Every worker is exposed to some level of danger on the job. While some occupations are fundamentally more dangerous than others, there is no guarantee that you will not be hurt or unwell at work due to unforeseeable circumstances.
Chemicals, physical objects, electrical components, medical equipment, and other risks can all cause serious illnesses. So, wearing PPE comes to the rescue to protect you from any of these.
This article will show the importance of PPE and why you should always wear it when necessary.
What is PPE?
Individuals are required to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) to lessen their exposure to hazards that can result in severe injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Accidents and illnesses like these could be brought on by various industrial hazards, including chemical, radioactive, physical, electrical, mechanical, and others.
Gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirator coveralls, vests, and full-body suits are all examples of work-related personal protective equipment (PPE).
How PPE Keeps You Safe and Protected
There are various types of PPE, each having specialized equipment developed for a specific function, such as:
Respiratory Protection
Using kn95 masks and respirator masks protects workers on sites where deadly airborne infections are a risk. These masks filter out dust, debris, and potentially hazardous substances, lowering the risk of respiratory sickness.
Face and Eye Protection
On construction sites or in operating rooms, people’s faces and eyes are especially exposed to harm. Face shields and goggles protect workers’ eyes from flying debris on construction sites. Also, face shields and surgical masks are used in hospitals to prevent diseases and dangerous substances from being communicated between medical staff and patients.
Hand and Skin Protection
Hand injuries are widespread in the construction and industrial industries. Gloves and other forms of hand protection are worn to reduce the possibility of serious sickness or damage.
Chemicals and other workplace risks may not cause immediate harm, but they can contribute to serious long-term disorders such as skin cancer or dermatitis. Chemical-resistant gloves are worn by workers in laboratories, hospitals, warehouses, and other hazardous environments to protect their hands and skin.
Head and Hearing Protection
Earplugs and earmuffs are commonly used to prevent hearing loss on construction sites and in noisy work situations. Hard helmets are required in warehouses, construction sites, and some manufacturing areas to protect workers from potentially fatal head trauma.
Importance of Wearing PPEs in the Workplace
You may be used to being put in dangerous situations on the job, but you should never feel your physical well-being is in danger. Here are some of the reasons why workplace PPE is essential.
Protects You from Liability for Your Injuries
One frequent stumbling block that workers’ compensation attorneys face is employees’ refusal to wear PPE despite their employer providing it. As a result, guilt for a workplace illness or injury is frequently murky.
Depending on the situation, wearing all PPE on the job is the best way to ensure that your organization is responsible for any injuries or illnesses. Even for jobs that “only take a few minutes,” you should never allow for PPE exemptions.
The worst-case situation is being found partially accountable in a court of law for your workplace illness or injury caused by a failure to utilize PPE.
As an employee, you should be completely informed about the equipment required for specific duties and what it is intended to protect. If this is not the case, do not hesitate to approach management or your human resources department.
Failure to Safeguard Yourself May Result in Long-term Issues
Feeling fine at the end of your shift does not imply that you have adequately protected your body. Workplace exposure to various chemicals and substances can long-term impact your health, with mesothelioma being a prime example.
Exposure to asbestos fibers used in constructing materials in various sectors was responsible for 70-80% of these diagnoses. According to current safety standards, asbestos workers must now wear particular PPE and shower and change before leaving the workplace. However, before the current regulation, there was no link established between asbestos exposure and cancer diagnosis.
As a result, many of these everyday mesothelioma instances occurred before we knew as much about this disease. Workers should take advantage of today’s medical knowledge about risk factors and utilize PPE to protect their health and well-being, both now and in the future.
You Have Only One Pair of Eyes
One of the most prevalent and effective forms of PPE is safety glasses. This is because any substance, corrosive or not, and any material, sharp or not, can be dangerous when it comes into contact with your eyes.
Over 2.4 million eye injuries occur yearly, both at work and during leisure activities. Approximately 50,000 people lost part or all of their vision as a result of these injuries.
Because 61% of eye injuries occur in manufacturing, construction, or trade industries, it is critical to recognize that different types of PPE eyewear are available for different conditions. Don’t be hesitant to ask about updating your glasses.
Increases the Quality of Your Workday
Consider PPE a support system for the tasks your profession requires of you. It may be more physically demanding or slightly more dangerous than your normal desk work, but the equipment is supplied to make you feel safe.
Heavy lifting requires stability, and weight belts could prevent strained muscles the next day. Measures should be taken to prevent simple trip and fall accidents, which, on the most basic level, simply ruin someone’s day.
Wear the Right Gear for Your Protection
Using and wearing PPE correctly in the workplace is critical to avoid unnecessary damage. Not using the right equipment can be risky, especially when it could save your life. Unless otherwise specified, staff should always supply personnel with the necessary PPE.
Don’t hesitate to ask temporary hiring companies if they have the right PPE. Safety is critical; understanding these numerous safety equipment can help avoid dangerous injuries.
