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.