On November 15, 2007, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule on Employer Payment for Personal Protected Equipment (PPE.) The rule requires employers to pay for almost all PPE as required under OSHA's general industry, construction and maritime standards.

The rule provides for some exceptions to payment of PPE. For example; employers are not required to pay for replacement PPE if an employee loses or intentionally damages the PPE, and any PPE an employee owns and voluntarily uses so long as the employer ensures it complies with OSHA standards.

Additionally, the rule provides for a few exceptions for ordinary non-specialty protective equipment such as steel-toe shoes and boots, prescription safety eyewear, everyday clothing, weather-related gear and logging boots.

The rule provides an enforcement deadline of six months from the date of publication to allow employers time to change their current PPE payment rules to comply with the final rule.