Five Reasons Why Personal Protective Equipment At Work Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Everyone goes to work and expects to be faced with an environment that lets them complete their job and come home safely. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Each year there are thousands of workplace accidents, some of which result in horrendous injuries or fatalities.

Sadly, some of these accidents could have been avoided had personal protective equipment been worn.

What Are The Five Reasons Why Personal Protective Equipment Shouldn’t Be Ignored?

1. It protects your health

Personal protective equipment is designed to protect you from serious injuries or illnesses. By not wearing it, you are putting yourself at risk of being injured or becoming ill. Workplace injuries can be catastrophic, from amputation caused by workplace machinery to employees losing their life after falling from a height.

2. It’s the law

In many countries, it is a legal requirement for employers to provide personal protective equipment to their employees and to ensure that it is used correctly. Failing to do so could result in heavy fines or even prosecution.

3. It reduces the severity of injuries

Even if you do get injured while wearing personal protective equipment, the severity of the injury is likely to be reduced. This means that you will be off work for a shorter period of time and will incur fewer medical expenses.

4. It protects your clothing

If you are working with hazardous materials, wearing personal protective equipment will help to protect your clothing from damage.

5. It gives you peace of mind

Knowing that you are protected from potential injuries or illnesses can help to provide you with peace of mind while you are at work. This can make it easier for you to concentrate on your job and do it to the best of your ability.

Wearing personal protective equipment may not be the most comfortable thing to do, but it is essential for keeping yourself safe at work. Ignoring it could result in severe injury or even death. If you have any doubts about whether or not you should be wearing personal protective equipment, speak to your employer or safety representative.

Why Do People Not Use Personal Protective Equipment?

It’s not always straightforward as to why people daily to use protective equipment, but there are three key reasons why this tends to happen:

Lack of Training

In some cases, the lack of training is to blame for employees not using personal protective equipment. Employees may have never been shown how to use the equipment correctly or may not be aware of its importance. It’s also possible that they were provided with training but have since forgotten what they learned.

Lack of Access

Another reason why employees might not use personal protective equipment is that they don’t have access to it. This could be because their employer doesn’t provide it or because it needs to be more readily available. In some cases, employees may be able to access the equipment, but it’s not the right size, or it’s in poor condition.

Failure to Follow Procedures

In some cases, the employee is responsible for failing to follow procedures. They may have been provided with training and have access to the protective equipment but still made a conscious decision not to utilize it, or they simply forgot to use it.

Some employees may feel that protective equipment is too much of a hassle to put on and take off, or they may believe that it’s not necessary for the task they’re carrying out. In other cases, employees might be unaware of the dangers posed by not wearing personal protective equipment.

Wearing personal protective equipment is essential for keeping yourself safe at work. If you have any doubts about whether or not you should be wearing it, speak to your employer or safety representative.

3 Key Points to Consider When Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

When wearing personal protective equipment, there are three key points to consider:

1. Make sure you’re using the correct equipment for the task you’re carrying out.
2. Make sure that the equipment fits properly and is comfortable to wear.
3. Make sure that you know how to use the equipment correctly.

If you need clarification on any of these points, speak to your employer or safety representative.

What is The Employers’ Responsibility?

Employers are responsible for providing employees with a safe and healthy working environment. This includes ensuring that the correct personal protective equipment is available and that employees are appropriately trained in its use. In the UK, this is a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work  Act 1974.

If you have any concerns about the personal protective equipment provided by your employer, you should raise this with them. If you are still not happy, you can contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for advice.

What If I Do Have An Accident at Work?

If you are injured at work, you should report the accident to your employer immediately. An accident form should be completed, and you should be given a copy. We recommend getting checked over by a Doctor even if you don’t immediately feel that you’ve been hurt; some injuries, such as concussion, can take a while to show symptoms.

Workplace accidents can significantly impact your life, both physically and emotionally. If you have been injured at work, you may be able to claim compensation to help cover the cost of medical treatment, loss of earnings, and other expenses. To find out more, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer.

There are time limits for starting the claim process, so it’s essential to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the accident. Many claims specialists offer a non-contingent or “no win, no fee” service, which means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront. The fees are then deducted from the compensation that you’re awarded. This provides you with a safe way to start the claim without the additional stress of worrying about a large legal bill.

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No one should have to suffer an injury or illness because they were not provided with the correct personal protective equipment at work. If you have been affected by this, you can take action and claim compensation. Not only will it ensure that you’re not left with significant expenses for something that wasn’t your fault, but it will also encourage employers to take their responsibilities more seriously.