OSHA Safety Equipment Requirements for Commercial Buildings

OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910 (general industry) is the federal regulation that governs safety equipment in nearly every commercial workplace in the United States. The regulation sets the requirement; the ANSI consensus standards (Z87.1, Z89.1, Z358.1, etc.) define what 'compliant' means at the product level. Here's the working facility manager's overview.

Hazard assessment first (1910.132)

Before buying anything, OSHA requires a documented hazard assessment for each work area. The PPE you provide must match the hazards identified. Walk every space, list the hazards (impact, splash, dust, noise, heat, electrical, fall), and document what PPE is required for each. Refresh annually.

Eye and face protection (1910.133, ANSI Z87.1)

Required wherever flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids/caustics, chemical gases or vapors, or harmful light radiation could injure the eyes.

• Safety glasses (Z87.1): Impact-rated, side shields required for most industrial work
• Splash goggles: Liquid chemical handling, batteries, lab work
• Face shields: Grinding, cutting, splash hazards (worn over safety glasses)
• Welding helmets: ANSI Z87.1 + ANSI Z49.1 for shade rating

All Z87.1 product is marked 'Z87' or 'Z87+' (the + denotes high-impact rating).

Head protection (1910.135, ANSI Z89.1)

Required where there's a danger of head injury from impact, falling objects, or electrical shock.

• Type I: protects from impact to the top of the head
• Type II: protects from impact to the top AND sides
• Class G (General): 2,200 V dielectric
• Class E (Electrical): 20,000 V dielectric, for utility/electrical work
• Class C (Conductive): no electrical protection (lighter weight)

Replace hard hats every 5 years (or per manufacturer) and after any impact.

Foot protection (1910.136, ASTM F2413)

Required where there's a danger of foot injury from falling/rolling objects, sharp objects, or electrical hazards. Look for ASTM F2413 markings: I/75 (impact, 75 ft-lbs), C/75 (compression, 2,500 lbs), EH (electrical hazard), PR (puncture-resistant), Mt (metatarsal).

Hand protection (1910.138)

Required where hands are exposed to skin absorption hazards, severe cuts, lacerations, abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, or harmful temperature extremes. ANSI/ISEA 105 rates cut resistance (A1 lowest to A9 highest).

Hearing protection (1910.95)

Required where 8-hour time-weighted average exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA. Hearing conservation program (audiometric testing, training, monitoring) required at the same threshold. PPE must reduce exposure to ≤90 dBA (or ≤85 dBA for employees in the program).

Hi-vis apparel (1910.132, ANSI/ISEA 107)

Required wherever workers are exposed to vehicle traffic. Three classes:

• Class 1: minimum visibility, slow-traffic environments (warehouse, parking lots)
• Class 2: daytime road work, public works
• Class 3: high-speed traffic, low-light, highway work

Emergency eyewash and showers (1910.151, ANSI Z358.1)

Required wherever the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. ANSI Z358.1 sets the product spec:

• Eyewash: 0.4 GPM minimum for 15 minutes, 60–100°F tepid water, within 10 seconds / 55 ft of the hazard
• Safety shower: 20 GPM minimum for 15 minutes, same temperature and reach requirements
• Combination units: required where both whole-body and eye exposure are possible
• Weekly activation testing required to flush stagnant water and verify operation

Tepid water (60–100°F) requires a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) in most installations. Cold tap water can cause hypothermia during a 15-minute flush.

First aid (1910.151)

Required in every workplace. The first aid kit must be 'adequate' for the hazards present, located where it can be reached quickly, and inventoried regularly. ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 sets the minimum contents for Class A (general workplace) and Class B (high-hazard) kits.

Fall protection (1910 Subpart D, 1910.140)

Required wherever workers can fall 4 ft or more (general industry) or 6 ft (construction). Personal fall arrest systems must include a full-body harness (ANSI Z359.11), connecting device (lanyard or self-retracting lifeline), and an anchorage rated for 5,000 lbs per worker (or 2:1 safety factor on engineered anchors).

Lockout/tagout (1910.147)

Not a product per se, but the regulation requires written procedures, energy isolation devices (locks, lockout devices, multi-padlock hasps), and tags. Send us your lockout points and we will quote the devices.

Respiratory protection (1910.134)

Required wherever respiratory hazards can't be eliminated through engineering controls. Requires a written program, medical clearance, fit testing, and training in addition to the PPE itself. NIOSH-approved respirators only.

What to stock vs. what to spec individually

Most commercial facilities should keep these on hand at all times:

• Z87.1 safety glasses (visitor and employee use)
• Class A first aid kit
• Hi-vis vests (Class 2 minimum)
• Hearing protection (foam plugs at minimum)
• Lockout/tagout kit for facilities with electrical maintenance

Everything else should be specified based on the hazard assessment for the specific work being done.

Need help building a safety supply program?

Send us your facility type, headcount, and hazard assessment summary and we'll quote a starter PPE program. We also quote ANSI Z358.1 eyewash and shower fixtures with thermostatic mixing valves.