Advocacy

Making Your Voice Heard

Advancing Policies That Protect 125 Million Workers

Regulations, standards, and legislation greatly influence the safety market. With ISEA, the safety equipment and PPE industry speaks with one voice to regulatory agencies like OSHA and NIOSH, policymakers, and standards development organizations.

ISEA works actively on behalf of the PPE and safety equipment industry by:

  • Acting as an early warning system about major policy and regulatory issues and initiatives
  • Informing & influencing government action by representing member interests on potential policies & regulations
  • Amplifying your voice by collaborating with partner organizations on critical issues

Asst. Secretary of Labor for Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) Doug Parker and NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard talking with ISEA Board Treasurer Wells Bullard.

Policy & OHS Issues

OSHA & NIOSH Funding

Every American worker deserves to go home safe at the end of the day. OSHA and NIOSH work hand-in-hand to make that a reality—protecting lives, supporting businesses, and driving economic growth. Learn more >>

Heat Stress

ISEA believes that a national heat stress standard is a crucial step towards protecting some of our most vulnerable workers performing tasks mission-critical to our economy.  Learn more >>

Head Protection

There are a lot of misconceptions about industrial head protection, and no one-size-fits all solution. The stakes couldn’t be higher: fewer than half of workers experiencing a fall-related head injury were wearing any head protection. Learn more >>

Safety at Heights

Every employer that sends workers to perform tasks at heights should have a comprehensive safety at heights program, including fall protection, dropped objects prevention, and heat or cold stress. Learn more >>
PPE fit Women

PPE Fit

It’s critical for all workers, including the over 8 million women who require PPE on the job, to have PPE that offers the appropriate protection and also fits correctly. Learn more >>
Safety at Heights

Right to Repair

To ensure the safety of the nation’s workers as well as product performance, certification, or compliance, ISEA believes that Right to Repair legislation must exempt all PPE and safety equipment. Learn more >>

ESG & Sustainability

The PPE and safety equipment industry plays a vital role in supporting customers’ ESG and sustainability objectives, and ensuring workers return home safely after their shift is over. Learn more >>
Safety at Heights

Pandemic Preparedness

ISEA advocates for direct and sustained support of domestic PPE production and procurement, including establishing warm manufacturing contracts and replenishing stockpiles. Learn more >>

Respirator Certification Funding

ISEA strongly supports funding for the Respirator Approval Program, through NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. Learn more >>

Option 2 - Policy & OHS Issues

Heat Stress

ISEA believes that a national heat stress standard is a crucial step towards protecting some of our most vulnerable workers performing tasks mission-critical to our economy.

Women & PPE

It’s critical for all workers, including the over 8 million women who require PPE on the job, to have PPE that offers the appropriate protection and also fits comfortably.

Pandemic Preparedness

ISEA advocates for direct and sustained support of domestic PPE production and procurement, including establishing warm manufacturing contracts and replenishing stockpiles.

Safety at Heights

Every employer that sends workers to perform tasks at heights should have a comprehensive safety at heights program, including fall protection, dropped objects prevention, and heat or cold stress.

ESG & Sustainability

The PPE and safety equipment industry plays a vital role in supporting customers’ ESG and sustainability objectives, and ensuring workers return home safely after their shift is over.

NPPTL Funding

ISEA strongly supports funding for the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory to establish personal protective technology centers of excellence to address gaps between research and practice.

Delivering for Our Members

Here are a few ways ISEA has delivered results for our members and advanced worker safety. 

Respirator

PREP Act Liability Protection

ISEA earned the first product liability legislation in 15 years, with respirators being covered in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. This better enables our nation's respiratory manufacturing base to meet the challenge of pandemics or public health emergencies.

Fall Protection Enforcement

After working closely with OSHA, members of Congress and administration officials on an updated fall protection rule, ISEA called on OSHA to create a national emphasis program (NEP) focusing on falls to a lower level. Thanks to input from ISEA and other partners, OSHA issued its NEP.

Working Hand-in-Hand with OSHA

OSHA’s Alliance Program provides organizations the opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as raising awareness of OSHA initiatives, outreach, communication, training, and education.

Through the Alliance, OSHA and ISEA collaborate to:

  • Develop content and training resources on the proper selection, use and maintenance of PPE
  • Share information on national consensus standards for personal protective and other safety equipment

ISEA and OSHA renewed their Alliance in 2021 for a period of five years.

Latest Advocacy News

  • Government Relations, Press Release

New Tariffs Jeopardize Safety of Workers Critical to U.S. Economic Growth
  • Government Relations, ISEA News, News, Press Release, Respiratory Protection

NIOSH Workforce Cuts Threaten National Safety Infrastructure
  • Blog, Government Relations

PPE Fit for All
  • Blog, Government Relations

OSHA’s Proposed PPE Fit in Construction Rule: Where Are We?
  • Blog, First Aid, Government Relations

Answering the White House’s Challenge to Save Lives from Overdoses

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