1910.132(d)(1): Assess hazards, then select and fit PPE
The employer must assess the workplace to find hazards that are present, or likely to be present, that call for personal protective equipment. If there are such hazards, the employer must select the types of PPE that protect against them and have each affected employee use it, tell each affected employee about the selection decisions, and choose PPE that properly fits each affected employee.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(d)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 1,868 times in the last 3 years, in 1,840 inspections, with $5,987,999 in current penalties.
- 41 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (175), NJ (123), VA (107).
- Related part: 1910.132(d) Hazard assessment and equipment selection (4,647 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: 1,868 citations
(i) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; Open (d)(1)(i) 297 citations
(ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and, Open (d)(1)(ii) 14 citations
(iii) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Open (d)(1)(iii) 24 citations
Non-mandatory appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Injuries linked to this rule
41 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.132(d)(1).
At 5:45 p.m. on February 3, 2025, Employee #1 attempted to charge a dead vehicle battery on the second level of a car carrier. He fell through an open space where a vehicle would normally be positioned and sustained fatal injuries.
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 | 128 |
| 2024 | 599 |
| 2025 | 670 |
| 2026 | 471 |
Top states: PR (175), NJ (123), VA (107), ME (94), TX (92)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $684,390 |
| GAGE TREE SERVICE LLC | CHUGIAK, AK | $99,308 |
| INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC. | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $59,580 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $54,000 |
| KROGER FULFILLMENT NETWORK, LLC | MIDDLETOWN, OH | $50,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA's Head Protection Requirements and Selection and Use of Type II Safety Helmets (2026-08-17)
- Cranes and the use of protective helmets (2024-06-06)
- Hazard assessments for PPE at disaster clean-up sites with multiple employers (2024-03-28)
- Employer Personal Protective Equipment Workplace Hazard Assessment For Footwear (2013-12-09)
- Requirements of the HCS and the employer's ability to rely on a manufacturer's hazard determination. (2008-12-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.132(d) Hazard assessment and equipment selection 4,647 citations
- 1910.132(d)(2) 2,779 citations
- 1910.132(d)(1)(i) 297 citations
- 1910.132(d)(1)(iii) 24 citations
- 1910.132(d)(1)(ii) 14 citations
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
Who chooses the PPE?
The employer selects the types of PPE that will protect affected employees from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment.
Does PPE have to fit each worker?
Yes. The employer must select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.
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 2026-10-20
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.