The Department of Labor and Industries recently issued a permanent rule allowing employees to bring in their own personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in the workplace, including hospitals. WSHA lobbied successfully for important limitations on such use. The rule sets specific guidelines for when employee’s voluntary use would be prohibited.
Specifically, the PPE provided and brought into the workplace by the employee cannot introduce a hazard into the workplace, interfere with workplace security requirements or conflict with Department of Health or L&I requirements. WSHA advocated for these protections to ensure existing hospital infection control and safety procedures would not be jeopardized. The effective date for the rule is Oct. 1. For any questions, please contact Remy Kerr (Remy Kerr).
Read the rule:
