Which organization sets the standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

The organization that sets the standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). OSHA is responsible for establishing and enforcing workplace safety regulations in the United States. Part of their role involves creating standards that ensure workers are protected from health and safety hazards, which includes the proper use and specifications of PPE.

OSHA sets forth requirements regarding the types of PPE that must be provided by employers, the circumstances under which it should be used, and guidelines for its proper maintenance. This ensures that employees are adequately protected while performing their job duties in potentially hazardous environments.

While other organizations like NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) focus on research and recommendations regarding occupational safety and health, including PPE testing and certification, they do not set the mandatory standards that employers must follow. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) provide guidance on public health issues, but they are not regulatory agencies that set specific workplace standards for PPE.