1926.95(d)(1): PPE Provided at No Cost
Construction employers must provide the protective equipment, including PPE, used to comply with the construction rules at no cost to employees, except for the items listed in the exceptions in paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(6).
Key takeaways
- 1926.95(d)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $40,754 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (9), VA (6), TX (4).
- Related part: 1926.95(d) Payment for protective equipment (30 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.95(d)(1) 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
(1) Except as provided by paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(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. 29 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.95.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.95(d)(1).
At 3:15 p.m. on June 5, 2024, employees noticed that their coworker, Employee #1, appeared unwell and advised him to go to the car and cool off in the air conditioning. About 15 minutes later, the employee was found on the ground experiencing convulsions. Emergency…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: FL (9), VA (6), TX (4), TN (2), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| G&G ENTERPRISE SERVICES LLC | APOPKA, FL | $8,067 |
| OZ COMMUNICATION LLC | DEFIANCE, OH | $4,839 |
| ENR REMODELING SOLUTIONS, INC. | WINTER GARDEN, FL | $4,610 |
| S R G ALL CONTRACTORS,INC | WINTER GARDEN, FL | $3,547 |
| J&Y HOUSE SERVICES LLC | ORLANDO, FL | $3,547 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.95(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.95(d)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.95(d) Payment for protective equipment 30 citations
Get your crew competent
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Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for PPE on construction sites?
The employer, at no cost to employees, except as provided in paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(6).
Does this include more than PPE?
Yes. It covers protective equipment, including personal protective equipment.
Where are the exceptions listed?
In paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(6) of 1926.95.
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 2026-10-19
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.