Safety in the workplace is more than just avoiding spills, burns, or other accidents. It should focus on preventing harm to workers as much as possible by using personal protective equipment (PPE) that’s appropriate to the task at hand. The Dallas work injury lawyers at Wolf Law PLLC describe why PPE is important in the workplace and what to do if you are hurt on the job.
OSHA Standards for Workplaces
When employers are unable to adequately protect employees from workplace hazards with engineering, work practice, or administrative controls, they must provide personal protection equipment (PPE) as described by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and ensure workers are trained to use it properly. OSHA’s mission is to ensure workers in America can perform their duties in a safe and healthful working environment. Employers are required to protect workers from hazards in the workplace that can cause injury or illness.
Despite OSHA standards requiring employers to provide PPE and workers to use it, a significant number of annual workplace injuries and illnesses continue to be caused by the neglect or improper use of PPE.
Employers can help reduce the unnecessary injuries and illnesses attributed to the improper use of PPE by emphasizing the importance of safety and working with employees to develop safety practices that incorporate worker feedback.
PPE Helps Prevent Accidents and Injuries
PPE includes the clothing and equipment OSHA has determined necessary to keep workers safe on the job. PPE can include gloves, safety glasses, boots, ear protection, hard hats, respirators, and body suits.
Employers are required to:
- Identify physical and health hazards.
- Provide appropriate and adequate PPE for workers.
- Train workers on how to use and care for PPE.
- Maintain PPE in good working condition.
- Update PPE as appropriate.
Workers are required to:
- Use PPE as recommended.
- Get trained on proper use of their PPE.
- Care for their PPE.
- Alert supervisors if the PPE is not performing properly.
Reasons Why Workers May Not Use PPE
A recent study by the J.J. Keller Center for Market Insights revealed that over 90% of the employers surveyed experienced some kind of pushback from employees regarding the use of PPE. The primary reasons given for employee resistance to following PPE standards were:
- Don’t want to wear PPE – 72%
- Don’t think PPE is necessary – 50%
- Makes the job harder – 50%
- Didn’t know it was required – 21%
- PPE didn’t fit properly – 14%
Employers also reported challenges in getting PPE in the right sizes to fit employees and because workers found the gear extremely uncomfortable to wear in the heat.
Another recent study looked at PPE non-compliance among construction workers. Construction workers make up about 3% of the national workforce, but the industry is responsible for close to 20% of workplace fatalities. The study identified 16 factors that contributed to PPE non-use, including:
- Poor fit and comfort
- Poor climate adaptation
- Increased work time or effort
- Restricted ability to move
- Lack of support by management
- Lack of training
Everyone Benefits From PPE Use in the Workplace
The statistics show that the proper use of PPE can prevent a significant number of workplace injuries and illnesses. PPE is designed to protect workers from chemical, electrical, mechanical, and radiological hazards, but only if it is used and operates properly.
If used correctly, PPE could prevent over one million workplace injuries each year in the United States. An obvious benefit is the reduction in costs associated with injured workers. Those costs can include insurance payments, medical expenses, and lost productivity. Workers who commit to using PPE can save themselves and their families from unnecessary physical, emotional, and financial hardship.
What Employers Can Do to Encourage PPE Use
Getting workers to properly and consistently use PPE is a tough task for many employers. Employers who are committed to preventing workplace injury and illness can ensure the highest rates of PPE compliance by implementing policies that prioritize safety and incorporate employee suggestions.
Culture of Safety
Remind workers of the importance of safety with posted signage and periodic meetings. Make sure PPE is readily available and easy to access. PPE should be in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards. Providing incentives can also help workers remember to use PPE.
Lead by Example
Workers are more likely to understand the importance of using PPE if their supervisors and managers demonstrate a commitment to consistently adhering to safety standards. In OSHA’s list of the top 10 most frequently violated safety standards for fiscal year 2023, the construction industry received the most citations, claiming the number 1 spot with over 7,000 violations for inadequate fall protection.
Construction again made the list at number 8 for inadequate fall protection training. Falls could potentially stop being a primary cause of injury and death for workers in the construction industry if employers would prioritize fall protection safety standards.
Employee Training
Training workers on when and how to use PPE helps them understand the risks and why the safety equipment is necessary to protect them while performing certain tasks. Periodic continuing education keeps employees in practice and up to date on the latest safety developments.
Feedback and Evaluation
Soliciting regular feedback from workers on PPE usage and effectiveness helps employers identify compliance issues and provides data that can be used to make changes intended to motivate employee compliance.
Consult a Dallas Work Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt on the Job
When personal protection equipment is required to perform work duties, there is a significant potential for injury or illness if the PPE is not used properly. PPE that is not up to date, not kept in good working condition, or does not fit a worker properly may not do the job it is designed to do, and employees can be seriously injured as a result.
If you were injured on the job in Texas, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. A work injury lawyer at Wolf Law, PLLC in Dallas, can help you build a strong claim and strive for a favorable outcome. With a reputation for exceeding client expectations, Wolf Law, PLLC is tough on opponents and gentle with clients.
Schedule a free consultation and find out how Wolf Law, PLLC, can represent you today.