"Added Value" and "Value Added" are two marketing terms that mean different things but are frequently used interchangeably. While you can probably get various definitions for each term, a good way to keep it straight in your mind is to remember that "added value" relates to products and "value added" relates to intangible services.
Consider head protection products for example. Most hard hats on the market come to you unassembled. You have to install the suspension system. But the leading quality brand comes from the factory full assembled, ready to wear. That is added value. It may not seem like a big deal until you look a little deeper.
Studies show that it takes the average employee about 10 minutes to open the bag, read the instructions, and assemble a hard hat. If that employee makes $20.00 an hour, assembling his head protection costs the company about $3.50. Plus the value of 10 minutes of non-productive downtime while he is doing it. That usually wipes out any purchase price differential between the lower priced hat and the quality brand.
More importantly, the leading quality brand protective caps are fully assembled at the factory by trained, experienced experts. Following assembly, the caps are inspected by Quality Assurance Experts to ensure they come to you assembled correctly. Failure to install the suspension/Impact Energy Control System correctly and firmly can adversely affect its impact attenuation capability. If your employees assemble their head protection, how do you know they did it right? Who inspects them? Who is knowledgeable enough to recognize that a suspension leg is not seated fully in the shell? Aren't you taking a risk you don't have to take?
If you purchase any brand of head protection, the ANSI Standard requires it to be adjustable to size and you expect it to be reasonably comfortable to wear. The leading quality brand goes far beyond what is required and expected. In addition to the sizing adjustment, the quality brands headband can be raised, lowered, tilted and moved front to back so that the wearer can select an exact, personal fit and feel. That is added value.
A protective cap headband is the only part of the device that comes in contact with the body. As such, it gets dirty and smelly over time. Most economy class caps have only a partial headband that is the sewn in and cannot be removed for cleaning or replacement. The quality brands full headband can be easily removed and replaced. Plus you have a choice of materials and styles. All of which is added value.
Versatility and accessories are also "added value" factors. The leading brand of head protection can be combined with welding helmets, faceshields, safety masks and goggles two different ways, neither of which requires hazardous mounting slots in the caps. That extends the number of applications it can be used in and eliminates having to stock different caps for different jobs. That is added value. Accessories such as winter liners and sun shields add an extra margin of protection which is also added value.
These are just examples of added value in one product line. The same type of things are present in most PPE products. The same holds true with "value added". A prior post talked about the "intangibles" that should accompany any PPE brand you select. There is a vast difference between the value added services among brands and manufacturers. Lesser brands sales reps talk about providing what you are already using cheaper. The leading brands sales reps talk about products that can help you do your job better and safer. That is value added.
Studies have shown that a leading quality brands sales rep accounts for about 40% of the total value added with the brand. Most brands reps spend their time with you talking about prices, discounts and deals. A quality brands rep becomes a part of your PPE decision making team. They provide information, knowledge and ideas before, during and after the sale. They assist with hazard analysis, they do training. That is value added.
The leading brands utilize the best distributors; have the best marketing programs and customer service departments. None of which they have to do. That is value added.
Anything the leading quality brand provides, that is not required or available in other brands, is either an "added value" or "value added". You owe it to yourself to demand both from your PPE supplier.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
TEST AND EVALUATE BEFORE YOU BUY
Once you've analyzed your hazards, determined what type of PPE you need, evaluated designs, performance features, and comfort levels of the products, talked with your supplier partner about value added services, and estimated the ROI impact on your business, there is still one more step in the process. On the job testing and evaluation.
A PPE brands literature will tell you the basics about it. Your supplier partner will tell you a great deal more. But nothing will tell you as much as an on-the-job, under your working conditions, test and evaluation of any PPE you may be considering.
A good supplier partner will make samples available and will work with you to set up meaningful tests and evaluations. The process should begin with a job site "walk through" consisting of the company Safety Official, the plant manager, and the supplier partner representative plus any others involved in the PPE buying decision. The walk through lets all involved see the work stations, observe the hazards, see what PPE is in use, see if it is being worn and worn correctly, and listen to any complaints the workforce has about what they have been issued.
During the post walk through meeting, any deficiencies, problems or concerns observed become things that are tested and evaluated for improvement. The reason new PPE is being purchased is to upgrade and improve current conditions. Therefore, the test and evaluation of the new PPE should be specifically to see if it does indeed solve problems and improve upon what has been used.
Doing a general "do you like it better" evaluation will not really tell you what you need to know. But suppose workers have not been wearing their PPE because it is "too uncomfortable". Testing for improved comfort would be a specific part of your evaluation. Pointing out the things that make the new PPE more comfortable, along with anything else you want to specifically evaluate is critical. The workers have to know why their PPE is being changed, what the benefits to them are, how the new PPE works, and what the company is asking them to evaluate.
During most on-the-job evaluations, actual accidents may not occur, so it is important to explain the higher performance expectations in detail. But improved fitting and comfort are things a worker can actually experience during the evaluation. Again, general question like "did it feel better" will not tell you what you need to know. But questions like, "were you able to make more adjustments for an exact fit and feel?; were you able to center your head deeper in the shell for a low center of gravity, better balance and stability?" will tell you if the features you are investing in are actually being experienced or perceived by your workforce.
A very effective technique is to gather the employees participating in the test and evaluation and do a "side-by-side" comparison between what they are using and the higher quality, upgraded PPE you are investing in for them. Compare feature by feature and benefit by benefit and show exactly what you are asking them to evaluate. Use your supplier partner and/or the brand manufacturer trainers to help you with this. There is no greater employee "buy-in" then a successful on-the-job test and evaluation.
Any supplier can make any claim they want about their products. But only the top quality brands suppliers are willing to show you how their products perform on your job, under your working conditions and with your employees. Make an on-the-job evaluation the final step in your PPE Buying Decision Process.
A PPE brands literature will tell you the basics about it. Your supplier partner will tell you a great deal more. But nothing will tell you as much as an on-the-job, under your working conditions, test and evaluation of any PPE you may be considering.
A good supplier partner will make samples available and will work with you to set up meaningful tests and evaluations. The process should begin with a job site "walk through" consisting of the company Safety Official, the plant manager, and the supplier partner representative plus any others involved in the PPE buying decision. The walk through lets all involved see the work stations, observe the hazards, see what PPE is in use, see if it is being worn and worn correctly, and listen to any complaints the workforce has about what they have been issued.
During the post walk through meeting, any deficiencies, problems or concerns observed become things that are tested and evaluated for improvement. The reason new PPE is being purchased is to upgrade and improve current conditions. Therefore, the test and evaluation of the new PPE should be specifically to see if it does indeed solve problems and improve upon what has been used.
Doing a general "do you like it better" evaluation will not really tell you what you need to know. But suppose workers have not been wearing their PPE because it is "too uncomfortable". Testing for improved comfort would be a specific part of your evaluation. Pointing out the things that make the new PPE more comfortable, along with anything else you want to specifically evaluate is critical. The workers have to know why their PPE is being changed, what the benefits to them are, how the new PPE works, and what the company is asking them to evaluate.
During most on-the-job evaluations, actual accidents may not occur, so it is important to explain the higher performance expectations in detail. But improved fitting and comfort are things a worker can actually experience during the evaluation. Again, general question like "did it feel better" will not tell you what you need to know. But questions like, "were you able to make more adjustments for an exact fit and feel?; were you able to center your head deeper in the shell for a low center of gravity, better balance and stability?" will tell you if the features you are investing in are actually being experienced or perceived by your workforce.
A very effective technique is to gather the employees participating in the test and evaluation and do a "side-by-side" comparison between what they are using and the higher quality, upgraded PPE you are investing in for them. Compare feature by feature and benefit by benefit and show exactly what you are asking them to evaluate. Use your supplier partner and/or the brand manufacturer trainers to help you with this. There is no greater employee "buy-in" then a successful on-the-job test and evaluation.
Any supplier can make any claim they want about their products. But only the top quality brands suppliers are willing to show you how their products perform on your job, under your working conditions and with your employees. Make an on-the-job evaluation the final step in your PPE Buying Decision Process.
Friday, November 20, 2009
MAKE SAFETY PAY
A good PPE Program reduces costs, improves productivity, increases profitability and contributes to the success of the company. But only if it is a complete program, consisting of the highest quality products, and value added services, from a "partner" supplier.
Dr. Rick Fulwiler, President of Technology Leadership Associates, and former long time Director of Health & Safety Worldwide for The Procter & Gamble Company, pioneered the concept of "Making Safety The Business of The Business" years ago. Since that time, forward looking PPE manufacturers looked for ways to enhance their offerings so that they transcend the basic protection function to improve the bottom line.
It may be easy to see how wearing PPE can reduce injuries and injury costs at the basic level. But it is not as easy to connect PPE to increased productivity, increased profitability and the over all success of the business. To begin to make those links, you have to consider the numbers. Each year over the past five years, injury frequency (the number of injuries) and severity (how bad the injuries were) decreased slightly. However, the cost of those injuries increased significantly putting additional pressure on already reduced profit margins. Industry is spending between $4 and $5 billion on PPE yet it still is incurring about $177 billion in injury costs. Research shows that 60% of those injured were wearing PPE supplied by their employer but it proved to be inadequate or inappropriate for the hazards of the job.
Therefore, improving the PPE buying decision, upgrading to a leading brand of top quality PPE and partnering with a supplier that can provide significant value added services is the first step in reducing injury costs. The latest data available shows the estimated cost of injuries for 2007:
PPE cannot stop accidents from happening. Every time an accident occurs there is a range of possible outcomes from a "Near Hit" to a "Fatality". Quality PPE, carefully selected and properly worn will move the outcome down the Injury Cost Pyramid from a potential fatality to a visit to the dispensary. The estimated cost of a fatality is $1.3 million; a lost time injury $43,000; a visit to the nurse for First Aid about $1,000. Every time the cost of an injury is reduced or eliminated, the savings drops straight to the bottom line.The latest data shows that the average employer (it varies by industry) has about 4 injuries a year per 100 workers with them equally split between lost time (involving days off the job) and non-lost time. That means a company with 100 employees will incur at least $102,000 in injury costs every year. For a company operating with an 8% net profit margin, the profit on their first $1,275,000 worth of sales would go to just pay for their annual injury costs. Reducing that cost should be the goal of a PPE Program, not reducing the purchase price of the PPE. If upgrading to a top quality brand of PPE reduces just one injury, or moves the cost of an injury down the cost pyramid, it will pay for the upgrade many times over. Plug in your actual numbers to estimate what you could save.
A problem is most employers don't capture the savings realized when PPE prevents or reduces the cost of an injury. We suggest that Safety Officials maintain a "Save" log. Every time there is an incident, record how much was saved between the actual cost and the potential cost. Every First Aid case was a potential fatality. Every time an accident occurs the only difference between a near hit and a fatality is the outcome.
Upgrading to a quality PPE Program also has an impact on Workers Comp premiums. Workers Comp premiums are experience based. To reduce your premiums, you must reduce your injury costs relative to the average for your industry. Those savings also drop straight to the bottom line.
The cost saving potential for a PPE Program is dramatic. And so is the revenue enhancement potential. Not nearly as well understood or as obvious as the cost savings, PPE revenue enhancement comes from reducing downtime (a major cost to most companies), increasing productivity, and enhancing the quality of work life for employees. In many companies, downtime is second only to injury costs as a profit drain. It costs industry more than $10 billion a year; robs the average plant of nearly $400,000.
Dissatisfaction with poorly designed, ill fitting, uncomfortable PPE often manifests in frequent breaks, absenteeism, and stress, all leading causes of downtime. But quality PPE that can be worn throughout a shift without hindering, distracting or fatiguing the wearer will reduce downtime. It is well documented that a comfortable, confident, well protected worker can stay on the job longer, concentrate better, produce more with fewer rejects, reworks, defects or delays.
In today's lean workforce, each worker is incrementally more important. If one is injured, and misses time (the median time off for a lost time injury is 7 days), the productivity of the entire plant can be adversely affected.
PPE has a tremendous impact on the quality of work life which also affects productivity. Workers need to be confident that they will return home at the end of the day free of injury. They want to know that the company is doing everything possible to protect them and help them do their jobs to the best of their ability. Nothing says that better than providing only the very best PPE for the workforce. Each time an employee puts on his or her PPE it represents the companies commitment to his or her personal safety and productivity. An astronaut was once asked "are you afraid to be hurtled into space?". He replied "the only thing I am afraid of is being hurtled into space on 40,000 parts that all came from the lowest bidder!". Employees feel the same way about their PPE.
PPE's contribution to reducing downtime, increasing productivity, and improving the quality of work life directly increases profitability and the success of the business. Finally, don't over look the "opportunity" costs (the cost of not doing something). Each day you delay in upgrading your PPE Program, you miss the opportunity to reduce costs and improve profitability. "Make Safety Pay". Capture, document and communicate the contribution of your PPE Program to the success of your business.
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The data presented is based on aggregate estimates provided by The National Safety Council, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and various other sources. They are estimates and should not be taken as absolutes. For the best results plug your data into the framework presented here.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
PPE IS ONE OF YOUR 10 MOST IMPORTANT "BUYS"
The CEO of a Top 50 construction company said "PPE is one of the top 10 "buys" my company makes so we focus on only the top brands". Interesting. But what is a "brand"? It is not just a well known brand name, or just a physical product. It is the sum total of your and others experiences with a manufacturer of PPE.
It begins with a product but extends to your experience with the suppliers sales person, customer service, marketing, physical distribution, invoicing, return policy, and any other contact you may have with the company and its employees. If each touch point results in a memorable experience you develop positive feelings about them which builds equity in the brand.
A leading brand of PPE should also bundle intangibles with the tangible product. What do they offer that others do not? What "comes with" the tangible product? We are in the knowledge age. We have said before that information, knowledge and ideas before, during and after the sale should be provided. The primary source of those intangibles is the salesperson. It has been said that the value of a salesperson can account for up to 40% of the buying decision.
Leading brands communicate a clear, compelling and consistent message to define and differentiate their offering. There should never be any doubt in your mind what they believe in, what they stand for and what they do. And what they claim should match your experiences with the brand. They use the full marketing communication mix: catalogs, brochures, flyer's, websites, phone, and email to provide the information you need to help you make a buying decision and support your decision afterward.
Top PPE brands provide training programs and experienced, skilled trainers to help you get the most from your PPE Program. They make sure you get what you pay for and that each employee knows about and how to use the PPE you supply them.
Quality Assurance Programs are another intangible hallmark of the best PPE brands. Every PPE supplier has some degree of in-house quality control program. But only the top brands take it to another level with 3rd party quality assurance like the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) certification program. More can be learned about the SEI Program at their website www.seinet.org including a listing of SEI Certified brands and products.
Longevity and innovation are also important intangibles. Brands that have been in existence for a long time have survived and prospered for a reason. One PPE brand, the Fibre-Metal brand, has been on the market for 105 years. During that time it has established a brand identity for quality and innovation. Experience and innovation are important. Ask yourself if your PPE supplier leads or follows in producing new products to satisfy the ever changing needs for more and better PPE products.
A PPE suppliers Value Package of tangible and intangible products and services establishes a clear identity for their brand in the marketplace. Your experience with them crystallizes the perceived relative quality of the brand in your mind. The brand name becomes a symbol of that perceived relative quality and is something you can depend on when considering additional PPE purchases.
Over time, no one remembers who had the lowest price but most remember what brands provided the best value package. To manage your risk and get the best return on your investment, only include the top PPE brands in your buying decision choice set.
It begins with a product but extends to your experience with the suppliers sales person, customer service, marketing, physical distribution, invoicing, return policy, and any other contact you may have with the company and its employees. If each touch point results in a memorable experience you develop positive feelings about them which builds equity in the brand.
A leading brand of PPE should also bundle intangibles with the tangible product. What do they offer that others do not? What "comes with" the tangible product? We are in the knowledge age. We have said before that information, knowledge and ideas before, during and after the sale should be provided. The primary source of those intangibles is the salesperson. It has been said that the value of a salesperson can account for up to 40% of the buying decision.
Leading brands communicate a clear, compelling and consistent message to define and differentiate their offering. There should never be any doubt in your mind what they believe in, what they stand for and what they do. And what they claim should match your experiences with the brand. They use the full marketing communication mix: catalogs, brochures, flyer's, websites, phone, and email to provide the information you need to help you make a buying decision and support your decision afterward.
Top PPE brands provide training programs and experienced, skilled trainers to help you get the most from your PPE Program. They make sure you get what you pay for and that each employee knows about and how to use the PPE you supply them.
Quality Assurance Programs are another intangible hallmark of the best PPE brands. Every PPE supplier has some degree of in-house quality control program. But only the top brands take it to another level with 3rd party quality assurance like the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) certification program. More can be learned about the SEI Program at their website www.seinet.org including a listing of SEI Certified brands and products.
Longevity and innovation are also important intangibles. Brands that have been in existence for a long time have survived and prospered for a reason. One PPE brand, the Fibre-Metal brand, has been on the market for 105 years. During that time it has established a brand identity for quality and innovation. Experience and innovation are important. Ask yourself if your PPE supplier leads or follows in producing new products to satisfy the ever changing needs for more and better PPE products.
A PPE suppliers Value Package of tangible and intangible products and services establishes a clear identity for their brand in the marketplace. Your experience with them crystallizes the perceived relative quality of the brand in your mind. The brand name becomes a symbol of that perceived relative quality and is something you can depend on when considering additional PPE purchases.
Over time, no one remembers who had the lowest price but most remember what brands provided the best value package. To manage your risk and get the best return on your investment, only include the top PPE brands in your buying decision choice set.
Monday, November 2, 2009
IS LATERAL IMPACT HEAD PROTECTION A PRODUCT THATS TIME HAS COME?
The ANSI Head Protection Standard has referenced two levels of protective cap impact protection since the early 1990's. Level I requires protection from top (crown) impact and Level II requires protection from top, side, and rear impact. The choice is up to you. As is so often the case, OSHA does not define or even offer clear guidelines for when Level II protection is required.
As a result, very few Level II protective caps are being used in American industry. In Canada, CSA requires lateral impact protection but even there, compliance is not universal. Why wouldn't conscientious safety officials equip their workforce with head protection that extends protection and reduces risk? First, they aren't required to, second, Level II caps are bigger, a little heavier, and more expensive. And the need has not been proven to the satisfaction of many USA safety officials and PPE buying decision makers.
In the early nineties NIOSH and BLS research showed that among workers suffering head injuries, only 9% were struck on the top of the head while 91% were struck in the front, back or sides of the head. They concluded that 90% of head injuries could be eliminated or lessened in severity if head protection could be improved to include lateral impact protection. If that was true, the savings would approach $3.8 billion dollars.
That would seem like a no brainer for requiring lateral impact protection. But because the data included workers who were not wearing any head protection at all, no one could say for sure if their Level I protective cap would have lessened or prevented their injuries from the lateral blows to their heads even though they were not designed nor tested for that degree of protection. Therefore, OSHA made lateral impact protection optional based on need.
But they didn't specify or clarify "need". They issued their standard "analyze your hazards and if you have high impact falling or flying (later modified to "moving") objects you may need lateral impact protection" advisory. Some hazards are obvious, others are not. If a wrench falls from above, is it always going to strike a worker below squarely in the center of the crown of his protective cap? What if he ducks? Or looks up? Or turns his head? No one can say for sure. So one point of view is that all falling or moving objects present lateral impact hazards. And what about swinging objects and thrown objects and exploding objects?
On the other hand, many safety officials take a very pragmatic view and use their empirical data to show that they have no history of lateral impact injuries, therefore their Level I head protection is adequate and appropriate for their worksite. But maybe it is time to rethink head protection from a risk management standpoint. The number of Canadian companies working in the USA on pipeline and other jobs has increased the demand for Level II caps because they must comply with CSA Standards even while working here. As they work side-by-side with their American counterparts, the interest in lateral impact protection is growing.
Most brands of Level II Lateral Impact head protection provide an extra margin of protection over Level I caps. It would be good risk management to use them whether or not you have clearly defined lateral impact hazards. But like everything else, there are trade offs. Most Level II caps have bigger shells, are a little heavier, and require a greater initial investment than Level I caps. One large construction company Safety Official said "if they were cost effective, I would use them". With lost time injuries approaching $50,000 each, if a Level II cap prevented or lessened the severity of just one head injury, it would return the incremental investment many times over.
Yes, the shells are slightly bigger and the designs are different but so were Level I caps when workers transitioned from paper and cloth caps. Most complaints about weight are usually actually about fit. A well designed Level II cap, with a good center of gravity, maximum weight distribution, and multiple adjustments for individual fit and feel will offset any complaints about weight. On the other hand, there are a lot of poorly designed, extremely heavy models on the market that contribute to the perception that all Level II caps are uncomfortable.
Just as with Level I head protection, the design and technology used to provide protection is critical to performance and acceptance. Early on, when lateral protection became an issue, those suppliers who sell on price, simply molded a bigger shell and filled it with foam rubber until it passed the standard. Those brands are not only very heavy, they are so hot, resulting from a lack of air circulation, workers refuse to wear them. But there are alternative designs. The most progressive and technically superior design is the "SUPEREIGHT SENSOR" Fibre-Metal brand from Honeywell Safety Products.
This Level II cap begins with the unique Fibre-Metal brand smooth crown design. Instead of using hot, heavy foam, model SE-2 SENSOR adds a patented attenuator band to the standard Fibre-Metal Eight Point Impact Energy Control System to provide impact protection around the periphery of the cap. The cap is called "SENSOR" because on impact, it actually senses where it was struck and either activates the crown impact energy control system, the attenuator lateral impact energy control system, or both. To manage and control lateral impact, the attenuator band corrugations compress to absorb and dissipate the force of the blow. It is similar to the crumble zones used in many cars today.
Because no foam is required, air circulates freely within the shell and as air passes over the damp headband, it actually provides a cooling effect. The headband can be adjusted multiple ways to provide just the right fit and feel to eliminate most workers complaints.
Whether you consider the foam filled models to minimize the purchase price or invest in the technologically advanced Fibre-Metal brand, Level II protective caps deserve another look and should be in your head protection discussions whether you have clearly defined lateral impact hazards or as a head protection upgrade and risk management tool.
As a result, very few Level II protective caps are being used in American industry. In Canada, CSA requires lateral impact protection but even there, compliance is not universal. Why wouldn't conscientious safety officials equip their workforce with head protection that extends protection and reduces risk? First, they aren't required to, second, Level II caps are bigger, a little heavier, and more expensive. And the need has not been proven to the satisfaction of many USA safety officials and PPE buying decision makers.
In the early nineties NIOSH and BLS research showed that among workers suffering head injuries, only 9% were struck on the top of the head while 91% were struck in the front, back or sides of the head. They concluded that 90% of head injuries could be eliminated or lessened in severity if head protection could be improved to include lateral impact protection. If that was true, the savings would approach $3.8 billion dollars.
That would seem like a no brainer for requiring lateral impact protection. But because the data included workers who were not wearing any head protection at all, no one could say for sure if their Level I protective cap would have lessened or prevented their injuries from the lateral blows to their heads even though they were not designed nor tested for that degree of protection. Therefore, OSHA made lateral impact protection optional based on need.
But they didn't specify or clarify "need". They issued their standard "analyze your hazards and if you have high impact falling or flying (later modified to "moving") objects you may need lateral impact protection" advisory. Some hazards are obvious, others are not. If a wrench falls from above, is it always going to strike a worker below squarely in the center of the crown of his protective cap? What if he ducks? Or looks up? Or turns his head? No one can say for sure. So one point of view is that all falling or moving objects present lateral impact hazards. And what about swinging objects and thrown objects and exploding objects?
On the other hand, many safety officials take a very pragmatic view and use their empirical data to show that they have no history of lateral impact injuries, therefore their Level I head protection is adequate and appropriate for their worksite. But maybe it is time to rethink head protection from a risk management standpoint. The number of Canadian companies working in the USA on pipeline and other jobs has increased the demand for Level II caps because they must comply with CSA Standards even while working here. As they work side-by-side with their American counterparts, the interest in lateral impact protection is growing.
Most brands of Level II Lateral Impact head protection provide an extra margin of protection over Level I caps. It would be good risk management to use them whether or not you have clearly defined lateral impact hazards. But like everything else, there are trade offs. Most Level II caps have bigger shells, are a little heavier, and require a greater initial investment than Level I caps. One large construction company Safety Official said "if they were cost effective, I would use them". With lost time injuries approaching $50,000 each, if a Level II cap prevented or lessened the severity of just one head injury, it would return the incremental investment many times over.
Yes, the shells are slightly bigger and the designs are different but so were Level I caps when workers transitioned from paper and cloth caps. Most complaints about weight are usually actually about fit. A well designed Level II cap, with a good center of gravity, maximum weight distribution, and multiple adjustments for individual fit and feel will offset any complaints about weight. On the other hand, there are a lot of poorly designed, extremely heavy models on the market that contribute to the perception that all Level II caps are uncomfortable.
Just as with Level I head protection, the design and technology used to provide protection is critical to performance and acceptance. Early on, when lateral protection became an issue, those suppliers who sell on price, simply molded a bigger shell and filled it with foam rubber until it passed the standard. Those brands are not only very heavy, they are so hot, resulting from a lack of air circulation, workers refuse to wear them. But there are alternative designs. The most progressive and technically superior design is the "SUPEREIGHT SENSOR" Fibre-Metal brand from Honeywell Safety Products.
This Level II cap begins with the unique Fibre-Metal brand smooth crown design. Instead of using hot, heavy foam, model SE-2 SENSOR adds a patented attenuator band to the standard Fibre-Metal Eight Point Impact Energy Control System to provide impact protection around the periphery of the cap. The cap is called "SENSOR" because on impact, it actually senses where it was struck and either activates the crown impact energy control system, the attenuator lateral impact energy control system, or both. To manage and control lateral impact, the attenuator band corrugations compress to absorb and dissipate the force of the blow. It is similar to the crumble zones used in many cars today.
Because no foam is required, air circulates freely within the shell and as air passes over the damp headband, it actually provides a cooling effect. The headband can be adjusted multiple ways to provide just the right fit and feel to eliminate most workers complaints.
Whether you consider the foam filled models to minimize the purchase price or invest in the technologically advanced Fibre-Metal brand, Level II protective caps deserve another look and should be in your head protection discussions whether you have clearly defined lateral impact hazards or as a head protection upgrade and risk management tool.
Friday, October 16, 2009
IS YOUR PPE SUPPLIER A VENDOR OR PARTNER
Your PPE source of supply can be an important resource in your PPE Program. But just like many buyers think all products are alike, many think all suppliers are alike and that they just provide physical distribution services.
Take a look at your PPE supplier. Are they a true "partner" or are they just a "vendor"? There is nothing wrong with just being a good vendor. With having what you want in stock and shipping it promptly and accurately, at a good price, when you need it. But to upgrade, improve and get the most from your PPE program, you need more than that. You need a "partner".
A vendor supplies what you are already using; a partner suggests new and different products to help satisfy your needs better. A vendor seeks to lower the purchase price of what you are already using; a partner seeks to lower the operating costs and improve the profitability of your business. A vendor knows what you have always used; a partner knows your needs and issues and offers solutions for them.
In addition to tangible products, a partner provides before, during and after sale information, knowledge and ideas to help you make a better PPE buying decision and support that decision going forward. They provide samples, on the job testing and evaluation under your working conditions, and training for your employees. They work with you and for you as advocates within your organization to help justify changes and expenditures.
If you are not getting those things from your PPE supplier, now is the time to look at making a change. You need all of the resources you can get. You need the greatest return on your PPE investment that you can get. Why settle for just a vendor when there are partners out there? Use the same process you do with products. Determine your needs, then look at as many suppliers as you can. Ask what they provide over and above just physical distribution. Compare their offerings carefully.
Most PPE is sold through distributors. Check not only their ability to partner with you, also check their relationship with the manufacturers they represent. Are they true partners with their manufacturers? Do they work as a team so that you get the benefit of the resources of both the distributor and the manufacturer? Can you access the manufacturers experts and resources whenever you need to without a conflict with the distributor?
As you compare, it is helpful to have a benchmark for comparison. Based on our knowledge and experience, the company setting the standard for a true PPE "Partner" today is Honeywell Safety Products. They have a wide range of top quality PPE product lines; they have a large, well trained, experienced, knowledgeable field sales force that is, in our opinion, the best in the industry; they have an excellent customer service department; and they truly partner with their distributors. They can give you the whole package, the "Total Product" of tangibles and intangibles you need. If you use Honeywell to measure all others against, you will get a good evaluation of what is available to you.
If you find a better supplier, who is better able to satisfy your need for a "partner" rather than just a vendor, by all means, use them. When we recommend a product or company, it is our opinion based on our knowledge and experience. Our goal is to make you aware not to influence you. As they say on Fox News, "we report, you decide". Just don't sell yourself short. Industry spends about $5 billion dollars on PPE every year. You should be getting more, much more, than just a product and a price for your money.
Take a look at your PPE supplier. Are they a true "partner" or are they just a "vendor"? There is nothing wrong with just being a good vendor. With having what you want in stock and shipping it promptly and accurately, at a good price, when you need it. But to upgrade, improve and get the most from your PPE program, you need more than that. You need a "partner".
A vendor supplies what you are already using; a partner suggests new and different products to help satisfy your needs better. A vendor seeks to lower the purchase price of what you are already using; a partner seeks to lower the operating costs and improve the profitability of your business. A vendor knows what you have always used; a partner knows your needs and issues and offers solutions for them.
In addition to tangible products, a partner provides before, during and after sale information, knowledge and ideas to help you make a better PPE buying decision and support that decision going forward. They provide samples, on the job testing and evaluation under your working conditions, and training for your employees. They work with you and for you as advocates within your organization to help justify changes and expenditures.
If you are not getting those things from your PPE supplier, now is the time to look at making a change. You need all of the resources you can get. You need the greatest return on your PPE investment that you can get. Why settle for just a vendor when there are partners out there? Use the same process you do with products. Determine your needs, then look at as many suppliers as you can. Ask what they provide over and above just physical distribution. Compare their offerings carefully.
Most PPE is sold through distributors. Check not only their ability to partner with you, also check their relationship with the manufacturers they represent. Are they true partners with their manufacturers? Do they work as a team so that you get the benefit of the resources of both the distributor and the manufacturer? Can you access the manufacturers experts and resources whenever you need to without a conflict with the distributor?
As you compare, it is helpful to have a benchmark for comparison. Based on our knowledge and experience, the company setting the standard for a true PPE "Partner" today is Honeywell Safety Products. They have a wide range of top quality PPE product lines; they have a large, well trained, experienced, knowledgeable field sales force that is, in our opinion, the best in the industry; they have an excellent customer service department; and they truly partner with their distributors. They can give you the whole package, the "Total Product" of tangibles and intangibles you need. If you use Honeywell to measure all others against, you will get a good evaluation of what is available to you.
If you find a better supplier, who is better able to satisfy your need for a "partner" rather than just a vendor, by all means, use them. When we recommend a product or company, it is our opinion based on our knowledge and experience. Our goal is to make you aware not to influence you. As they say on Fox News, "we report, you decide". Just don't sell yourself short. Industry spends about $5 billion dollars on PPE every year. You should be getting more, much more, than just a product and a price for your money.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
HEAD PROTECTION DESIGN IS CRITICAL
There are between 150,000 and 200,000 lost time head injuries and numerous fatalities resulting from blows to the head each year. Because of the damage those injuries do, the cost is enormous in terms of both money and human suffering. Yet we find so little is known about head protection by buying decision makers and influencers.
Many head protection purchases are straight rebuys "that is what we've always used", or are the cheapest hard hat available with an ANSI label. That is based on the mistaken assumption that all hard hats with an ANSI label are alike, perform the same, and provide the same value. Companies willingly spend $200 for a pair of safety boots but balk at paying $20 for a good hard hat. Foot injuries are serious and good foot protection should be provided, but they pale in comparison to the devastation of a serious head injury.
The OSHA PPE Buying Decision Process calls for a buying decision maker to determine what type of PPE is required for the hazards of a job and then to evaluate as many brands and styles of that type of equipment as possible before selecting the most appropriate one. There are approximately eight major manufacturers of hard hats in the USA today. If you place each of their offerings side by side, a simple visual inspection will show you that they are not all alike. In fact, no two of them even look the same.
Yes, they all consist of a hard outer shell, a suspension, and some sort of headband, but the designs of those components and especially the way they work together to perform the functions of head protection are completely different. Let's begin with the design of the shell. Over the years, head protection studies have determined that a smooth crown, with no ribs, ridges or protrusions, and no openings in the shell (like mounting slots) is the optimum design for allowing the various components to work together to manage impact force.
Why a smooth crown with no openings? The physics of impact force attenuation requires a hard hat to go through sequential steps:
Many head protection purchases are straight rebuys "that is what we've always used", or are the cheapest hard hat available with an ANSI label. That is based on the mistaken assumption that all hard hats with an ANSI label are alike, perform the same, and provide the same value. Companies willingly spend $200 for a pair of safety boots but balk at paying $20 for a good hard hat. Foot injuries are serious and good foot protection should be provided, but they pale in comparison to the devastation of a serious head injury.
The OSHA PPE Buying Decision Process calls for a buying decision maker to determine what type of PPE is required for the hazards of a job and then to evaluate as many brands and styles of that type of equipment as possible before selecting the most appropriate one. There are approximately eight major manufacturers of hard hats in the USA today. If you place each of their offerings side by side, a simple visual inspection will show you that they are not all alike. In fact, no two of them even look the same.
Yes, they all consist of a hard outer shell, a suspension, and some sort of headband, but the designs of those components and especially the way they work together to perform the functions of head protection are completely different. Let's begin with the design of the shell. Over the years, head protection studies have determined that a smooth crown, with no ribs, ridges or protrusions, and no openings in the shell (like mounting slots) is the optimum design for allowing the various components to work together to manage impact force.
Why a smooth crown with no openings? The physics of impact force attenuation requires a hard hat to go through sequential steps:
- On impact, the shell flexes absorbing some force
- The impacting object is deflected away
- Impact energy is passed to the suspension through load bearing "points"
- The Impact Energy Control System (suspension) stretches to attenuate force
If anything interferes with that sequence, the whole system breaks down and protection is compromised. Ribs, ridges and protrusions present the risk of an impacting object being caught and trapped in them. If that happens, the shell cannot flex and deflect the object away which causes all of the force of the impact to be concentrated in that one area of the hard hat. That can overload the suspension at that point which will cause it to breakdown.
So why then do most brands of protective caps on the market contain ribs, ridges and protrusions in their designs? The ANSI standard requires a crown impact test. If a brands Impact Energy Control System (suspension) is not adequate, the shell has to be "beefed up" with reinforcing ribs or thickened with ridges in order to pass. Designing a high performance Impact Energy Control System is technically challenging. It is much easier and less expensive to just beef up the shell. If a suppliers mission is to produce a hard hat as cheaply as possible, to sell it for the lowest price, that is the design they choose.
Those suppliers who's mission is to design a protective cap up to a performance standard instead of down to a price have embraced the optimum smooth crown design. Because there are smooth crown brands and models on the market, why take the risk, no matter how small it may or may not be, of buying models with ribs, ridges and protrusions when you don't have to? Isn't risk reduction what PPE is really all about?
The Fibre-Metal Products Company conceived, developed, perfected and introduced the smooth crown protective cap design almost 50 years ago. The brand is now produced by Honeywell Safety Products. In recent years, other brands have copied the Fibre-Metal shell design but again, when you put the two or three smooth crown brands side by side, you will see major differences in the total products and how they perform.
You cannot look at shell design without considering the Impact Energy Control System (suspension) that must work with it. The same studies that recommended a smooth crown design, also determined that an optimum Impact Energy Control System should have as many load bearing "contact points" as possible. The reason is because during normal wear, the "load" the contact points must bear is the weight of the cap. Multiple points divide the weight into smaller increments and spread it over the widest possible surface of the head for comfort. On impact, the "load" is the impact force transmitted from the shell to the Impact Energy Control System through the contact points. Again, multiple points divide the impact force into the smallest possible increments and spread it over the widest possible head area for maximum attenuation.
The original Fibre-Metal design, the design that set the standard for quality head protection and is still being produced today, is the only design that combines the optimum shell design with the optimum Impact Energy Control System design. Their 8 point, technologically advanced system contains more contact points than any other brand. Suppliers that copied the smooth crown design were not able to copy the 8 point Impact Energy Control design. So who knows how their 4 or 6 point Impact Energy Control Systems will hold up without the reinforcing ribs in their shells.? Again, all brands of protective caps on the market pass the ANSI Standards, but why incur the risks of less than an optimum design, that could fail in the real world, if you don't have to?
Often over looked are the ergonomic considerations involved with head protection. First, the cap should have a low center of gravity for balance and stability. Having the maximum number of suspension points will also help in this regard. The headband should have small increment size adjustments; should be able to be raised, lowered, and angled for individual fit and feel. It should be replaceable for sanitation and comfort purposes.
A final consideration is the condition of the head protection when it is shipped. Quality protective cap suppliers ship their products to you fully assembled, ready to wear. Suppliers in the price market take a short cut by just dropping the suspension into the box for the wearer to install. On the surface, that may not seem like much of an issue. But beneath the surface, it is a very risky practice. In order for the Impact Energy Control sequence to function, the suspension buttons or tabs must be firmly and securely seated in their pockets in the cap. That is not as simple as it looks.
If a suspension contact point button or tab is not fully engaged, the Impact Energy Control System could fail on impact. Quality head protection producers use skilled, well trained workers to install the suspensions correctly. Their quality control inspections provide a double check. Are your workers trained and skilled in assembling head protection? Does anyone double check to make sure they do it right? If not, once again, you are taking an unnecessary risk that you don't have to take.
When you are in the market for head protection, follow the OSHA recommended buying process procedure and do your due diligence to make sure you know what is available, what the differences are among what is available and what the value of those differences are. Compare all brands and models to the optimum designs and performance. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you buy the best product for your application with the minimum risks.Wednesday, September 23, 2009
PPE FOR COLD TEMPERATURES
Before long it will start to get cold in many parts of the country. Protection from the cold is a high priority with OSHA and NIOSH. Frostbite and other cold related conditions are considered recordable injuries by OSHA. As usual, engineering and administrative means are the preferred methods of limiting exposure to the cold, but specialized PPE often provides the first and last line of defense against the elements.
In addition to the hazard of direct injury from the cold, workers become sluggish, and distracted which puts them at risk for other injuries. Productivity also suffers when employees are exposed to temperature extremes. My four page article reprint, detailing the hazards of a cold working environment, is available free of charge by emailing your request to bob.ennamorato@gmail.com and using "PPE for Winter" as the subject line.
Taking time to become acclimated, limiting exposure to short intervals, and "layering" clothing to maximize warmth are all important to protect from the cold. But appropriate hand, foot and head protection are equally as important. Protective gloves, boots and shoes, insulated to protect from the cold are well know PPE devices. But what not be as well known are the protective cap winter liners, neck warmers, vests and other products equipped with pockets for warming devices.
The air activated warming packets provide warmth all shift long in most work environments. In addition to being inserted in the PPE specially designed for them, the warming packets can be dropped in boots, placed in gloves and clothing pockets for an extra margin of protection from the cold.
Now is the time to check into what PPE is available for protection from the hazards of cold weather and cold working environments. Make sure you check everything before you decide and then get it in stock before the first cold snap or snow storm. The return on your investment will be lower injury costs, higher productivity, and better morale.
In addition to the hazard of direct injury from the cold, workers become sluggish, and distracted which puts them at risk for other injuries. Productivity also suffers when employees are exposed to temperature extremes. My four page article reprint, detailing the hazards of a cold working environment, is available free of charge by emailing your request to bob.ennamorato@gmail.com and using "PPE for Winter" as the subject line.
Taking time to become acclimated, limiting exposure to short intervals, and "layering" clothing to maximize warmth are all important to protect from the cold. But appropriate hand, foot and head protection are equally as important. Protective gloves, boots and shoes, insulated to protect from the cold are well know PPE devices. But what not be as well known are the protective cap winter liners, neck warmers, vests and other products equipped with pockets for warming devices.
The air activated warming packets provide warmth all shift long in most work environments. In addition to being inserted in the PPE specially designed for them, the warming packets can be dropped in boots, placed in gloves and clothing pockets for an extra margin of protection from the cold.
Now is the time to check into what PPE is available for protection from the hazards of cold weather and cold working environments. Make sure you check everything before you decide and then get it in stock before the first cold snap or snow storm. The return on your investment will be lower injury costs, higher productivity, and better morale.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
PPE CONTRIBUTES TO PRODUCTIVITY
The safety benefits and lower injury costs related to quality PPE are obvious. What is not so obvious are the productivity related cost reduction and profit enhancing possibilities.
It is well documented that a confident, comfortable, well protected worker stays on the job longer and produces more with fewer rejects. How would you feel if you worked in a hazardous environment and the PPE your employer provided you all came from the lowest bidder?
PPE, like all products, is priced the way it is for a reason. It is highly unlikely you will find PPE loaded with safety and comfort features at the lowest price. It is said that the purchase price of a product reflects its true worth. A $5.00 protective cap is worth $5.00 while a $15.00 protective cap is worth three times as much. The cap requiring the higher initial investment is worth more because it is more capable of doing more things which will produce a greater return on that investment.
It begins with morale. A worker who starts his or her day, confident that they are well protected and free of the fear of injury feels good about themselves and the company and their positive attitude is reflected in their productivity. Because their higher quality PPE fits and feels better, they are not distracted or fatigued by it and they can produce more with fewer rejects.
Downtime is a leading drain on productivity. Poorly designed, ill-fitting, uncomfortable PPE results in time wasted trying to adjust it to fit better, frequent breaks, even trips to the dispensary for something to relieve a headache or other ailment. All of which contribute to downtime.
Well designed PPE, loaded with performance and comfort features that allows the wearer to adjust it for a perfect individual fit and feel, and that makes him or her feel like they will return to their families safe and sound each day, will have a positive impact on productivity. And productivity improvement drops straight to the bottom line returning any additional initial investment many times over.
It is well documented that a confident, comfortable, well protected worker stays on the job longer and produces more with fewer rejects. How would you feel if you worked in a hazardous environment and the PPE your employer provided you all came from the lowest bidder?
PPE, like all products, is priced the way it is for a reason. It is highly unlikely you will find PPE loaded with safety and comfort features at the lowest price. It is said that the purchase price of a product reflects its true worth. A $5.00 protective cap is worth $5.00 while a $15.00 protective cap is worth three times as much. The cap requiring the higher initial investment is worth more because it is more capable of doing more things which will produce a greater return on that investment.
It begins with morale. A worker who starts his or her day, confident that they are well protected and free of the fear of injury feels good about themselves and the company and their positive attitude is reflected in their productivity. Because their higher quality PPE fits and feels better, they are not distracted or fatigued by it and they can produce more with fewer rejects.
Downtime is a leading drain on productivity. Poorly designed, ill-fitting, uncomfortable PPE results in time wasted trying to adjust it to fit better, frequent breaks, even trips to the dispensary for something to relieve a headache or other ailment. All of which contribute to downtime.
Well designed PPE, loaded with performance and comfort features that allows the wearer to adjust it for a perfect individual fit and feel, and that makes him or her feel like they will return to their families safe and sound each day, will have a positive impact on productivity. And productivity improvement drops straight to the bottom line returning any additional initial investment many times over.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
LOOK BEYOND PPE STANDARDS
Knowing that the PPE you selected contains an ANSI sticker and believing it is the most appropriate for your hazards are first steps. You need to find out how it protects and what are the risks when hazards are more extreme than the ANSI tests. ANSI administers consensus performance standards for most PPE. An ANSI sticker on a product is your assurance that it has been tested to the ANSI standard and passed.
But ANSI standards only test products under laboratory conditions to hypothetical hazards designed to emulate what might happen in the work place. So you need to know exactly how any PPE you are considering works and if and how it can minimize your risk when hazards are different or more severe than lab conditions.
For example, most protective caps appear to be alike, and most if not all contain an ANSI sticker. But if you look beyond the obvious, you will see significant design and performance differences between the brands you may be considering. The optimum protective cap designs have smooth crowns and as many suspension "points" as possible to spread and manage impact force more effectively. But a lot of caps contain reinforcing ribs or ridges in the shells and have 4 or 6 point suspensions. Only the top quality head protection on the market has a smooth crown and an 8 point impact energy control system. Both designs are tested to the ANSI standard and both designs pass, but because the absolute test results are never made public, you never know if one design just sort of passed while the other passed with flying colors. You just know both passed.
The basic impact test for protective caps involves a ball being dropped squarely in the center of the cap. To pass the test the cap shell and suspension must work together to attenuate impact force to an exceptional level. The ribs and ridges in caps with that design reinforce the shell where the drop ball hits to compensate for their 4 or 6 point suspensions. But in real life, falling objects are rarely if ever smooth round balls striking precisely in the center of the cap. If the hazard is a wrench, or screw driver that hits off center, the ribs and ridges can become "catch basins" that can trap the object which concentrates force and over powers the suspension. So a design built for performance in the lab can create unforeseen hazards and increase risk in the workplace.
Because the very essence of risk management is to eliminate risk whenever possible, choosing the top quality protective cap design, with a smooth crown and 8 point impact energy control system, eliminates the risks caused by ribbed caps design and increases the likelihood that the cap will perform better in real life because of the ability of the 8 point suspension to manage impact force better. Two products, both with ANSI stickers, but with different performance functions and capabilities. There is much more than meets the eye like this with all types of PPE. As we detail the different product types, we will make the differences clear.
As part of your OSHA suggested PPE Buying Decision Process, you need to make sure you don't just settle for the minimum. Ask questions, probe deeper, find out exactly how and why the PPE you are considering works. Pay particular attention to performance features and make a determination of the products ability to reduce risk under your working conditions. Ask for samples. Put the products side-by-side and compare them. Try them out. It is a big decision and looking beyond the obvious will pay huge dividends.
But ANSI standards only test products under laboratory conditions to hypothetical hazards designed to emulate what might happen in the work place. So you need to know exactly how any PPE you are considering works and if and how it can minimize your risk when hazards are different or more severe than lab conditions.
For example, most protective caps appear to be alike, and most if not all contain an ANSI sticker. But if you look beyond the obvious, you will see significant design and performance differences between the brands you may be considering. The optimum protective cap designs have smooth crowns and as many suspension "points" as possible to spread and manage impact force more effectively. But a lot of caps contain reinforcing ribs or ridges in the shells and have 4 or 6 point suspensions. Only the top quality head protection on the market has a smooth crown and an 8 point impact energy control system. Both designs are tested to the ANSI standard and both designs pass, but because the absolute test results are never made public, you never know if one design just sort of passed while the other passed with flying colors. You just know both passed.
The basic impact test for protective caps involves a ball being dropped squarely in the center of the cap. To pass the test the cap shell and suspension must work together to attenuate impact force to an exceptional level. The ribs and ridges in caps with that design reinforce the shell where the drop ball hits to compensate for their 4 or 6 point suspensions. But in real life, falling objects are rarely if ever smooth round balls striking precisely in the center of the cap. If the hazard is a wrench, or screw driver that hits off center, the ribs and ridges can become "catch basins" that can trap the object which concentrates force and over powers the suspension. So a design built for performance in the lab can create unforeseen hazards and increase risk in the workplace.
Because the very essence of risk management is to eliminate risk whenever possible, choosing the top quality protective cap design, with a smooth crown and 8 point impact energy control system, eliminates the risks caused by ribbed caps design and increases the likelihood that the cap will perform better in real life because of the ability of the 8 point suspension to manage impact force better. Two products, both with ANSI stickers, but with different performance functions and capabilities. There is much more than meets the eye like this with all types of PPE. As we detail the different product types, we will make the differences clear.
As part of your OSHA suggested PPE Buying Decision Process, you need to make sure you don't just settle for the minimum. Ask questions, probe deeper, find out exactly how and why the PPE you are considering works. Pay particular attention to performance features and make a determination of the products ability to reduce risk under your working conditions. Ask for samples. Put the products side-by-side and compare them. Try them out. It is a big decision and looking beyond the obvious will pay huge dividends.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
ESTABLISH CHOICE CRITERIA
A lot of PPE is similar in appearance. Even the most conscientious buying decision maker has difficulty sorting it all out. What should you look for? How do you tell the difference? What is the value of the differences, if any? If you follow the OSHA guide lines, once you determine the "type" of PPE for your hazards, the next step is to learn as much as you can about what is available in that type of protection.
Trade journal advertising and Directories, the Internet, your sources of supply will all make you aware of the manufacturers of each type of PPE. Their literature will give you a general idea about the features, benefits and value of their brands, but spending the time to sit down and talk with the producers and distributors of the brands you are interested in is critical to the process.
Although different brands of PPE products may seem alike, there are significant differences in design, material, comfort and performance. Have each potential source tell you their "story". If they don't have a "story", dismiss them out of hand. If all they can offer is a "deal" or a lower purchase price, scratch them off of your list. Your PPE budget is not a savings account. It is an investment in reducing injuries and injury costs and only top performing products can produce a return on that investment.
As you listen to each "brand story", you will become aware of various features that are "must have's" and "would be nice to have" for your operation. Those things eventually become the "buying decision choice criteria" you specify. Once your choice criteria are set, instead of specifying a specific brand, you can state to your buying department that "no matter what brand it is, it MUST have this set of features, benefits and values." And don't forget to add "No substitutes" to your requisitions.
Trade journal advertising and Directories, the Internet, your sources of supply will all make you aware of the manufacturers of each type of PPE. Their literature will give you a general idea about the features, benefits and value of their brands, but spending the time to sit down and talk with the producers and distributors of the brands you are interested in is critical to the process.
Although different brands of PPE products may seem alike, there are significant differences in design, material, comfort and performance. Have each potential source tell you their "story". If they don't have a "story", dismiss them out of hand. If all they can offer is a "deal" or a lower purchase price, scratch them off of your list. Your PPE budget is not a savings account. It is an investment in reducing injuries and injury costs and only top performing products can produce a return on that investment.
As you listen to each "brand story", you will become aware of various features that are "must have's" and "would be nice to have" for your operation. Those things eventually become the "buying decision choice criteria" you specify. Once your choice criteria are set, instead of specifying a specific brand, you can state to your buying department that "no matter what brand it is, it MUST have this set of features, benefits and values." And don't forget to add "No substitutes" to your requisitions.
Monday, August 3, 2009
FITTING AND COMFORT ARE IMPORTANT
OSHA studies, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Work Injury Reports, show that roughly 40% of those injured were not wearing the PPE provided to them, and the other 60% were wearing PPE that proved to be inadequate for the hazards present. The percentages vary according to the type of PPE in question, but the "40/60" ratio is a good representation for eye, face, head and hand injuries.
Why don't employees wear PPE that is provided free of charge by their employer? There is some resistance because they think it is not needed, or it isn't "macho", to wear it, or they don't like the way it looks, but most of the resistance is because the worker doesn't like the way it feels (it is too hot, too heavy) and it keeps them from doing their jobs productively.
Most complaints about "feel" are because the PPE was not or could not be adjusted properly for an individual fit and feel. Either the equipment did not contain enough adjustment features, or the buyer was not aware of them and the employees were not trained properly in how to make the protective device fit properly. Once again, trying to save a couple of dollars on the purchase price by selecting cheap ill-fitting PPE that can not be adjusted for a comfortable fit, is a big mistake. The most expensive PPE is that which is not worn. That is something all buying decision makers need to keep in mind and comfort and fitting capabilities should be right after protective capabilities among choice criteria.
The buying decision process also contributes to the 60% of PPE that proved to be inadequate for the hazards. When an accident and injury occurs, there is usually an in depth investigation of what the injured worker was doing, his or her working conditions, the hazards present, the PPE worn in terms of its performance, but no one ever looks at why and how that particular PPE device was selected in the first place. Did the buying decision makers works through the OSHA suggested selection process? Or did they go for a straight re buy (what we always used), or they bought something that was on "sale" (to save a few bucks), or they bought whatever had the lowest purchase price (thinking they were reducing cost) or did they just not do the due diligence to make sure they selected the most appropriate PPE for the hazards present?
You know, the OSHA Appendix to its revised PPE Rule, clearly states that "price shall not be the determining factor" in selecting PPE for an identified hazard. But unfortunately it so often is in todays PPE buying decision process. Comfort, fit, and making sure they are "must haves" in a PPE buying decision process, are important factors in any successful PPE Program.
Why don't employees wear PPE that is provided free of charge by their employer? There is some resistance because they think it is not needed, or it isn't "macho", to wear it, or they don't like the way it looks, but most of the resistance is because the worker doesn't like the way it feels (it is too hot, too heavy) and it keeps them from doing their jobs productively.
Most complaints about "feel" are because the PPE was not or could not be adjusted properly for an individual fit and feel. Either the equipment did not contain enough adjustment features, or the buyer was not aware of them and the employees were not trained properly in how to make the protective device fit properly. Once again, trying to save a couple of dollars on the purchase price by selecting cheap ill-fitting PPE that can not be adjusted for a comfortable fit, is a big mistake. The most expensive PPE is that which is not worn. That is something all buying decision makers need to keep in mind and comfort and fitting capabilities should be right after protective capabilities among choice criteria.
The buying decision process also contributes to the 60% of PPE that proved to be inadequate for the hazards. When an accident and injury occurs, there is usually an in depth investigation of what the injured worker was doing, his or her working conditions, the hazards present, the PPE worn in terms of its performance, but no one ever looks at why and how that particular PPE device was selected in the first place. Did the buying decision makers works through the OSHA suggested selection process? Or did they go for a straight re buy (what we always used), or they bought something that was on "sale" (to save a few bucks), or they bought whatever had the lowest purchase price (thinking they were reducing cost) or did they just not do the due diligence to make sure they selected the most appropriate PPE for the hazards present?
You know, the OSHA Appendix to its revised PPE Rule, clearly states that "price shall not be the determining factor" in selecting PPE for an identified hazard. But unfortunately it so often is in todays PPE buying decision process. Comfort, fit, and making sure they are "must haves" in a PPE buying decision process, are important factors in any successful PPE Program.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
PURCHASE PRICE vs COST AND ROI
Not knowing the differences among what is available usually leads to purchasing what has the cheapest purchase price. That stems from the mindset that PPE is a regulatory expense that should be minimized. But the truth is, PPE should be an investment in reducing costs with an ROI on a par with any other cost cutting measures an employer may be pursuing.
Lost time injuries cost close to $50,000 each today. Non-lost times injuries close to $5,000 and even First Aid cases about $500 each. Investing in quality PPE sufficient to reduce any of those costs even marginally will return the purchase price many times over. Downtime is another major cost. Comfortable, well fitting PPE, helps workers stay on the job longer and produce more. Again, spending a few dollars for design, comfort and fitting features will be returned many times over. An investment in quality PPE also helps to reduce Workers Comp insurance premiums and all of the costs involved with it.
Yes, every company wants to reduce costs. But with PPE it is important to recognize and understand which costs are the target. Do you want to try to save a couple of bucks on the purchase price of a protective cap for example, or do you want to invest that extra couple of bucks in a protective cap that is more likely to prevent or reduce an injury, more likely to be worn because it fits properly, more likely to help the wearer be more productive because it is more comfortable and that reduces the cost of Workers Comp insurance?
Lost time injuries cost close to $50,000 each today. Non-lost times injuries close to $5,000 and even First Aid cases about $500 each. Investing in quality PPE sufficient to reduce any of those costs even marginally will return the purchase price many times over. Downtime is another major cost. Comfortable, well fitting PPE, helps workers stay on the job longer and produce more. Again, spending a few dollars for design, comfort and fitting features will be returned many times over. An investment in quality PPE also helps to reduce Workers Comp insurance premiums and all of the costs involved with it.
Yes, every company wants to reduce costs. But with PPE it is important to recognize and understand which costs are the target. Do you want to try to save a couple of bucks on the purchase price of a protective cap for example, or do you want to invest that extra couple of bucks in a protective cap that is more likely to prevent or reduce an injury, more likely to be worn because it fits properly, more likely to help the wearer be more productive because it is more comfortable and that reduces the cost of Workers Comp insurance?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
PPE BUYING DECISION
OSHA requires PPE but employers are on their own when it comes to trying to decide between the many brands on the market. An appendix to the OSHA Rule lays out a process for selecting PPE. Assess hazards; determine appropriate PPE for the hazards; evaluate what PPE is available; select the most appropriate type, style and brand; train all employees in its use and maintenance. Sounds good. But how do you implement it?
For example, you determine a welding helmet, rather than a faceshield or goggles, is most appropriate for your hazards. You look at all major brands of welding helmets. But how do you tell the difference? What does a good welding helmet look like? What does it consist of? What features and benefits are "must haves"? What determines quality? Unless and until you know the answers to those questions, you cannot possibly select the "most appropriate" welding helmet for your hazards. If you can't tell the difference, often you will buy the cheapest and that could turn out to actually be the most expensive if it does not provide the protective performance you need.
For example, you determine a welding helmet, rather than a faceshield or goggles, is most appropriate for your hazards. You look at all major brands of welding helmets. But how do you tell the difference? What does a good welding helmet look like? What does it consist of? What features and benefits are "must haves"? What determines quality? Unless and until you know the answers to those questions, you cannot possibly select the "most appropriate" welding helmet for your hazards. If you can't tell the difference, often you will buy the cheapest and that could turn out to actually be the most expensive if it does not provide the protective performance you need.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
PPE NOT A COMMODITY
There are vast differences in materials, quality, comfort, and workmanship in PPE. Most is stripped down to a price, but some is built up to a performance standard. Because PPE should be considered an investment, with a measurable ROI, rather than a cost, look for feature rich products that will return an price differential many times over. You cannot save enough money on the purchase price to make a significant difference. Reducing the cost of injuries, workers comp insurance, and downtime will produce a much greater ROI than reducing the purchase price. Purchase prices generally reflect the quality of the products. Things cost less for a reason. Don't wait for an accident to find out what that reason really is.
Friday, May 22, 2009
PPE FALLACY
One of the biggest problems with PPE, is the fallacy that it is a commodity; that it is all alike. That as long as it has an ANSI sticker, it doesn't matter what brand you buy. Many companies see it purely as an expense that should be minimized. Few recognize that when selected properly, it is an investment, with an ROI in terms of reduced injury costs, increased productivity, and improved employee morale. All of which improve the bottom line.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Why A PPE Forum
Safety Officials training covers a lot of important topics related to the process of keeping workers safe. But it is surprisingly light in PPE, the first, and often last, line of defense in the prevention of accidents and injuries. There is also a dearth of information and information sources dedicated to PPE. So we would like to start a conversation about this important safety issue to raise the knowledge level about it and introduce information, knowledge and ideas to the trade.
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