Washington State Proposes PPE Rule Update for Construction Workers
Washington DOSH proposes new construction PPE rules emphasizing proper fit.
Why it matters: Construction legal and compliance teams must monitor these changes to ensure workplace safety and advise clients on evolving regulatory requirements.
- Proposal filed October 6, 2026, by Washington State DOSH to update construction PPE rules.
- Update aligns state PPE standards with federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.95(c) effective January 2025.
- New rule explicitly requires employers to ensure PPE fits each employee properly.
- Public hearings set for November 10 and 16, 2026, with comments accepted through November 23, 2026.
- Rule intended for adoption on March 2, 2027, includes minor clarifications and fixes.
On October 6, 2026, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) proposed updated regulations for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. This move aims to bring Washington's requirements into alignment with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, specifically 29 CFR 1926.95(c), which became effective on January 13, 2025.
A key change in the proposed rule is the explicit obligation for employers to provide PPE that fits each affected employee properly. According to Occupational Health & Safety, equipment that does not fit correctly may reduce protection, introduce hazards, or discourage use altogether.
However, neither the Washington proposal nor the federal OSHA standard define what constitutes "properly fitting" PPE, leaving interpretation to employers and safety professionals.
DOSH has scheduled two virtual public hearings for stakeholders to provide input: November 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time and November 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The public comment period will remain open until November 23, 2026. Following this, DOSH plans to adopt the revised rule on March 2, 2027.
Beyond the fit requirement, the update includes minor clarifications, formatting improvements, and typographical corrections to streamline compliance.
Legal and compliance teams in construction and labor sectors should stay abreast of this development to guide clients in managing risk and adhering to evolving occupational safety standards in Washington.
By the numbers:
- November 10 & 16, 2026 — Virtual hearings on proposed PPE rules
- November 23, 2026 — Public comment period deadline
- March 2, 2027 — Date Washington DOSH intends to adopt updated PPE rule
Yes, but: The proposed rule does not specify what constitutes "properly fitting" PPE, which could lead to inconsistent interpretations.
What's next: Stakeholders should participate in the scheduled hearings or submit comments by November 23, 2026, ahead of the March 2027 adoption.