What is the Role of PPE in Workplace Safety?

Consider these headlines:-

“Factory worker injured in a factory in an easily avoidable accident.”

“An N.Y nurse died. Furious Co-workers blamed lack of PPE.”

The motive is not to generate panic in people who are reading this post but making them aware of what can happen if they are not caring for their safety. As COVID-19 continues to rattle the world, the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), especially for health and security workers are on the increase. Just like a spacesuit is needed to keep astronauts alive and safe in the harsh environment of outer space; likewise PPE is required in order to keep workers safe from all kinds of physical dangers at work. 

What is PPE?

PPE is protective clothing that is worn by the workers to protect themselves from the potential chemical, physical, and biological hazards at the workplace. Mainly, it includes protective full-body aprons, gloves, helmet, goggles, and safety footwear to protect the body from against health or safety risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “PPE is most important in preventing transmission of the Ebola virus.”

What is the role of PPE in averting risks?

If you have not worked in the dangerous work environment, it is not easy for you to comprehend what it is like working in setting where you don’t have enough protection gears to save you from workplace mishaps. PPE is essential for workplace security. Companies, particularly from healthcare, manufacturing, chemical, engineering and construction domains, should provide appropriate PPE to their employees. If you are an employer, you have to provide your workers with a safe work environment. Here is the list of the potential risks that can be avoided with the use of PPE.

• Selecting the right PPE: One size doesn’t fit all! When a specific work environment only requires minimal protective measures, what is needed for your factory? A robust PPE should be made available before sending workers out to do any job. On the other hand, favouring cheap, non-compliant products over legitimate, standards approved PPE product will put your workers in grave danger. 

• Training to use PPE: Many workers don’t know how to use PPE. Therefore, sufficient proper training needs to be given in how to fit and wear protective equipment. Incorrectly worn PPE can reduce its effectiveness and result in injuries.

• Care and storage: PPE should be cleaned, cared, and stored correctly according to the instructions provided by its manufacturer. Further, provide the workers with appropriate tools to keep PPE in good condition. Check the product for damage regularly and replace it, if required.

• Certified PPE: At last but not the least, as employers, you need to determine whether the PPE is safe, reliable, and certified to perform the task it is intended to do. 

Take-Away:

Let’s make workplace safety a crucial part of your work culture. Remember, Personal protective gears can save lives. Making working aware of the potential hazards at their place of business can reduce the injury and other problems. Providing hats, safety vests, boots and more for your workplace are the best way to curtail exposure to injuries at the workplace.