Is my employer required to provide and pay for personal protective equipment?

A: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “the duty to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) of all types, including respirators, and training to employees is a duty owed to each employee. The employer must provide PPE to each employee who needs it and train each employee who must be informed of job hazards.”

As far as covering the cost of PPE, an employer often will require a worker to supply his or her own safety shoes and certain protective clothing but this is told in advance.