Personal protective equipment, or PPE, often serves as the last line of defense between a worker and serious harm. As a result, PPE that fits and is appropriate for a particular workplace and that addresses hazards effectively can mean the difference between injury and safety.
While many employers provide PPE, not all equipment is created equal. Differences in design, quality and suitability for the job can be truly meaningful if a worker encounters a significant hazard. As a result, it is important that workers and employers alike understand what constitutes truly sufficient PPE in order to ensure that workers are outfitted properly.
PPE is a high-stakes concern
Helmets are a clear example of the ways in which some PPE is adequate for a particular concern, and some is not. A hard hat designed for construction may offer protection from falling objects, but it may not protect a worker from electrical hazards or lateral impacts unless it meets the correct safety rating. If an employer provides a helmet that is not suited to the specific risks of the job, the worker may suffer serious injuries as a result. Therefore, researching which helmets are best for a given task – and which do and do not perform well – is important. This principle applies across all types of PPE, from safety glasses to gloves, respirators to footwear.
The condition of PPE also matters. Worn-out helmets, frayed harnesses and scratched goggles may not function as intended. Regular inspections, timely replacements and adherence to manufacturer guidelines are necessary to better ensure that equipment provides the level of protection required. Unfortunately, some workplaces cut corners by failing to maintain PPE properly or by issuing generic equipment that does not match the hazards present.
Workers’ compensation cases often illustrate the high-stakes need for adequate PPE, and the dangers of inadequate PPE. When gear fails, employees may suffer head injuries, respiratory problems, burns and other preventable harm. While workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical treatment and lost wages, it is ideal for workers to avoid harm in the first place. In many cases, the root cause is not that PPE was absent but that it was poorly chosen or not maintained.
All PPE is not created equal, and treating it as interchangeable can put lives at risk. When employers fail in this duty, workers’ compensation may be the only recourse available for injured employees.