The federal government certainly doesn't agree that people should be treated
as "adults" in this fashion (i.e., deciding whether to wear safety
equipment). In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires
employers to adhere to safety standards--and to require their workers to
adhere to them, as well. Workers do not have the option of refusing to wear
steel-toe boots or safety glasses with side shields, if that's what
OSHA-mandated safety regulations require.
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