When respirators are required on lead-laden jobsites, who is responsible for supplying them?

In situations where respirators are required on lead-laden job sites, the responsibility for supplying them falls on the employer. This obligation stems from regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which mandates that employers provide personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for the health and safety of their employees. When dealing with hazardous materials like lead, employers must ensure that adequate respiratory protection is available to prevent exposure and ensure worker safety.

Employers are responsible for assessing workplace hazards, providing appropriate training on the selection and use of respirators, and ensuring that the supplied respirators are properly maintained and replaced as necessary. This responsibility is crucial as it directly relates to the health and safety compliance of the workplace, as well as to the legal obligations that employers have under occupational safety regulations.

In contrast, while employees do have certain responsibilities in using provided equipment correctly, it is not their duty to supply the equipment themselves. The government does set regulations and guidelines for safety standards but does not supply personal protective equipment directly. Contractors might have a role in certain projects, but the ultimate responsibility for PPE belongs to the employer who hires and supervises the workers.