PPE & WORKWEAR “ALL PEOPLE


ARE DIFFERENT; COMFORT IS


PERSONAL TO THE USER.”


that PPE was always worn in their workplace, with 70% believing that workers occasionally omitted to wear it.


When asked why they thought this was, 39% of those surveyed cited lack of comfort. This answer was second only to ‘workers could not be bothered’, which 47% of respondents chose. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shares a similar opinion, stating on its website that: “When employees find PPE comfortable they are far more likely to wear it.”


This problem can affect compliance rates for all types of PPE, from safety eyewear, which workers may choose to wear on their heads if they find it too tight, to coveralls, which they may choose to unzip if the material makes them feel too hot.


PPE may be designed to comfortably fit a variety of people. For example, 3M has developed its SecureFit brand Protective Eyewear Range using innovative Pressure Diffusion Temple Technology, which ensures that the temple arms apply a similar pressure across different sized heads.


“WORKERS WHO FIND THEIR PPE


UNCOMFORTABLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO WEAR IT INCORRECTLY OR REMOVE IT ALTOGETHER.”


COMFORT AND


COMPLIANCE


3M technical specialist Simon Field explains how comfort can play an essential role in ensuring workers


comply with PPE requirements.


When selecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the level of protection it offers is a top priority, but it is not the only thing to consider. Comfort should also be taken into account, as it is one of the main factors affecting rates of compliance with PPE requirements.


Workers who find their PPE uncomfortable may be more likely to wear it incorrectly or remove it altogether, particularly if they are required to use it for long periods. This can reduce or even eliminate the protection provided, leaving the wearer exposed to potential hazards.


A 2009 report by 3M, titled PPE Matters, highlighted this issue by surveying 127 health and safety managers from various industries. Only 30% of respondents thought


22


However, because all people are different and comfort is so personal to the user, it is important to involve workers in the PPE selection process – something 3M promotes through its Workers’ Choice campaign. Once health and safety managers have narrowed down their PPE options to those that can provide adequate protection, they should consider offering workers a range of choices.


As well as helping workers to find comfortable options, when individuals are involved in the selection process they become more invested in the decision and are therefore more likely to comply.


To help with this process, 3M offers extensive free product trials, providing a great way for staff to try a solution and see if it works for them. The company also provides questionnaires to help health and safety managers get the most valuable feedback.


To assess which options workers find suitable, health and safety managers may also use methods such as staff surveys, focus groups and roundtable discussions. By helping to identify comfortable PPE options that can improve compliance rates, involving workers in the selection process can save businesses time and money in the long run.


Another key part of improving compliance rates is properly training staff, not only how to wear their equipment properly, but also why it is important to do so.


If people are better informed about the hazards they face, they are more likely to want to protect themselves.


When considering reusable PPE, training should also cover maintenance and storage. This can also save businesses money in the long run, by reducing the need for premature replacements.


www.3M.co.uk/safety www.tomorrowshs.com


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