Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps to protect the wearer from any health and safety risks while they are in the middle of an activity. Everything from oven gloves to aprons can be classed as a types of PPE, and it’s something that’s mostly used in workplace settings.
In fact, there has been a lot of emphasis on this equipment in the last year as its role is so crucial in a variety of settings where workers are at risk of being exposed to hazards that can impact their health. potentially be hazardous.
But how important is PPE in the day-to-day? And why should business owners invest in robust PPE for their staff?
Why is PPE important?
Most workplaces have their hazards. There are trip risks in offices where there is a lot of wiring and the risk of bumping your head on shelving if you work on a shop floor. There are industries that are more hazardous than others, too. For instance, if you oversee a construction site or you’re a self-employed joiner, there are certain health and safety considerations to make that you might not need to factor in if you have a desk-based job.
However, whatever sector you work in, it’s crucial that both employers and employees are aware of anything that could lead to an accident at work.
Injuries do happen, even in workplaces where there are safety measures in place. According to the Health and Safety Executive, annually between 2017/18 and 2019/20, 610,000 workers were injured in workplace accidents on average. Also, 559,000 workers experienced ill health that they believed was caused or was made worse by their work.
What are the different types of PPE?
One way to reduce the number of people injured at work is to introduce PPE. It’s important because it includes protective clothing that can prevent injuries or make injuries less severe. When employers invest in PPE, they will need to look at what the most common risks are in the industry they work in and buy the right kit for the task.
For instance, there is a higher risk of objects falling or low beams getting in the way for workers on a building site, so safety helmets are a key requirement. For those who run a car garage or work in construction, gloves protect hands from saws and welding equipment.
The main types of PPE that you might need to consider include eye protection, gloves, hi-vis clothing, hard hats and helmets, safety footwear – usually steel-capped boots, and respiratory equipment including masks.
There are other types that you may need to add, depending on your profession. This could be overalls or knee pads. The knees are often overlooked when it comes to PPE, but wear and tear to the knees can be detrimental after years of kneeling and lifting, so high-quality knee pads can go a long way towards providing protection.
Why businesses should encourage PPE?
There are different reasons why PPE is important. For employees, by being provided with the right PPE can make work safe. This, in turn, be good for the physical health of the employees and add to the quality of the workday as workers who feel safe are likely to be happy to get on with the task at hand – and this can be great for employers too.
Protecting your workers means you’re more likely to have a happy team. It’s also good from a reputation point of view as you’re showing you care.
Therefore, having the right PPE is ideal for any workplace that requires protective clothing.
