How to maximise PPE use onsite

The improper use or lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) is responsible for hundreds of thousands of preventable accidents each year, writes PAUL GILES, Regional Manager at Portwest.

Despite being a well-known issue, the Safe Work Australia: Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024 Report states that accidents were the cause of 139,000 serious workers compensation claims in 2023.

To help mitigate injury onsite, it’s clear that improving proper PPE usage should be a priority for all organisations. This will require procurement managers to understand the correct options for each role, ensuring workwear is well fitted to reduce barriers to usage, and reframing attitudes towards the importance of properly wearing PPE.

The importance of education

Investing time into comprehensive PPE training is vital. Seeking out the right expert advice to keep staff as safe as possible, specifically around the proper usage of PPE, is critical. PPE works best when used alongside other control measures, but most importantly, it needs to be suitable for the nature of the work being done.

In some cases, PPE and garments that aren’t fit for the purpose of the job are requested by organisations. Every task is different — don’t assume that the gear for one job will always fit the safety requirements of the next. Take gloves, for example. If teams are working with glass, gloves that feature Cut 5 (Cut E) resistance are paramount. If they’re just working with sheet metal, however, Cut 3 (Cut C) gloves are sufficient. Knowing what the team is working with and what gear is going to best protect them is pivotal.

It is crucial to stay on top of safety laws and regulations that are industry-relevant and constantly evolving. So, if a team is working with airborne particles or hazardous substances, it is important to know which safety glasses meet the ANZ AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 minimum safety standard. If working with a team that needs to be decked out in high-vis, it is essential that all garments comply with the AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 standard — which is a must for all high-vis. By understanding unique industry needs, procurement teams can better work with suppliers to provide not only the best PPE, but the right PPE, backed by national safety regulations.

Prioritise comfort and fit

It’s easy to gravitate towards the most convenient PPE option. This is particularly common when it comes to hand protection. People assume that just because they can get it on, this means it’s the best size for them. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case.

The reality is, making sure PPE is comfortable and fits well makes it a lot more likely for it to be worn properly and effectively protect the wearer.

Safe Work Australia highlights the duty that a person conducting a business or undertaking has when selecting PPE that is both comfortable and fits well. It is also their responsibility to ensure that workers are provided with enough PPE that is well maintained and replaced when needed.

Businesses need to buy enough PPE gear for their team, with a surplus to account for items that are damaged. This is where buying quality products that stand the test of time can make a real difference. Additionally, educating teams on proper care to help maximise longevity will reduce turnover. For example, if a high-vis shirt is incorrectly washed and hung out in 40°C weather for days, it’ll soon need replacing.

Check in with workplace culture

A study in the Journal of Safety Research found that both the absence and inappropriate use of PPE — referred to as PPE non-compliance — are major causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries at construction workplaces. The manufacturing industry can learn from this insight.

The study found that the role of safety culture and climate, combined with worker attitudes towards safety and PPE, was a huge factor contributing to these statistics. Because of this, it’s clear that a shift in workplace culture is often needed to help employees incorporate PPE as an accepted non-negotiable.

This requires workplaces to change the narrative. We need to move from a culture of, “Why are you wearing gloves?” to “Mate, where are your gloves?” For too long, Australians have been making fun of colleagues who prioritise safety. That needs to change — so that reminding someone to wear PPE is seen as looking out for a mate.

By working with PPE experts to provide the right garments for the job and ensuring employees are motivated to wear them, workplaces can move from ticking the box, to providing real protection for their teams.

Image credit: iStock.com/BalkansCat. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.