General PPE – By the Numbers

PPE – GENERAL

DID YOU KNOW?

The hand is the second most common body part to be injured at work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 143,000 hand-related workplace injuries in 2015, these types of injuries were second only to back injuries (191,450).

BLS also reported in 2015 143,000 hand injuries, when workers lost a median of five work days.

Every year, roughly 30 percent of all workplace injuries are from cuts and lacerations and 12 percent of those were strictly to the hands. 

The bottom line is that 25% of all work place accidents involve hand and fingers

As of the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the average total incurred cost per claim in the United States for hand, finger and wrist injuries was $22,384 according to the National Safety Council. This includes missed days, hospital visits and shut down time for investigations by OSHA or your local workplace safety bureau.

Along with these factors and increased insurance premiums, workers’ compensation and employees on disability leave, U.S. employers in 2013 paid nearly $62 billion.

Revealing Statistics 

  • 98% of employees said they have seen other employees not wearing PPE when they should have been wearing P.P.E. 30% of this group say this happens repeatedly. 
  • Three out of five workers surveyed (B.L.S) reveled that they were not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident.
  • 9% of all injuries are head injuries.
  • 50% of construction workers will suffer a serious eye injury in their career. 
  • 16% of workers who sustain head injuries were not wearing head protection.
  • 90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of eyewear.
  • 60% of hand injuries can be prevented with the use of safety gloves.
  • 99% of workers are regularly exposed to noise above the recommended limit.
  • 30% of foot injuries could be prevented with safety footwear.

Takeaways: 

  • OSHA reports that each year, approximately 700,000 work days are lost to due to injuries caused by failure of personal protective equipment. 
  • More than 500,000 U.S workers will suffer disabling injuries to the head, hands eyes, or feet on an average yearly basis.

 KEEP IN MIND

There are different types of PPE available depending on the type of job or the type of hazards. PPE offers protection against injury or illness resulting from contact with physical, chemical, radiological. Mechanical, and electrical hazards. The use of PPE is the last line of protection and indicates that the hazards cannot be controlled through engineering, design, or administrative controls.

Common Personal Protection Equipment 

  • eye and face protection
  • foot and leg protection
  • head protection
  • hearing protection
  • arm and hand protection
  • protective clothing 

OSHA does not mandate specific PPE for specific circumstances OSHA does require that:

  • employees identify hazards that require PPW
  • select the appropriate safety equipment; and 
  • train workers on their proper use. 

Causes of PPE Failures

  • Inadequate assessment by the employer – Failure of the employer to properly assess hazards can lead to workplace injuries, ranging from head trauma to chemical exposures.
  • Poorly fitted PPE – in order for PPE to work properly, it should fit properly, It is particularly important when working with hazards such as heat, respiratory irritants, and chemicals.  
  • Improper PPE usage – Eye protection can be aggravating and gloves can limit dexterity. Workers often find respiratory protective equipment uncomfortable and fell that it interferes with vision and communication. However, it is important to understand that the proper usage of PPE is essential for worker safety and well-being. 
  • Insufficient worker training – employers often fail to provide detailed training to workers on the proper use of PPE. The training should include:
  1. How to inspect PPE
  2. When to use PPE
  3. How to wear and adjust PPE
  4. Limitations of PPE
  5. How to remove, maintain, and store PPE safely
  6. Identifying and replacing damaged and worn PPE

PPE training is encapsulated in the Tool Box Talks.

Young workers, ages 16 to 24, are twice as likely to be hurt on the job because they are less experienced, less trained and more likely to take risks. However, by incorporating regular training, workplaces can see a 42 percent reduction in injury claims.

Regular training can be as simple as a daily toolbox talk, where a foreman, supervisor or environmental health and safety leader talks to the group before work starts. During these toolbox talks, look to address any violations that you saw the day before – without pinpointing the violator, best practices for people working on particular jobs or machinery and promoting everyone to work safely 

By including these informal, 15-minute talks at the beginning of a shift, safety is front and center with the workers with no extra costs to business.