Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for keeping employees safe from workplace hazards. However, as processes, materials and equipment change in the workplace, so too can the hazards. It's vital for employers to continually re-evaluate PPE needs and update PPE provision accordingly. This article provides tips for employers on reviewing and updating PPE as hazards change in the workplace.
Conduct Regular Workplace Risk Assessments
The foundation for appropriate PPE provision is regular risk assessments. Risk assessments identify hazards that are present and evaluate the level of risk they pose. This allows control measures like PPE to be implemented proportional to the risk. As processes and hazards change, previous risk assessments can become outdated. Conducting fresh workplace risk assessments at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur, is key to identifying new or increased risks that may require new or updated PPE.
Involve Workers in the Risk Assessment Process
Workers are most familiar with day-to-day frontline hazards in their roles. Involving them directly in risk assessments through discussions, workplace walkthroughs and hazard reporting procedures ensures critical on-the-ground intelligence feeds into the risk evaluation. This helps ensure subtle changes that may have PPE implications are identified.
Review Existing PPE Against Updated Risk Assessments
Once updated risk assessments are completed, existing PPE provisions should be cross-checked against them. If the risk assessment identifies new hazards or increased risk levels, review whether existing PPE remains suitable and provides adequate protection. For example, increased noise levels might require upgrading to higher noise reduction rating (NRR) hearing protection.
Evaluate Whether Different or Additional PPE Is Needed
In some cases, entirely new PPE may need to be provided in response to new hazards. For example, introducing a new chemical into a process may require appropriate chemical resistant gloves, aprons and eye protection that weren't previously needed. Risk assessments directly inform when different or additional PPE may be required.
Consult with Workers on PPE Effectiveness and Comfort
PPE needs to provide adequate protection, but also be comfortable and allow normal work activities. Workers themselves are best placed to provide feedback on how existing or potential new PPE performs in practice. Consult with workers to identify any PPE shortcomings or improvements needed as hazards change. Input on comfort, breathability, ease of movement and visibility with different PPE options can help guide optimum choices.
Provide Proper PPE Training
Anytime new PPE is introduced or existing PPE changes, proper training is essential. Employees need to understand why PPE is required, how to inspect, fit, adjust, wear and care for it correctly, and any limitations. Lack of training is a common cause of PPE not delivering the intended protection. Refresh training whenever PPE changes occur and provide supplementary training if improper use is observed.
Monitor Consistent PPE Compliance
Simply providing appropriate PPE does not guarantee its proper use. Employers need to monitor for consistent and correct compliance, reinforcing expectations through supervision, policies and refresher training or coaching where noncompliance occurs. Monitoring and enforcing proper compliance are essential for PPE to mitigate risks effectively.
Updating PPE to align with changing workplace hazards is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of risk management. Employers should implement ongoing hazard review and risk assessment processes that facilitate identifying when PPE changes may be required. Taking a layered approach that involves workers, evaluates PPE options, delivers proper training, monitors compliance and maintains PPE can help ensure employee safety as risks evolve.
