Final answer:
Even if an employee provides their own PPE, the employer is still responsible for ensuring it is adequate and properly maintained. Employers must follow OSHA standards to provide a safe working environment, which includes providing safety training and reducing risks by implementing safety measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the employee provides his or her own personal protective equipment (PPE), the employer is still responsible for ensuring that the equipment is adequate, properly maintained, and sufficiently protective against workplace hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must provide safe working conditions and reduce risks by implementing safety measures and by providing required PPE at no cost to workers.
Employers are tasked with conducting hazard assessments and determining the necessary PPE while ensuring compliance with applicable OSHA standards. Additionally, employers have the duty to provide workers with training and information on the correct use and maintenance of PPE. They must also ensure that any provided PPE is of safe design and construction, and that it is maintained in a clean and reliable condition.
It is crucial to note that the underlying responsibility for worker safety always resides with the employer, even if an employee opts to use their own protective gear. This includes offering safety training, keeping records of workplace injuries, and posting OSHA citations, as well as meeting all other requirements set forth by OSHA to ensure a safe and healthful workplace.