Issues
Right to Repair
Unlike household goods, PPE & safety equipment is highly regulated and rigorously tested.
Improper repairs or use of non-approved parts can void federal certifications and lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
Applying Right to Repair principles to PPE and safety equipment could have deadly consequences.
125 million U.S. workers rely on PPE and safety equipment to keep safe on the job. To protect the health and safety of those workers, Right to Repair legislation must exempt all PPE and safety equipment.
54% of user-repaired farm equipment had critical safety features disabled or impaired
Unsafe Repairs Put Workers at Risk
Fall Protection Harness
Fatal fall or catastrophic injury if the self-retracting lifeline fails to arrest a worker
SCBA Respirator
Asphyxiation, burns or death from failed breathing apparatus or PASS device
Emergency Showers
Lethal chemical burns if units fail to deliver immediate flushing in an emergency
Electronic Hearing Protection
Permanent hearing loss if electronic circuits fail to block hazardous noise
Right to Repair Conflicts with Multiple Standards
OSHA is Clear
29 1910.134(h)(4)(iii)
“[Equipment]…shall be adjusted or repaired only by the manufacturer or a technician trained by the manufacturer.”
NIOSH is Clear
NIOSH Policy
“…A respirator that includes any replacement or spare part that has not been inspected [by NIOSH staff members]….is not NIOSH approved.”
NFPA is Clear
NFPA 1852 § 4.9.1
“Technicians shall be qualified and authorized by the SCBA manufacturer to perform specified allowable maintenance.”
