Safety gear has become an absolute necessity in the modern work environment. Whether your organisation operates in the manufacturing industry or in the scientific sector, safety equipment is a must for your employees. In some locations, it’s mandatory for employers to provide their employees with the right PPE to ensure their safety. Not only do companies need to supply PPE, but it’s equally important to train their employees in the correct use and maintenance of this safety equipment. Additionally, it is the employer’s duty to ensure that their employees use the PPE properly.
These are general standards that every company in any industry exposed to hazardous activities must comply with. Suppose you place an order for PPE for your employees. The shipment arrives and you distribute the safety equipment to all employees across the firm. A few weeks later, you realize that your employees haven’t been using the gear correctly, so they are not properly protected.
So, how do you train your employees to avoid this? And how should you take care of your business’ safety gear to keep it in tip-top condition? Let’s find out!
Be Proactive
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught businesses the importance of being proactive, particularly when it comes to when comes to planning ahead. With a proper PPE management plan in place, you will get the peace of mind that your employees are safe. Last year, many hospitals and health centers ran out of safety gear for employees due to the growing number of COVID patients.
Many businesses were not prepared for such a crisis, but the companies that had the right equipment for this situation dealt with the crisis seamlessly.
Conduct a PPE Hazard Assessment
Hazard assessments help ensure the safety of your employees. You should review the hazards associated with the machines, tools that your business uses, as well as your employees’ exposure to the harmful substances.
Assess all the objects your employees come in contact with on a regular basis. Plus, watch your employees perform the daily tasks to get a better understanding of what works best for them. Ask your employees to get a better idea of what they need to make their job safer.
Invest in Education and Training
Any PPE program is incomplete without proper training. Your employees need to understand the correct way to wear personal protective equipment, adjust them for the best protection, and care for them to keep them in good condition.
Asking your employees to wear respirators and masks just because the government has made it mandatory is not a good idea and won’t get them on board. Instead, educate your employees on the hazards of working closely with the equipment and heavy machinery and list the reasons why they must consider wearing PPE for the highest levels of protection.
Shop for Safety, Convenience, and Features
Cost shouldn’t be a concern when it comes to personal protective equipment. Your job is to supply the highest-quality safety gear that will offer the best protection to your employees. Once you have made a safety plan, get quotes from different PPE suppliers and shop around for the best products.
If that’s not possible, consider buying all your safety equipment from a single vendor. It may be cheaper to buy gloves from one supplier and masks and respirators from another, but it could become super difficult to manage these tools in the long run.
Perform Regular Inspection
No company would want to expose its employees to danger because of a lack of proper maintenance of their safety gear. Knowing that the PPE is working effectively will give you peace of mind. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that all parts of the personal protective equipment are in good condition.
A proper and timely inspection is the only way to identify malfunctioning safety gear, giving you ample time to correct the issue. Never allow your workers to wear or use any safety gear that hasn’t been inspected for years. PPE must be inspected for wearability, comfort, and safety. Not only should all parts be working well, but the equipment should be easy and comfortable to wear.
Repair and Replacement
Any damaged parts or equipment must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Wearing malfunctioning safety gear can be more dangerous than wearing nothing at all in some cases. Whether it is safety goggles or ear protection, check each piece of equipment before and after use to guarantee maximum protection for your employees. For more information about repair and replacement requirements, check professional suppliers like PHS Besafe have to say.
Proper maintenance of safety gear also includes regular cleaning, especially before and after use. Store equipment in a safe and cool environment – never expose them to sunlight or harmful contaminants. Additionally, the wearable gear must fit your employees properly, so be sure to double check sizing before placing any order.