The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the “injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly each year since 2003.” One factor contributing to the higher rate of workplace safety is an increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The increased use of all forms of PPE is the result of compliance with both industry-specific regulations and those outlined by OSHA.
Employers have largely recognized the benefits of protecting their employees who are their most valuable assets. More employees, too, have come to accept the use of PPE as necessary and important to their personal safety and job performance.
Many industries have found that disposable or limited-use PPE can be more efficient and functional than reusable equipment, and that the effectiveness and quality of disposable PPE has improved greatly in recent years.
Some disposable products, including latex and vinyl gloves, hearing and respiratory equipment, are now the industry standard because of their ease of use and hygienic benefits.
Depending on the industry, there are many benefits to disposable PPE options and in some cases, preferable over their reusable counterparts.
- Disposable PPE is ideal for industries and jobs where employees are exposed to heavy dirt and grime, such as the construction, manufacturing, sanitation, janitorial and environmental industries.
- Disposable options especially for respiratory protection, gloves and clothing are a logical solution in industries with controlled environments, such as healthcare, food processing and manufacturing, hazardous materials management and infection control.
- Other industries find that disposable PPE options make sense especially in instances where employees wear the equipment for a limited or short-term use. Protective eyewear, hearing and respiratory equipment fall into this category. The medical, food service and automotive fields often rely on disposable PPE for these uses.
Choose the best PPE
Take in count the following when choosing your PPE.
- Disposable PPE is not designed to be as long lasting or as resilient as reusable PPE. This is especially true of clothing and respiratory products.
- It is always important to consider the environment and conditions of the workplace and the specific job the equipment will be used for to ensure that it is in line with the intended purpose and capabilities of the equipment.
- PPE products should never be used for a purpose beyond their declared and intended use and should always be used in accordance with OSHA and industry-specific regulations.
- Employers should work directly with their suppliers to determine the best PPE options for their particular project, site, or industry needs.
We are working hard to create a safe environment for everyone.
As different governments strengthen their local restrictions, at We Shield, we work hard to create a safe and clean environment for our front line workers and individuals at most risk of contracting COVID-1. We source and distribute top-quality personal protective equipment and safety supplies at the best pricing on the market.