The role of PPE in reducing workplace accidents and injuries
Unfortunately, accidents do happen in the workplace and as a business owner, you have several legal responsibilities when it comes to reporting them and keeping your workplace safe. Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is an essential part of minimising accidents and injuries in the workplace. Ensuring the safety of your workers is imperative whatever industry you are in.
PPE equipment must be used properly for it to be effective. This applies to both employers as well as employees themselves. Let’s take a look at how PPE helps as well as how to implement it properly in your workplace.
The role of PPE in workplace safety
PPE has become synonymous with the pandemic when in fact it has been a staple across the business world for years.
The construction industry, for example, has been using PPE such as high-vis jackets, hard hats and work boots for years to keep workers safe in such as dangerous industry. But PPE isn’t only applicable to the more stereotypically dangerous industries.
Safety shoes for food workers are another example of PPE which is designed to be comfortable but functional. In this case, it prevents slips and trips which are common in the food and drink industry.
How to implement PPE in workplace safety
There are several things to consider when it comes to making sure you have an adequate level of PPE for your workers. Here are three steps to make sure PPE is being implemented properly in your business.
1. Selection
The PPE market is a vast one with PPE to cover every industry and every potential hazard so it can be hard to choose the right equipment. You will need to think about who is exposed to the hazard, how long they are exposed to it and what the hazard is.
By arming yourself with this information, you will be able to make an appropriate choice. If you aren’t confident with your own knowledge, seek advice from your workers. By involving them in the process, they will be able to tell you the reality of working with the potential hazard and give you invaluable insight.
2. Using PPE
Once you have received your order of PPE you must make sure that your workers can use it properly. An ill-fitting respirator mask, for example, can be dangerous and will not protect your employee at all.
You could introduce mandatory training for all workers who will be using the equipment. That way you can be sure everyone has had the same information and training.
3. Maintaining PPE properly
Maintenance of PPE is both the responsibility of the employer and the employees. Employees should come to their managers when something isn’t working properly so that it can be investigated.
Management should also schedule regular maintenance checks according to manufacturer instructions. By combining this responsibility, you can be confident that your staff are using safe equipment that has no potential issues.