Business owners bear the responsibility of keeping their workers safe. Personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes of great help in achieving this goal, but only when the appropriate gear is selected for the task being completed. To determine which PPE to purchase, a company should conduct a hazard assessment. What steps are involved in this process?
Assessment Preparation
Begin the assessment process by reviewing injury records for the company along with documents related to near-misses. This information helps the company determine which areas to focus on. Look over materials regarding how to choose the appropriate personal protective equipment, including OSHA PPE rules. However, more research is needed. Industry-specific PPE standards need to be reviewed at this time along with recommendations from the manufacturers of this equipment and safety data sheets for frequently used chemicals.
Carry Out the Assessment
Watch workers in action to identify potential hazards. Pay attention to those areas identified in the previous step along with safety data sheet details. Spend time in the work area to gather first-hand knowledge of the danger’s workers face, and speak with employees to gather feedback. They understand which areas are of most concern and can point out things a person might miss as they complete the assessment.
Eliminating the hazard might require adjustments to the workspace. This may involve adapting equipment or adjusting the task. Less toxic chemicals often serve as an option. Use safety data sheets, manufacturers’ guidelines, and engineers within the company to find potential modifications that may reduce or eliminate the hazard. Work with an outside consultant if needed to find these solutions.
If the workplace cannot be modified, PPE serves as the answer in many situations. Speak with the workers before selecting PPE. They know what is comfortable and what equipment won’t slow them down as they go about their tasks. Employees are more willing to use the PPE if they have a hand in selecting it. Create a checklist to use when purchasing the equipment, taking all of the information gathered during the assessment into consideration when creating this document.
Implementation
PPE selection needs to be a partnership between the purchasing committee and employees. Give employees choices so they can find the best fit for them. It needs to be comfortable if they are to make use of it. When selecting this PPE, however, ensure it won’t slow employees down as they do their work. For instance, bulky gloves can interfere with a worker’s ability to handle small parts. The worker won’t want to wear them if this is the case. Find a solution that works for all parties.
Ongoing Assessments and Reviews
Safety assessments need to be ongoing. Complete an assessment any time a task or work process changes for any reason. Do the same if injuries increase. Monitor changes within the industry and complete assessments to remain in compliance with any alterations to safety guidelines. Doing so keeps employees safe, which saves the company money. Furthermore, take part in annual PPE training and update this training if changes have been made to PPE guidelines regarding usage.
Personal protective equipment rules require enforcement. Never let an infraction slide, as doing so could lead to injuries or death. The use of PPE must be culturally ingrained in employees. Consistent enforcement ensures this is the case.
