Final answer:
It is generally false that employees are responsible for providing their own PPE; OSHA requires employers to provide adequate PPE and ensure its proper maintenance and sanitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that employees can provide their own PPE equipment, and it is their responsibility to assure it is adequate is generally false. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, employers have the primary responsibility for providing a safe workplace. This includes the responsibility to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and to ensure that it is adequate for the hazards present. Employers must also ensure the proper maintenance and sanitation of the PPE. While employees are responsible for their own safety and that of others, and must use the PPE properly, the ultimate responsibility for providing and maintaining workplace safety, including PPE, rests with the employer.
Personal protective equipment is essential, especially for medical personnel and other workers facing dangerous conditions, to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. Employers are obligated to train workers on the proper use of PPE and must ensure it fits comfortably, which is crucial for it to be effective.