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.

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.