Woman wearing safety vest cleaning office desk with disinfectant bottle and cloth in modern office. Sanitization, ppe, gloves, mask, protective eyewear, facility management, open‑plan


Industry groups are petitioning the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to expedite updates to regulations on personal protective equipment (PPE). These guidelines would align with the national consensus standards to improve worker safety. Current references to PPE align with standards dated back to 1989, 1998, and 2008.

Overall, the revised editions would enhance eye and face protection by improving instruction clarity and minimizing exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Workplace first aid kits are also subject to changes, such as providing task-appropriate supplies and guidance in multiple languages. Safety organizations stress the importance of accelerating these updates to ensure product compliance adheres to modern safety standards.

The petition summarizes that these new protocols could improve worker safety without impacting operational costs. Moreover, the updates reflect modern needs and reinforce regulations that have been embraced by the industry.

Industry members who signed this petition are:

  • American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
  • ABSA International, The Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
  • American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
  • Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)
  • Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)
  • International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)
  • National Safety Council (NSC)
  • The Vision Council


To read the petition, click here.