The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) warned that tariffs coming into force on April 2, 2025 could increase the cost of personal protective equipment and put millions of US workers at risk.
ISEA’s report, “The Hidden Costs of PPE Tariffs: The Impact of Tariff-Driven PPE Price Increases on Worker Safety and U.S. Economic Strength,” reveals that tariffs can increase the cost of quality protective equipment, forcing businesses to reduce their safety investments.
“When tariffs make it harder to afford the quality protective equipment that keeps workers safe, everyone pays the price. This isn’t about politics, it’s about protecting the people who make America work.”
According to the report, nearly 125 million American workers depend on PPE to work safely in the construction, healthcare, manufacturing and energy sectors. These sectors generate a combined $15 trillion in economic activity annually. The study estimates that even a 1 percent increase in workplace injuries due to reduced PPE use could lead to 40,000 additional injuries per year and cost the economy $1.8 billion.
ISEA notes that rising PPE prices could force companies to make difficult choices, with negative consequences ranging from business disruptions to reduced investments in security. The association also highlights potential risks in the energy, defense and healthcare sectors, where a reliable supply of PPE is critical to national security and economic stability.
“Security is not a cost, it is an investment in America’s success,” said Dan Glucksman, ISEA Senior Director for Policy.
The union is asking the Biden administration to exempt PPE, safety equipment and related components from the new tariffs and calls for cooperation between government, labor and industry to ensure workers have access to affordable, high-quality protective equipment.
