OSHA generally requires your employer to provide task-required PPE, including protective gloves, safety glasses and hard hats, at no cost to you. Exceptions include ordinary gloves used only to protect against the weather; protective gloves your task requires are not part of that exception. OSHA’s payment rule covers general industry and construction, and it says the employer shall not require you to provide or pay for your own PPE outside those exceptions. Ask your employer for the hard hat and eye protection your task needs; you do not need to buy them.
Fit and task come first
- Hard hat. Your employer selects head protection for the hazards of your task, and electrical hazards often call for a Class E hard hat. OSHA notes Class E helmets are proof-tested at 20,000 volts, and that the test voltage is not the voltage the helmet protects you from. Adjust the suspension so it sits level and stays on when you look down.
- Eye protection. OSHA’s construction rule points to ANSI Z87.1, or eye protection shown to be at least as effective. Where flying objects are a hazard, OSHA requires side protection, and some tasks call for goggles or a face shield instead of glasses. Pick a pair that fits snugly without pressing on your nose.
- Gloves. Match the glove to the task: leather or synthetic for handling material, cut-resistant for sharp edges. Ordinary work gloves are not rated for live electrical work.
Free tool: who pays for this item?
Pick an item to see the general OSHA rule. Your exact task decides which protection is required. An employer can pay for more than OSHA requires, but not less, so confirm with your supervisor.
Everyday handling gloves, if your employer approves them
Starting your first year as a Texas apprentice? The US$19 Texas First-Year Electrical Apprentice Kit gives you printable pages for the first months on the job: a tool-check card, a who-to-ask list with a short stop-and-ask script, emergency-contact and heat-and-rest cards, plus a Tool budget sheet and a Tool inventory sheet (CSV).
Log your Texas Journeyman hours free. A free Tsai Electro account keeps your supervised hours, your online practice scores and your exam date in one place. Start with a five-question check to see which topic to practice next.
Hard hats, eye protection and hazard-specific gloves your task requires come from your employer. Some apprentices keep their own pair of general handling gloves for comfort; check with your supervisor first. These gloves are not rated for live electrical work.
Mechanix Wear Utility Work Gloves (touchscreen capable)
General handling gloves for material and tools. Not for live electrical work.
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See the Utility gloves on AmazonPrices and stock change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy.
