1910.132(h)(1): Employer Pays for PPE
Except as provided in the listed exceptions, employers must provide the protective equipment, including PPE, used to comply with OSHA's general industry rules at no cost to employees.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(h)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 46 times in the last 3 years, in 46 inspections, with $60,179 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (8), IL (5), OH (3).
- Related part: 1910.132(h) Payment for protective equipment (52 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(h)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) Except as provided by paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, shall be provided by the employer at no cost to employees. 46 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.132(h)(1).
At 12:30 a.m. on January 31, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a heavy equipmentoperator for an oil and gas support contractor. Employee #1 was performing maintenance on a centrifuge that was operating at a well drilling location. Employee #1 had removed one of the…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TX (8), IL (5), OH (3), NC (3), VA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DERKSEN PORTABLE BUILDINGS | HARLINGEN, TX | $6,620 |
| SUBURBAN SURGICAL CO. | WHEELING, IL | $6,500 |
| NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY - FACILITIES DEPARTMENT | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $6,300 |
| 67974 - MASON COUNTY FISCAL COURT ROAD DEPARTMENT | SARDIS, KY | $6,300 |
| 67709 - SALT RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CORPORATION | BARDSTOWN, KY | $4,900 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(h)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.132(h) Payment for protective equipment 52 citations
- 1910.132(h)(6) 3 citations
- 1910.132(h)(5) 3 citations
- 1910.132(h)(4)
- 1910.132(h)(3)
- 1910.132(h)(2)
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Frequently asked questions
Who pays for required PPE?
The employer, at no cost to employees, except as provided in 1910.132(h)(2) through (h)(6).
Does this include all protective equipment?
It covers protective equipment, including PPE, used to comply with this part.
Are there exceptions?
Yes. The exceptions are listed in paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(6).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.132 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.