"According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many workers who sustain on-the-job injuries admit to not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)," said a Cintas spokesperson. "Often, workers believe PPE is uncomfortable, unnecessary or unavailable, and these attitudes can result in more serious injuries." For the national launch of its Cintas Safety Center - a PPE cabinet coupled with a managed program - Cintas Corporation, a provider of on-site first aid and safety products and training solutions, offers seven strategies for improving PPE performance.
"PPE protects workers from a variety of job hazards and keeps organizations in compliance with safety regulations," said Jay Bruscato, Vice President of First Aid and Safety, Cintas. "However, being overprotected is just as hazardous as being under-protected. Organizations should partner with a safety provider that can provide samples, help with PPE selection and ensure PPE best practices are followed." Following are Cintas' recommendations for improving PPE performance.
1. Keep PPE in a central location. Organizations should invest in a PPE cabinet that keeps an adequate supply of high-quality head-to-toe solutions well organized and centrally located within the workplace. The cabinet should be part of a managed program with a safety provider so that organizations can easily adjust the type and amount of PPE delivered as employee count, job responsibilities and hazards change. A PPE program also ensures that protective equipment is available and well-maintained to encourage proper use.
2. Ensure earplugs fit correctly and comfortably. Employees are less likely to wear hearing protection if it is uncomfortable. Organizations should have earplugs available in various sizes and allow workers to get fitted to ensure that they fit properly and comfortably.
3. Offer anti-fog eye protection. In high-humidity environments or when dealing with sudden environmental changes, eye protection can fog up, reducing visibility at crucial moments. Organizations should make sure anti-fog eye protection is part of their PPE inventory to reduce employees' frustration and increase their use of protection in hazardous situations.
4. Match gloves to hazards and seasons. Organizations need to have hand protection that is well matched with the tasks employees will be performing, the conditions of the work and the duration of use. Employees also need to use different gloves in the winter than in the summer. Safety managers should consider gloves made from leather, canvas and coated fabric, as well as options that are rubber-insulated and chemical and liquid-resistant.
5. Check protective apparel for imperfections. Protective apparel is designed to keep workers safe from electrical arc flashes that result in serious burns. Organizations should work with a safety provider that will regularly check the condition of protective apparel as it is restocked so that torn fabric on vests, tops and pants can be spotted before they are worn.
6. Provide hard hats in a variety of types and classes. Different hard hats offer varying levels of protection. Organizations need to select from types that provide protection from blows to the top of the head (Type I) or the top and sides (Type II). Class G helmets can withstand 2,200 volts, Class E can withstand 20,000 volts and are designed for electrical work, and Class C does not provide electrical insulation. Workers should know when to use each type and class.
7. Offer safety training to supplement PPE use. Protective apparel and ear, eye, head and hand protection are only effective when the wearer is knowledgeable and responsible about the equipment. Employees should complete training courses that highlight job hazards, the importance of PPE and how to best wear it. Wearing too much PPE can cause heat stress, while not enough can lead to cold stress in certain conditions or exposure to hazards such as arc flash and hearing loss.
Cintas offers a variety of proactive and reactive safety solutions, from proactive PPE in the Cintas Safety Center to reactive AED and first-aid programs.
For more information contact:
CINTAS Corporation
P.O. Box 625737
Cincinatti, OH 45262
800-786-4367
www.cintas.com/safe