Is it important to get PPE assessments by trained professionals?

PPE is a hot topic for most safety teams as they work to provide the right protection for their workers. The health and safety of workers and the quality and types of equipment they need should be a top priority for every company, and that means knowing when to rely on professional guidance for input (learn more about Keeping Workers Safe and Reducing Employer Liability).

Overprotecting your team sounds like a great idea, right? You can’t ever have too much by way of safety – or can you? If you've got a high-quality but bulky work glove, you might have the right amount of protection but you might not have the dexterity you need to do more precise work tasks. Not being able to complete a task accurately can mean problems down the road or may even lead to the employee not using the gloves at all.

On the other end of the spectrum, under-protecting your employees can lead to injuries just as easily. If you're dealing with a general purpose distributor, they might not know exactly what kind of gloves your employees will need. They might end up wearing Level 1 cut protection gloves when handling glass, something that would require at least Level 3 protection. Not every cut hazard requires the same level of protection, so working with a knowledgeable professional is a real asset when outfitting your workers with safety gloves.

The fact that you need trained professionals to assess your company’s PPE needs becomes clear when you consider the complicated health and safety needs of your employees and the vast equipment options available on the market. It’s important to consider all aspects of the work site and the tasks at hand before selecting gear. Working with people who are trained in PPE regulations and worksite assessments can give your team peace of mind while ensuring optimal safety and compliance with OSHA standards. And at the end of the day, isn’t that exactly what you’re looking for?