1910.132(b): Employee-Owned PPE
Where employees provide their own protective equipment, employers are responsible for making sure it is adequate, including properly maintained and sanitary.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $43,067 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (2), TX (2), NJ (1).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(b) ("Employee-owned equipment") 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
(b) Employee-owned equipment. Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment. 14 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Export the list: 14 inspections cited 1910.132(b) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.132(b).
At 11:30 a.m. on December 26, 2023, an employee working for a performing arts company was working in the rafters of a convention center setting up rigging to raise motors for lights and sound equipment. The employee fell from the rafters 32 feet to the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IL (2), TX (2), NJ (1), GA (1), TN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DIVISION 5 HOLDINGS, LLC | TALLAPOOSA, GA | $15,970 |
| SOONER, INC. | MIDLAND, TX | $5,000 |
| 67709 - SALT RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CORPORATION | BARDSTOWN, KY | $4,900 |
| WALLACE CONTROLS & ELECTRIC, INC | COVINGTON, TX | $4,635 |
| SUBURBAN SURGICAL CO. | WHEELING, IL | $4,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(b).
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Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible if I bring my own PPE?
The employer is responsible for assuring its adequacy.
What must the employer check?
That it is adequate, properly maintained and sanitary.
Can I use my own gear?
The rule allows it, but the employer must make sure it is adequate.
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 2026-11-06
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.