National Safety Month Spotlight: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

June is National Safety Month, and this time is used to promote safety awareness and minimize injuries and deaths. PPE or Personal Protective Equipment prevents injuries and illnesses that may be acquired through hazardous environments such as chemical, electrical or mechanical settings. A PPE may include gloves, eyewear, hearing protecting, clothing, etc. 

This National Safety Month, employers can utilize this time reinforce the importance of wearing PPE at a job site. The goal is to instill the mindset of putting safety first before any job or customer. Employers can set time aside to do a refresher course for PPE and provide a "lunch and learn" type event. When on-site, production managers can praise employees when they're wearing PPE correctly as a positive reinforcement. Over time, employees will correctly wear their PPE at all times without needing positive reinforcement.

PPE is only effective when it is fitted properly. It won't inhibit movement, allowing the employee to move freely. When it fits, it's more comfortable for the employee and they'll be more likely to wear it. During this month, employers can set up fitting stations and size employees for gloves, eyewear, apparel, hearing protection, etc. 

Safety training doesn't always have to be done through a PowerPoint presentation. The goal is to get employees involved as much as possible by encouraging participation. If you have veteran workers, ask them to demonstrate proper PPE use and share stories if any. If you plan to administer quizzes, make it interesting by making it a contest among employees.

PPE is essential to SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton's team as it is used to protect our crew from potentially hazardous situations. At times, PPE may only be a pair of latex gloves and at other times, it'll be the whole PPE suit. We take time to train our technicians which PPE is needed for every type situation. We remind our team that our safety always comes first before anything.