Results of a nationwide telephone survey of employers on patterns of personal protective equipment (PPE) payment and use are available for review and comment, OSHA announced June 24.
OSHA particularly seeks comments on how the proposed rule to require employers to pay for most PPE would affect the shipyard industry. Shipbuilders Council of America contacted the agency with concerns about the proposal's potential impact on its members. The council informed OSHA that the cost of welding gloves and other PPE, especially "leathers" worn to protect employees against welding sparks, slag and molten metal, often is covered in collective bargaining agreements.
The survey is available in the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20210 or by calling (202)693-2350. Cost to have the 401-page survey mailed is $60.15, which can be billed.
Use the same address to send written comments, which must be postmarked by July 23. Commentors should identify the document as a comment, notice of intention to appear, testimony or documentary evidence. The latter must be submitted in quadruplicate.
Comments also may be submitted electronically by July 23 at www.osha-slc.gov/e-comments/e-comments-ppe.html. Studies, journal articles and similar documents cannot be attached to the electronic response and must be submitted in quadruplicate to the OSHA Docket Office.
A public hearing on the PPE proposal will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 10 in the auditorium of the Labor Department (Frances Perkins Building) and may continue to Aug. 20. Notices of intention to appear must be postmarked by July 16.