OSHA Updates PPE Standards - What It Means for the Aerial Adventure Industry
Article written by: Technical Information, Research, and Education (TIRE) Committee
OSHA has updated its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry (1926.95(c)), now explicitly requiring that all PPE must fit properly. This change, effective January 13, 2025, aligns construction PPE requirements with those already in place for general industry (1910.132(d)(1)(iii)). The ruling highlights concerns about ill-fitting harnesses for women, emphasizing the need for a range of sizes and styles to accommodate different body types. However, this ruling applies to all PPE, not just harnesses.
For the aerial adventure course industry, this means increased accountability for ensuring harnesses, helmets, gloves, and other PPE fit correctly for all employees working at height. Ill-fitting equipment can compromise safety and effectiveness, and OSHA’s update reinforces the need for proper selection and sizing to prevent accidents and ensure compliance.
Risk Managers should review their PPE policies to confirm that gear is not only industry-approved but also properly fitted to each worker. This update highlights the importance of regularly assessing PPE to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for employees performing safety-critical tasks.
ACCT international acknowledges that while this update only applies to US construction workers, proper fitting PPE in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions is critical for all users. ACCT encourages all professionals throughout the world to provide and use appropriately fitting PPE for themselves, their staff, and their participants.