PPE for Visitors & Short-Term Workers
Visitors, inspectors, delivery drivers, clients, temp workers and day laborers are at risk on a jobsite or in a plant, and they often know the least about the hazards. A good visitor program keeps them safe with a quick orientation, the right protective gear and an escort. It also protects the host, who is responsible for conditions on the site.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Visitors
Who counts as a visitor or short-term worker
- Visitors: owners, clients, architects, engineers, inspectors, insurance staff, reporters, school groups and tour guests.
- Delivery drivers and vendors who come onto the site briefly. See Visitors & Deliveries.
- Temporary and day workers, and new workers on their first day, who need training and PPE immediately. See First Day Checklist and Young Workers.
- Government inspectors, such as OSHA, building and fire inspectors, who need PPE as well.
Who is responsible
- OSHA’s PPE rules protect employees, but the site’s controlling employer has a duty to keep the workplace safe and to address recognized hazards, which includes visitors. Many contractors and building owners also have rules and insurance requirements for visitors. See Multi-Employer Worksites and Employer Responsibilities.
- Each employer must provide and pay for the PPE its own workers need (29 CFR 1910.132(h) and 1926.95), with limited exceptions. See Buying Your Own PPE.
- Visitors from other companies should arrive with their own required PPE where possible, and the host should have loaner gear for those who don’t.
A simple visitor process
- Sign in at a gate or office. Record the name, company, who they are visiting, time in and out. This also supports emergency headcounts. See Headcounts & Accountability After Evacuation.
- Brief orientation before entering, which takes only a few minutes: hazards on site, restricted areas, traffic routes, PPE rules, where to go in an emergency, and who to ask for help. Use a short script, video or handout in the visitor’s language. See Site Orientation.
- Issue PPE that fits, and show how to wear it. Check that it’s worn correctly before they go in.
- Assign an escort for visitors who don’t know the site. The escort stays with them, keeps them out of hazardous areas and watches for changing conditions.
- Sign out and collect loaner gear, which also confirms that everyone has left.
Basic PPE for most sites
| Item | Notes for visitors |
|---|---|
| Hard hat | Required where there is a danger from falling or flying objects, or overhead work. Make sure it fits and sits on the head correctly. See Hard Hats |
| Safety glasses with side shields | Provide a pair that goes over prescription glasses where needed. See Eye & Face Protection and Prescription Safety Glasses |
| High-visibility vest or shirt | Required near traffic and equipment. See High-Visibility Clothing |
| Safety footwear | Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with slip-resistant soles are the minimum. Safety-toe boots may be required. Visitors who can’t bring boots should stay in safe walkways. See Foot Protection |
| Hearing protection | Required in loud areas. Offer disposable earplugs. See Hearing Protection |
| Gloves | As needed for the tour, such as cut-resistant or work gloves |
| Long pants and sleeves | Many sites don’t allow shorts, sandals or loose clothing |
Other tasks and areas may need special PPE, such as flame-resistant clothing or arc-rated gear near electrical equipment. Visitors should stay out of areas that need that kind of protection unless they are trained and equipped. See Flame-Resistant Clothing and Arc Flash PPE Categories.
Areas visitors should not enter
- Respirator-required areas. Respirators need a medical evaluation, fit testing and training before use, which visitors won’t have had. Keep visitors out. See Respiratory Protection, Respirator Medical Evaluation and Fit Testing.
- Confined spaces, trenches, roofs and edges, energized electrical rooms, crane and lift zones, hot work areas and any area with unprotected fall hazards.
- Active demolition, blasting, heavy equipment paths and areas with hazardous chemicals.
- Any area the escort or posted signs say is off limits.
If a visitor has a legitimate need to enter a high-hazard area, such as an inspector, ensure that they have the training and PPE required, and are escorted by someone qualified.
Fit, hygiene and care of loaner PPE
- Keep a range of sizes of hard hats, vests and gloves, and glasses that fit over prescription frames. Poorly fitting PPE gets removed or doesn’t work. See Proper PPE Fit.
- Clean and sanitize shared PPE between users: wipe hard hat suspensions and sweatbands, clean glasses, and provide disposable earplugs rather than sharing. Don’t share respirators. See Sharing PPE & Hygiene.
- Inspect loaner gear regularly for damage and age. Replace cracked hard hats and scratched lenses. See PPE Inspection & Care.
- Store gear where visitors can get it easily at the entry, in a clean, labeled place.
- Let visitors with medical conditions or special needs (for example hearing aids, pacemakers near equipment, or pregnancy) tell the host about concerns, and plan accordingly. See PPE for pregnant workers.
Short-term workers and temps
- Temporary and day workers need the same training and PPE as permanent workers doing the same job. Both the staffing agency and the host employer share responsibility. See Training Requirements.
- Do a hazard assessment for the specific job. See PPE Hazard Assessment.
- Make sure they know how to wear, adjust and care for PPE, and who to tell about problems. See Mentoring New Workers.
- Don’t let temps do dangerous tasks without training and the right gear.
Visitor PPE checklist
- Visitors sign in and out, and get a short orientation
- Loaner hard hats, glasses, vests and earplugs in a range of sizes, clean and undamaged
- Visitors wear PPE correctly before entering, and have an escort
- No visitors in respirator areas, confined spaces or other high-hazard zones
- Shared PPE cleaned between users; earplugs not shared
- Temps get the same training and PPE as permanent workers
Standards & references
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