1926.95(a): Providing and Maintaining Protective Equipment
Employers must provide protective equipment wherever hazards from processes, the environment, chemicals, radiation or mechanical irritants could cause injury through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. This includes eye, face, head and extremity protection, protective clothing, respirators and shields and barriers, and it must be used and kept in sanitary and reliable condition.
Key takeaways
- 1926.95(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 255 times in the last 3 years, in 255 inspections, with $889,651 in current penalties.
- 10 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (36), TX (30), FL (17).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.95(a) ("Application") is one requirement inside 1926.95 Criteria for personal protective equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart E). 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
(a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. 255 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.95.
Injuries linked to this rule
10 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.95(a).
The employee was operating a rubber-tired roller and assisting with the construction of a road into the site. The employee jumped from the roller when it went off the road surface. The roller struck the employee as it rolled on its side causing multiple fatal…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 88 |
| 2026 | 54 |
Top states: VA (36), TX (30), FL (17), IN (15), PR (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,742 |
| MDM & SONS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | PERRYSBURG, OH | $30,420 |
| HYPOWER, LLC | FORT MYERS, FL | $16,550 |
| CANTERA CONCRETE COMPANY LLC. | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $16,550 |
| WILLIAM A. HAZEL, INC. | WOODBRIDGE, VA | $16,285 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.95(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Laundering responsibilities for fire retarding (FR) clothing provided to employees (2015-06-01)
- Use of gloves by masons (2010-02-02)
- Whether employees who are verifying that an electrical system is de-energized or are turning off circuit breakers are required to use personal protective equipment (2008-02-29)
- Requirements for carrying and stacking lumber with nails. (2006-01-25)
- Determining the need for hard hat and eye protection on construction sites. (2004-11-17)
- Fall protection is not required where there is no feasible means of providing it while working on vehicles or trailers. (2004-03-10)
- Requirements for providing seatbelts for drivers whose size precludes their using seatbelts. (2004-02-04)
- OSHA regulations governing the use of personal protective equipment. (1976-12-02)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When is protective equipment required in construction?
Wherever it is necessary because of hazards that can cause injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
What kinds of equipment are included?
Personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers.
What condition must PPE be kept in?
A sanitary and reliable condition.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.95 (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 2026-10-20
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.