Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered the last line of defense against occupational safety and health hazards; however, it is still an essential aspect of a safety program. And because PPE can’t provide the right level of protection if it’s worn or otherwise damaged, all levels of management should regularly observe workers and their PPE.
“It’s always good when workers are in the habit of using their PPE, but workplace habits can sometimes lead to inattention,” said SMG Senior Safety Advisor Floyd Campbell. “A worker may wear their eye protection every day, but each day, that PPE wears out a little more. The worker may not notice it’s no longer capable of providing the expected level of protection from hazards.” Campbell said regular PPE inspections can provide several benefits on jobsites.
“The obvious benefit is improved safety — effective PPE is much better at providing the desired protection,” he said. “Improved safety translates to reduced costs for injuries and damage. What may surprise some managers is the role effective PPE can play in building morale. When workers see managers prioritize their safety, they feel valued and are more likely to comply with both safety regulations and workplace expectations.”
Each workplace is different, so processes for inspecting PPE should reflect the nature of the site. On some worksites, a designated individual like a supervisor is expected to go around the site and ensure workers are wearing what they should and that what they’re wearing meets standards. Other employers expect workers to thoroughly review their own PPE at the start of the workday or after breaks and immediately replace it if problems are detected. “You can use an enforcement-based approach, but it’s far more effective when workers step up and take responsibility for their own safety,” Campbell said.
Following safe practices such as regular PPE inspections is only one part of the approach. “As with so many other facets of safety, it’s important to document PPE inspections,” Campbell said. “That includes a clear plan for how PPE will be inspected, who will be responsible for performing those inspections and how any problems encountered will be resolved. That way, you’ll be ready to respond to an OSHA inspector’s questions about PPE in a way that strengthens their confidence in your safety program.”
An effective strategy for tracking information about PPE is to develop a simple checklist of what should be inspected. Your checklist can include items such as:
- The type of PPE being worn
- The condition of the PPE
- The fit of the PPE
- The expiration date (if any) for the PPE
- Who conducted the inspection
Campbell said it’s important to set a firm schedule for inspections, whether it’s the beginning of every shift or whatever interval works best for your workplace. “These inspections are an important part of any workplace safety program. Adding them to your daily safety observations protects your workers from injuries and accidents.”
Regular inspections, evaluation and constant attention are required to effectively manage and maintain your EHS program. Even companies with safety experts on staff often require support and specific skill sets from other experts in the industry, and that’s where SMG steps in. Learn more about our scope of services.
