Numbers don’t lie, but sometimes they can be misleading. OSHA conducted fewer fatality investigations in fiscal 2024 than fiscal 2023 while recording fewer deaths involving trench collapses and falls. But that doesn’t mean the risk of death in construction is necessarily lower than before. It might mean, however, that the industry is getting smarter about how to protect workers. That starts with PPE.
For many years, the status quo for PPE was one size fits all. Customizing PPE for different body types is challenging because it requires balancing strict safety standards with a wide range of ergonomic designs, which increases production complexity and costs. Additionally, the economies of scale inherent in standard PPE manufacturing make it difficult to justify the expense and logistical hurdles of tailoring equipment to each individual’s dimensions. Nonetheless, the industry appears to be taking real action to avoid making those excuses.
“Proper-fitting PPE isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” says Kevin Cannon, senior director of safety and health services at the Associated General Contractors of America.
With a new OSHA mandate, industry initiatives from AGC and Autodesk, and updated safety standards from ANSI and ASSP, construction safety is undergoing a transformation that puts fit front and center.
OSHA Mandate: Fit Matters
On January 13, 2025, OSHA’s mandate for proper-fitting PPE officially took effect. This rule requires employers to provide PPE that fits each worker appropriately, a critical step for industries like construction, where ill-fitting gear has long been a hazard, especially for women and smaller-statured men.
“This isn’t asking employers to do more—it’s asking them to do better,” Cannon emphasized. “You’re already required to provide PPE; now it just needs to fit properly.”
The impact of ill-fitting PPE goes beyond discomfort—it directly affects worker safety and productivity. Oversized gloves can reduce dexterity, loose harnesses can fail during falls, and poorly fitting helmets may not protect against head injuries. This mandate ensures that PPE functions as intended, providing real protection for every worker, regardless of body type.
AGC and Autodesk Step Up
To address the gap, AGC partnered with Autodesk to launch a PPE Fit for Women Campaign, focusing on gloves, vests, and safety glasses—three items most often cited as ill-fitting.
“We launched the initiative in December and had to close it early because we hit our numbers so fast,” said Nazia Shah, director of safety and health at AGC. “The response was overwhelming—individuals, teams, entire worksites wanted access.”
While women remain the focus, Shah and Cannon were quick to point out the broader issue: “It’s not just women. Smaller men, larger men—PPE needs to fit everyone, from helmets to harnesses,” Shah noted.
The AGC-Autodesk initiative goes beyond simply distributing PPE. They are using the campaign as an opportunity to gather data from users about what works, what doesn’t, and where the industry still falls short. This feedback loop will inform future manufacturing decisions and safety standards, ensuring continuous improvement in PPE design.
ANSI/ISEA 105-2024: Performance Over Fit?
While the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 standard focuses primarily on hand protection performance—including cut, abrasion, and puncture resistance—it doesn’t explicitly address glove fit. Cannon acknowledged the gap: “Unless the standard specifically addresses fit, I’m not sure how much it advances our goal.”
However, the AGC-Autodesk initiative is collecting user feedback, which could inform future updates to ANSI standards. “We’re asking workers what’s missing—not just in gloves, but across all PPE,” Cannon said. “We’re sharing that data with manufacturers and industry groups like [the International Safety Equipment Association].”
The absence of fit requirements within the ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 standard highlights an industry challenge: how to standardize fit without compromising performance ratings. A glove that meets cut-resistance standards may still fail if it’s too loose or tight, reducing its protective effectiveness. Future updates may need to consider size variations alongside performance metrics.
Dr. Andrew Funk, chair of the Hand Protection Product Group at ISEA, emphasized during the recent ANSI webinar: “We designed the new marking system to clarify performance levels, but fit remains a challenge—the best glove for cut protection is useless if it’s slipping off a worker’s hand.”
ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025: Training as the Missing Link
The recently released ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025 standard offers another layer of support. It outlines best practices for safety training in construction, emphasizing hazard communication, hands-on demonstrations and continuous evaluation.
“Uniform practices for training construction personnel can create much safer jobsites,” said Gary Gustafson, Chair of the A10.2 subcommittee. “A key element of that training is communicating hazards and hazard controls with workers for each task.”
For PPE fit, this means training workers and supervisors not just on what gear to wear, but how it should fit and function in real-world conditions. “If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t protect,” Shah added.
Training sessions now include practical demonstrations where workers can try on various sizes, learn how to adjust harnesses, and understand how different glove fits affect grip and dexterity. Supervisors are being educated to identify improperly fitted PPE and ensure replacements are provided promptly.
“The new standards and training guidelines are a step forward,” Funk noted during the webinar. “But until manufacturers routinely offer diverse size options, we’re only halfway there.”
The Road Ahead: Fit, Train, Protect
As AGC and Autodesk move into the fulfillment phase of their campaign—timed to coincide with Women in Construction Week—they’re looking ahead.
“This isn’t just about handing out PPE,” Shah emphasized. “It’s about changing the culture—making fit as important as function.”
This cultural shift appears to be gaining momentum, with more manufacturers recognizing the business case for offering expanded size ranges. Proponents say properly fitting PPE reduces injury claims, boosts worker satisfaction, and enhances productivity—a win-win for employers and employees alike.
With OSHA’s mandate now law, ANSI standards evolving, and industry initiatives gaining momentum, proper-fitting PPE is no longer an afterthought—it’s the new standard for safety. The next challenge lies in ensuring enforcement and expanding fit-focused initiatives across all industries.
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