Prevention is Better than the Cure – Wear your PPE
November 16, 2023
By the Risk Management Team
The SUNZ Insurance Risk Management Team is dedicated to enhancing safety and wellness practices for our insureds. We want to provide you with the tools, knowledge, and resources to outfit your crew with the appropriate protection equipment. Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE has become a familiar topic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the medical field, but it is required across multiple industries. Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is the equipment worn in the workplace that lowers exposure to hazards that could cause injury or spread illness. It is commonly considered the last line of defense, as shown in NIOSH’s Hierarchy of Controls, but is essential to protect workers from workplace elements that cannot be controlled by other measures. PPE can include proper respiratory, skin, chemical, head, hearing, and eye protections, but vary depending on your risk exposure.
According to OSHA, proper use of PPE can prevent 37.6% of occupational injuries and diseases. 12% – 14% of occupational injuries resulting in total disability are caused by employees not wearing appropriate PPE. – ScienceDirect Article. The first step for implanting PPE in the workplace, is establishing a Safety Program. OSHA recommends an assessment be conducted on a workplace to determine what PPE is needed and will be added to the Safety Program.
Conducting a safety assessment and establishing a Safety Program that includes PPE use is critical for identifying hazards in the workplace, establishing what is needed to mitigate the exposures, ensuring correct PPE usage, and would include a clear outline of who pays for what type of PPE. OSHA regulation requires employers pay for certain PPE to comply with OSHA standards.
Which Party is Responsible for Providing Different Types of PPE (Examples)
Employer:
• Goggles / Face Shields
• Earplugs / Earmuffs
• Respirators
• Infectious agent(s) protections
• Fall Protection
• Hard hats
• Reflective work vests
• Chemical resistant gloves, aprons, and clothing
Employee:
• Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (i.e., steel-toe boots/shoes) *
• Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear*
• Everyday clothing
• Logging Boots
• Clothing, creams, or any other item(s) used to protect an employee from weather elements (i.e., jackets, gloves, raincoats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)
*If these items can be worn by the employee off the jobsite.
The above list are only some examples, not a full list. This OSHA handout – Employers Must Provide and Pay for PPE> – is a helpful two-page document that can direct you to specific OSHA standards. Additionally, review the following helpful factors for implementing, maintaining, and using PPE.
Considerations for PPE
Training:
• Equipment training must be provided to any incoming employee.
• Provide refresher courses for existing employees on a regular basis.
• Notify every employee of safety procedure changes.
• Make sure PPE location is known to all employees.
Equipment:
• Complete PPE Hazard Assessments for all necessary PPE.
• Employers checks regularly that equipment is cleaned, stored, maintained, and working correctly.
• Clothing, hats, vests, and similar equipment should be properly fitting, otherwise it becomes a hazard.
• Must be appropriate for the work being performed.
Safety Surveys & Assessments:
• Ensure OSHA regulations and industry standards are being met or exceeded.
• The employer can adjust equipment based on what employees need.
• Allows for proper replacement for PPE when it is outdated.
• Can be conducted by a qualified third party for anonymous and unbiased results.
Safety is an effort by both employer and employee. Ensuring proper PPE is in place and used correctly is critical in any workplace that requires it. Put the above tips into practice to protect your employees and your company.
Brush up on more Personal Protective Equipment with these additional resources:
| OSHA | Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs | |
| CDC |
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| NIOSH |
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| Risk Management Center (RMC) | Visit the Risk Management Center (RMC) for eLearning Courses, Videos, Training Material, and Safety Information (English & Spanish versions available for many resources). |
For assistance with Personal Protective Equipment or any other safety needs for your company, employees, or clients, contact the SUNZ Insurance Risk Management Team.
We are here to help!
About Sunz
We shine by providing nationwide ‘A-rated’ coverage to PEOs, staffing agencies, transportation companies, and large companies. It is vital for an effective operation and profitable workers’ compensation program to control the amount of a claim when it happens and manage it efficiently and successfully. We first place a strong emphasis on prevention which minimizes the risk for claims. Our team of loss prevention professionals will provide you with the tools needed to have a safe and productive work environment. Embrace the power to be different and contact us today: info@sunzinsurance.com
