Personal Projective Equipment (PPE), plays a proven role in workplace safety. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, out of 770 workers who suffered facial related injuries, only 1 percent were wearing proper protection. The study also concluded that only 16 percent of employees who sustained head injuries were wearing hard hats.
Results from studies such as the one mentioned above have led to OSHA laws requiring employers to provide PPE. Employers must also provide OSHA employee training on proper PPE use. However, despite the laws & the effectiveness of PPE, not all employees gear up! Whether you have a stubborn employee or are looking for ways to increase the safety culture within your organization, this blog post will provide tips for increasing Employee PPE compliance!
1. Discuss The Importance Of PPE: You ever find an item in the good ole' junk drawer and have no idea what it is for (power cord, little bags of hardware, an old note)? - Chances are your going toss that item out as you've went this long without using it.... Then all of the sudden you discover it's use when it's too late. The same can be said for PPE, except the "too late" can have serious consequences (injury and or fatal). If your employees are not aware of their PPE's intended function along with the risks their job entails, what would drive them to gear up? It's important to clearly lay out the risks if proper PPE is not used with your employees. Try using actual cases to show that the risks are real and can happen to anyone! - This shouldn't be just a one time thing either, refresher courses should be done atleast quarterly or if a contractor, at each new job site.
2. Show Proper Usage: Training your employees on how to properly handle / wear / maintain their PPE is beneficial to your team's safety & increases PPE compliance. When PPE is handled & worn properly the gear is most effective, will last longer & is more comfortable to wear for your employees!
3. Get Employee Feedback: You dont have to do all of the talking, it's also important to listen! - What do your employees have to say about the PPE? What do they like? What are their complaints? - You can even get them involved prior to selecting model / brand of PPE. - Listening / Acting on employee feedback shows them that their voices are heard along with allowing the organization to provide PPE solutions that keep your employees safe & happy!
4. Remind Employees Why They Work Safe: This can be done in a variety of ways, some companies will have their employees create a "Why I work Safe Board" These could include; pictures of ones family, favorite hobbies, essentially important aspects of your employees lives that they wouldn't be able to enjoy if a fatal or serious injury occured. Boards like these serve as impactful reminders to your employees to stay safe not only for themselves but, for others! Based on your companies setting, these boards could be placed on a community bulletin board, employees locker, inside of personal work vehicles, etc. Other ideas to remind your workers why they work safe could be; placement of"PPE Required" signage, Writing loved ones names on PPE, or gathering the team for a weekly safety pledge meeting!
5. Lead By Example: If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk! No one is above PPE and accidents don't play favorites. Wearing PPE where PPE is required offers a reminder to others along with building / maintaining a SAFETY FIRST culture!
While these tips are intended to increase PPE compliance among employees, no situation is exactly the same & may call for processes not mentioned in this blog post. The most important thing is understanding your company and the PPE required for its operations along with implementing safety practices that retain well with your employees!
Personal Projective Equipment (PPE), plays a proven role in workplace safety. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, out of 770 workers who suffered facial related injuries, only 1 percent were wearing proper protection. The study also concluded that only 16 percent of employees who sustained head injuries were wearing hard hats.
Results from studies such as the one mentioned above have led to OSHA laws requiring employers to provide PPE. Employers must also provide OSHA employee training on proper PPE use. However, despite the laws & the effectiveness of PPE, not all employees gear up! Whether you have a stubborn employee or are looking for ways to increase the safety culture within your organization, this blog post will provide tips for increasing Employee PPE compliance!
1. Discuss The Importance Of PPE: You ever find an item in the good ole' junk drawer and have no idea what it is for (power cord, little bags of hardware, an old note)? - Chances are your going toss that item out as you've went this long without using it.... Then all of the sudden you discover it's use when it's too late. The same can be said for PPE, except the "too late" can have serious consequences (injury and or fatal). If your employees are not aware of their PPE's intended function along with the risks their job entails, what would drive them to gear up? It's important to clearly lay out the risks if proper PPE is not used with your employees. Try using actual cases to show that the risks are real and can happen to anyone! - This shouldn't be just a one time thing either, refresher courses should be done atleast quarterly or if a contractor, at each new job site.
2. Show Proper Usage: Training your employees on how to properly handle / wear / maintain their PPE is beneficial to your team's safety & increases PPE compliance. When PPE is handled & worn properly the gear is most effective, will last longer & is more comfortable to wear for your employees!
3. Get Employee Feedback: You dont have to do all of the talking, it's also important to listen! - What do your employees have to say about the PPE? What do they like? What are their complaints? - You can even get them involved prior to selecting model / brand of PPE. - Listening / Acting on employee feedback shows them that their voices are heard along with allowing the organization to provide PPE solutions that keep your employees safe & happy!
4. Remind Employees Why They Work Safe: This can be done in a variety of ways, some companies will have their employees create a "Why I work Safe Board" These could include; pictures of ones family, favorite hobbies, essentially important aspects of your employees lives that they wouldn't be able to enjoy if a fatal or serious injury occured. Boards like these serve as impactful reminders to your employees to stay safe not only for themselves but, for others! Based on your companies setting, these boards could be placed on a community bulletin board, employees locker, inside of personal work vehicles, etc. Other ideas to remind your workers why they work safe could be; placement of"PPE Required" signage, Writing loved ones names on PPE, or gathering the team for a weekly safety pledge meeting!
5. Lead By Example: If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk! No one is above PPE and accidents don't play favorites. Wearing PPE where PPE is required offers a reminder to others along with building / maintaining a SAFETY FIRST culture!
While these tips are intended to increase PPE compliance among employees, no situation is exactly the same & may call for processes not mentioned in this blog post. The most important thing is understanding your company and the PPE required for its operations along with implementing safety practices that retain well with your employees!