1910.132(c): Safe Design of PPE
Employers must make sure all personal protective equipment is of safe design and construction for the work to be performed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $49,687 in current penalties.
- Most citations: KY (1), IL (1), MA (1).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(c) ("Design") 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
(c) Design. All personal protective equipment shall be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: KY (1), IL (1), MA (1), IA (1), PR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HELMERICH & PAYNE INTERNATIONAL DRILLING CO. | PECOS, TX | $17,000 |
| AMES COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | AMES, IA | $14,063 |
| PCN INC. | KAMUELA, HI | $8,276 |
| 66654 - CC METALS AND ALLOYS LLC | CALVERT CITY, KY | $4,250 |
| MASA MILLING, INC. | GREENVILLE, IL | $3,227 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
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Frequently asked questions
What does this rule require?
All PPE must be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed.
Does it apply to all PPE?
Yes. It says all personal protective equipment.
Can PPE be fine for one job but not another?
Yes. It must be safe for the work being performed.
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.