Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for
eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory
devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used,
and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is
necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical
hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a
manner capable of causing injury or impairment in function of any part
of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. Where
employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be
responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance and
sanitation of such equipment. All personal protective equipment shall be
of safe design and construction for the work to be performed.
[35 FR 1015, Jan. 24, 1970]
