I remember one year during a fit testing campaign, we ran out of size S nitrile gloves, and the only gloves left available were XL.
Preparing a full-face mask for fit testing is a finicky task that requires dexterity, so when I had to wear extra-large gloves while trying to get a tube through a hole, I became stressed and angry and started muttering phrases not suitable for polite conversation.
Luckily, this wasn’t a dangerous situation. I was wearing the gloves for hygiene reasons, and there was no risk of injury due to this ill-fitting PPE. However, in other workplaces, this could look very different. That is why I welcome OSHA’s new standard regarding PPE.
In December 2024, OSHA revised its construction PPE standard, which now states:
PPE must properly fit the worker.
Not should. Not ideally. Must.
Why Is This Necessary?
If PPE does not fit the worker, it can become a hazard or even create new hazards:
- Loose gloves being caught in machinery
- Fall protection harnesses that are too big and slip off before a fall
- Safety goggles that leave gaps, allowing debris to enter the eye
- Trousers that are too long, creating a tripping hazard
Yet despite these risks, many workers, especially women or smaller-bodied individuals, are still given “standard-sized” gear that doesn’t fit at all.
(Quick shoutout to a podcast episode I did recently with Amy Roosa where we discuss this in detail)
Real People, Real Consequences
In OSHA’s documentation, there are stories from dozens of workers.
One woman described how her oversized gloves got caught in a pulley while working on an AC unit, which resulted in a sprained wrist, torn ligaments, fractured fingers, and nerve damage .
Another employee stated that they often had to buy their own gloves because their employer claimed there weren’t any gloves small enough available for them.
I’ve heard similar stories here in Europe too. One worker had to wear shoes that were too small because they couldn’t find a suitable size 49 (UK size 14 / US size 15).
And the risk is clear: when PPE is uncomfortable or doesn’t fit, it won’t be worn.
Not Just Safety – Also Inclusion
This isn’t just about safety. It’s about belonging . When a company doesn’t bother to stock equipment that fits your body, the message is clear: “You weren’t expected to be here.”
That’s what many tradeswomen have been saying for years. And while there has been progress (credit to the manufacturers who do offer inclusive sizing), this rule sends a clear signal to the industry: “Do better.”
The EU Already Has This — Sort Of
For us in Europe, this might sound familiar. The EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 requires manufacturers to make PPE that can be adjusted to fit the user — see Annex II, 1.3.1.
PPE must be designed and manufactured in such a way as to facilitate its correct positioning on the user and to remain in place for the foreseeable period of use, bearing in mind ambient factors, the actions to be carried out, and the postures to be adopted. For this purpose, it must be possible to adapt the PPE to fit the morphology of the user by all appropriate means, such as adequate adjustment and attachment systems or the provision of an adequate range of sizes.
However, the obligation sits with the manufacturer , not the employer.
In contrast, the U.S. rule explicitly makes it the employer’s duty to ensure that PPE fits the worker who wears it .
That’s a significant step forward and one worth watching as a global precedent.
So What Now?
If you’re in safety or procurement, here’s what this means:
- Review your sizing options. If “small” is the smallest glove size on offer, you’re probably excluding people. Are your safety shoes available from EU size 35 (UK 2) to EU size 50 (UK 15)?
- Listen to feedback. If someone says the PPE doesn’t fit, listen to them. It’s not a fashion complaint.
- Audit your inventory. Do you stock harnesses, goggles, boots, and clothing that fit a range of sizes? Or are you still relying on one-size-fits-none?
- Get your suppliers involved. Many already offer better sizing, you might just not be ordering it.
A Call to Action
The new U.S. rule is a good step. But it’s still just a start. Making PPE that fits, and making sure everyone has access to it isn’t just an administrative task. It’s a human one.
If we want more people in the trades, especially women and younger workers, we need to make sure their basic safety needs are met. That includes being able to move, breathe, and work in PPE that doesn’t endanger them.
Because PPE that doesn’t fit isn’t PPE .
(By the way: I aim to keep all my content free and unbiased. I don’t accept sponsorships for these articles, and I intend to keep it that way. If you’d like to support this creative work, you’re very welcome to buy me a coffee — but there’s absolutely no obligation!. https://coff.ee/ldsafety )
Sources
https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-national-news-release/20241211
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