There are many reasons why a member of your workforce might not want to put on and wear protective equipment. Often, PPE is uncomfortable, and many workers may even feel that it is unnecessary.
Even the employers themselves are often at fault and fail to provide their teams with the PPE essentials that are vital in the workplace. If you want to keep your workers and your business safer, follow and enforce these seven best PPE practices.
Best PPE Practice #1: Comfort
While a lot of protective equipment can be uncomfortable, you can make sure that your team gets the job done in comfort by focusing on getting the right gear. Essentials like earplugs need to be fitted correctly, and protective glasses need to be able to cope with high humidity or rapid temperature shifts. The more comfortable your PPE, the more likely it will be worn.
Best PPE Practice #2: Think Seasonally
Work environments change with the seasons, so make sure that your protective gear is just as comfortable and safe in the winter as it is in mid-summer. Thick gloves might be good for comfort and workload in the winter, but you may need to offer other options in the warmer months.
Best PPE Practice #3: Safety Training
The best way to make sure your PPE is being used (and being used correctly) is to have regular training sessions. Once up and running, be sure to use these sessions to:
Highlight Hazards in the Workplace
Make sure that your team knows exactly what dangers they might encounter on a working day.
Educate on How to Use PPE
Workers will be more likely to use their protective gear if they know how to use it correctly.
Identify Consequences for Lack of PPE
Ensure that you identify the potential injuries that your employees are exposed to every time they tackle a task with the appropriate workwear. Highlight the need to follow the best PPE practices.
Best PPE Practice #4: Safety Checks
All work equipment needs to be checked for imperfections and wear and tear, and your PPE is no different. Your workers will be more likely to wear their protective clothing if they know that it will be effective at protecting them. Make PPE checks a regular task.
Best PPE Practice #5: Know What’s Needed
The best way to ensure that your team uses their PPE is to make sure that you’re following the legislative best PPE practices. Different work environments have different rules and regulations in terms of health and safety, so make sure that you know what’s expected and that you are always compliant. This will show your team that you value their safety.
Best PPE Practice #6: Make it Easy
Don’t make it a challenging and drawn-out process to book out essential equipment, and don’t keep it stored too far away from where it’s needed. Keep your PPE close and make the booking system as easy as possible, and you’ll find that the equipment is much more likely to be used.
Best PPE Practice #7: Enforce Use
Supervisors and managers need to make sure that PPE is being used when it is supposed to be. Any non-compliance should be addressed and repeat offenders should be disciplined. Highlight the fact that any injuries caused by the lack of best PPE practices will affect the business as much as the individual.
Let CHARNAUD Be Your Last Line of Defence
Personal Protective Equipment keeps you, your team, and your business safe from potential risks. Take the time to develop a training and enforcement strategy for your workplace PPE use and you will be protecting your brand and your team at the same time. If you fail to implement these best PPE practices, your business is at risk. Chat to CHARNAUD about your PPE requirements today