Choosing the Right PPE

Whether they’re working on a construction site or operating in an auto shop, workers in certain industries are used to clocking in and suiting up in personal protective equipment. However, that doesn’t mean they’re always wearing the right gear for their jobs. From ill-fitting suits to a lack of safety awareness, it’s easy to see why many companies fall short when it comes to ensuring their employees’ well-being on the jobsite.

Choosing the Right PPE

The first step in selecting the proper ppe is to identify the hazards your staff is facing on a day-to-day basis. Regulatory bodies are an excellent resource for this task, as they have direct experience in implementing legislation and can paint a clear picture of what type of protection is required for each occupation.

From there, you can begin to narrow down your options by determining if the potential danger is a dry particulate, liquid or chemical exposure. Ideally, you’ll start with eliminating the risk as much as possible through CDC’s Hierarchy of Controls (which includes administrative and physical changes). If that isn’t possible, you must then turn to PPE.

It’s also important to consider if your PPE is sustainable, as there are some types of protective clothing that can be worn over and over again, while others are designed to be worn once and then discarded. Finally, it’s important to ensure that your chosen PPE is comfortable. If a worker is uncomfortable in their gear, work morale will drop and they may not wear it regularly.