(Washington, Nov. 14) - - The AFL-CIO and UFCW today welcomed OSHA’s announcement that the agency will finally issue the rule requiring employers to pay for personal protective safety equipment - a measure that will prevent tens of thousands of workplaces injuries every year. 

 

“It is unfortunate that nine years have passed since the rule was proposed, and that it took a lawsuit by the unions and Congressional intervention before the Bush Administration would act,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.  “America’s working men and women deserve the proper equipment to keep them safe on the job, each and every day, and we will thoroughly review this rule to make sure it protects them.”

 

“Workers have spoken out for this rule and now Congress and the courts have forced the DOL to act.  Our members will be watching to see this rule is enforced in every workplace,” said Joseph Hansen, UFCW International President.  “Workers should no longer be required to dip into their own pocket to keep themselves safe from harm at work.”

 

Both the litigation and the FY 2008 Labor-HHS funding bill set a deadline of November 30, 2007 for final action by OSHA.

 

This rule is a basic requirement that codifies OSHA’s long-standing policy that it is the employer’s responsibility to pay the cost of protecting workers from safety and health hazards.  The rule makes clear that employers must pay for hard hats, goggles, face shields, chemical resistant suits, and other required safety equipment.  It does, however, include some exemptions from the employer payment requirements, most notably for safety shoes and prescription safety glasses that can be worn off the job.

 

The AFL-CIO and UFCW will be reviewing the rule in detail to determine if it provides workers with the level of protection that is needed and required by law.