During 2009, we talked about PPE collectively. We talked about how it is not a commodity; how there are vast differences in quality and performance among brands; how it can increase productivity and improve profitability; why it should be one of the ten most important products your company buys; how there are tangible and intangible components that must be considered and many other things intended to increase your knowledge level about PPE and all it can and should do to contribute to your safety program and the success of your business.
In coming posts, we will now turn to talking about specific PPE product types. We will talk about design, materials, performance, comfort, and intangibles. We will compare brands and look at the differences and the value of those differences. Our goal is to raise your level of knowledge about each product type so that you can make a better buying decision using enhanced choice criteria.
We thank you for your comments and welcome your suggestions.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PPE "ADDED VALUE" AND "VALUE ADDED"
"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.
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.
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.
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