In any workplace, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees should be a priority. One effective and important way to achieve safety in the workplace is to use personal protective equipment (PPE). While not necessary for all occupations, PPE is particularly important in industries in which employees are exposed to chemicals, hazards, or dangerous materials.
PPE not only promotes the physical safety of employees, but it has a myriad of other collateral benefits as well. Here, we will delve into the importance of using PPE in the workplace and the benefits of it.
What Is PPE?
Personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, is used to describe the various pieces of equipment that employees may use in the workplace to protect themselves and avoid injury and illness. Types of PPE include but are not limited to:
- Safety goggles
- Shoes
- Earmuffs or earplugs
- Hard hats
- Face shields
- Bodysuits
- Vests
- Respirators
- Face masks
- Gloves
Some industries that most commonly use PPE include healthcare, construction mining, chemical, oil, energy, automotive, and more.
Legal Requirements
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several laws and regulations to protect employees at work. Section 1910.132 states that all employers must ensure the usage and maintenance of PPE by their employees if the hazards presented by the job make it a necessity. Except in a few extraneous circumstances, the PPE must be purchased by the employer. This ensures that no employee has any excuse not to be using the proper PPE.
Decreased Risk of Injury and Disease
The most important and obvious benefit of using PPE in the workplace is that it can help to protect and promote the safety of employees. By using the appropriate PPE in the workplace, you are directly decreasing the chance of suffering an injury or disease that may have life-long and even fatal effects. While PPE does not make the chance of being injured or contracting a disease obsolete, it helps to reduce the severity of its effects.
Increased Efficiency, Productivity, and Satisfaction
The benefits of wearing PPE in the workplace are ten-fold, as doing so can also bring about a number of other benefits related to workplace efficiency and productivity. By promoting and enforcing the use of PPE in the workplace, employers are signaling to their employees that they value their well-being and safety. This, in turn, will result in higher employee morale and satisfaction. Not only will the use of PPE result in employee satisfaction, but it will also increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace, as employees will be equipped with the proper tools to perform their jobs safely. An added benefit for employers is that PPE will likely reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.
What To Do if You Are Injured in the Workplace
If you are injured in the workplace, it is important to first seek attention from a medical professional to assess your condition. Then, you will want to consult with a work injury lawyer in Los Angeles to discuss what your legal options are, particularly if your employer failed to provide you with PPE. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover damages and compensation for your injuries, as well as secure workers’ compensation benefits.