What is the main responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning PPE?

The primary responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) is to perform hazard assessment and identify necessary PPE. This entails evaluating workplace conditions to determine the types of hazards that employees might encounter, such as chemical, biological, or physical risks. Once these hazards are identified, OSHA provides guidelines and standards that establish the required PPE to mitigate those risks effectively.

This process ensures that workers are adequately protected while performing their duties and that employers understand their obligations to provide suitable PPE based on the identified hazards. By focusing on hazard assessment, OSHA plays a crucial role in proactively preventing workplace injuries and illnesses through proper equipment usage.

While other responsibilities related to workplace safety exist, such as enforcing compliance with safety standards or conducting inspections, the specific role of identifying and assessing PPE needs directly reflects OSHA’s mission to safeguard workers' health and safety.