Who Should Pay for Personal Protective Equipment?

AT A GLANCE

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE refers to specialized clothing or equipment designed to protect employees/workers against safety and health hazards that may cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. (Section 3(ee), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order No. 252, Series of 2025)

What is a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE refers to specialized clothing or equipment designed to protect employees/workers against safety and health hazards that may cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. (Section 3(ee), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order No. 252, Series of 2025)

Duties of Employers

Under Section 4(a)(5) of Republic Act No. 11058, employers are required to comply with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards including training, medical examination, and where necessary, provision of protective and safety devices such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and machine guards.

This shows that the provision of PPE is part of the employer’s statutory duty to ensure a safe and healthful workplace. 

Who should pay for PPEs?

Under Section 8 of Republic Act 11058 or the Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.

It provides for the worker’s rights to PPEs. It states:

“Section 8. Workers’ Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). – Every employer, contractor or subcontractor, if any, shall provide his workers, free of charge, protective equipment for their eyes, face, hands and feet, and free, and lifeline, safety belt or harness, gas or dust respirators or masks, protective shields whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous work process or environment, chemical, radiological, mechanical and other irritants or hazards capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. The cost of the PPE shall be part of the safety and health program which is a separate pay item pursuant to Section 20 of this Act. xxx.” (Emphasis Supplied)

Thus, it is clear that the cost of the PPEs shall be shouldered by the employer. The cost of the PPE is treated as part of the operations cost of the employers.

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