Can you charge employees for safety equipment?

Question

My companies owner asked me to find out if he can or can not charge for safety equipment, i search the OSHA site but did not not find anything. We are cable tv installation contractors we generally charge our employees for there fall protection gear. I personaly disagree with charging for anything when you are an employee but that is not my call. Thank you all for your help....Ray

Answer 1

Better to charge a deposit = to the cost.

Even better to just give it free.

Law suits cost even more.

But, yes he can.

Answer 2

The current interpretation is that the employer must pay in all but a few cases.  The current OSHA interpretation is given in the reference.

Answer 3

You can reqire employees pay for safety equipment IF they earn 2x the minumum wage.

I would never charge employees for safety equipment and have succesfully augued with empolyers against charging based on the fact that the company wants to fully encourge/require the employee to use the equipment at all times.

Answer 4

Ray,

Badhabyt is correct to a point it is now law that employeers purchase a majority of PPE..

132(h)(7)

This paragraph (h) shall become effective on February 13, 2008. Employers must implement the PPE payment requirements no later than May 15, 2008.

Here is link to standard:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp....