Whether you work in construction, oil and gas, mining, or another high-risk field, you should use PPE as your first defense against serious injury.
In this post, we’ll cover 5 important reasons to wear PPE every time you need it — for your safety, your mental health, and your future.
1. PPE Keeps You Safe on the Job
PPE protects you from life-changing injuries. That includes things like head trauma, burns, broken bones, and long-term illness. PPE can’t help if you don’t wear it — or if you wear the wrong kind.
If you don’t wear a helmet, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury. Skip a mask, and you could breathe in toxic fumes. Even one mistake could end your career or change your life.
Some of the most common Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) safety violations involve PPE misuse or neglect, including:
- Failing to protect against falls
- Not telling other workers or supervisors about hazards
- Failing to use lockout/tagout procedures for hazardous energy sources
- Using ladders in an unsafe manner
- Not using respiratory protective gear
- Failing to use eye and face protection equipment
Most people think about using PPE to avoid sudden injury from an accident. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns about long-term dangers like cancer from exposure to toxic materials. No disease or injury is worth the cost of your future when your employer supplies the equipment you need, so always use it every time the task requires it.
No injury is worth your future. If PPE is available, use it every time.
2. PPE Protects Your Mental Health
In fields such as construction and oilfield work, you may spend much of your day high in the air or working with heavy machinery. These can be high-stress conditions, putting strain on your body in more ways than just physically. You must be constantly alert for dangers and ways to prevent them.
This mental load can wear you down and slow your reflexes. When you wear PPE every time it’s needed and follow all safety protocols for harnesses and other equipment, you can reduce some of that stress. You can worry less and focus more on your job, limiting the chance that you will make a mistake and get hurt.
Not all PPE fits everyone the same. Many types are designed for average-sized men, which may not provide full protection for all body types. The 2022 Equitable PPE Protections Workshop highlighted the need for inclusive PPE options to reduce injury risks across diverse workforces.
3. Wearing PPE Sets a Good Example
Part of every job involves showing others how things should be done. You may be new at your company, but by using PPE consistently and correctly, you are on your way to inspiring others to be safe. In addition, you make the whole workforce safer by taking the time to inspect your gear and report problems to your manager.
If you’re a supervisor or manager, you set an example for your employees to follow company policy and federal safety standards. Every workplace wants to be productive, but not at the cost of the health or lives of its workers. By using PPE yourself and insisting that all employees do, you protect them from preventable harm and contribute to the success of your company.
It’s also vital to walk the walk of using PPE every day, since many illnesses occur after years of exposure. For example, failing to wear hearing protection in construction or other noisy environments slowly erodes a person’s hearing. The Department of Labor reports that as many as 22 million workers are at risk of hearing loss on the job, with about 12,000 people experiencing it every year.
4. PPE Protects You From Legal and Financial Trouble
Your employer must provide appropriate kinds and amounts of PPE for you, under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation provided by OSHA. If they don’t, they could face fines and penalties for violating the standards. However, if the PPE is available and you don’t use it correctly all the time, you increase your chances of getting hurt.
Suppose you skip putting on PPE for a quick job and suffer a deep cut. You could bear some of the liability for your injuries. When you file your claim for work injury insurance benefits, the insurance company will investigate and determine whether you contributed to your accident. If they find you didn’t use PPE, they could reduce or deny your benefits, or you could lose your lawsuit if you file one.
Skipping PPE, even once, could cost you your health — and your compensation.
5. PPE Helps Your Employer Stay OSHA-Compliant
OSHA requires that all employers provide PPE for their workers, and they will face penalties if they violate the PPE standards. Although OSHA cannot hold you personally responsible as an employee, it can issue citations to your employer, who may choose to terminate your employment. This is because most companies have official policies that require all workers to adhere to safety requirements.
In extreme circumstances, your employer could go out of business, leaving you and your coworkers without income. The best course of action for everyone is to wear PPE every time it’s needed and report any defects or inadequate materials to your supervisor. This practice keeps employees safe and the business operating productively.
