Final answer:
Specialty safety-toe protective footwear and specialty prescription safety eyewear may not need to be paid for by the employer, especially if they are usable off the job. Employers are generally responsible for providing PPE like long-sleeved shirts for winter work and replacements for damaged PPE.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to which Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item does not need to be purchased by the employer. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers are required to provide most types of PPE at no cost to the employee. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For instance, specialty safety-toe protective footwear and specialist prescription safety eyewear that are personal to the worker and usable outside of work may not have to be paid for by the employer. On the other hand, long-sleeved shirts for outside winter work or new PPE to replace items that were unintentionally damaged through use are typically provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.
The correct answer to this question is that specialty safety-toe protective footwear and specialty prescription safety eyewear are typically items that may not need to be covered by the employer, especially if they are usable off the job. Meanwhile, employers are expected to provide and maintain PPE like long-sleeved shirts for winter work and replacement PPE for items damaged during work.
It's important for workers to follow protocol when it comes to safety gear, maintain personal hygiene, and know the location of safety equipment. Avoiding flashy or revealing clothes is also recommended to prevent distractions and hazards on the job.