Employers are required to provide PPE, but are they required to enforce its use?

Employers are indeed required to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees in order to ensure a safe working environment. However, the responsibility for enforcing its use often depends on the specific regulations and workplace policies in place.

In many cases, while the provision of PPE is mandatory, the enforcement policies around its usage may not be explicitly defined as a requirement for employers. Employers might encourage, educate, and promote the use of PPE as part of their health and safety programs, but the actual enforcement—meaning mandating that employees wear the PPE as instructed—can be more nuanced. The effectiveness of PPE relies heavily on proper utilization by employees. Therefore, while it's beneficial and often expected that employers will have rules in place regarding PPE use, strict enforcement may vary based on the organizational culture, training provided, and local regulations.

In summary, while providing PPE is a clear obligation for employers, the enforcement aspect can be less stringent and may not be a defined requirement in all cases.