PPE in the workplace : Understanding the risks and importance

Risks of not wearing PPE in the workplace

Risks associated with not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at work can affect both individuals and employers. The risks includes :

1. Physical injuries

• The likelihood of physical harm can increase in the absence of suitable PPE. For instance, without head protection, employees are more likely to get head injuries from collisions or falling items. Particles, debris, or chemicals may hurt your eyes if you don’t wear eye protection. Without foot protection, workers face the danger of getting hurt by stepping on sharp objects, and without hand protection, they run the risk of getting wounds, burns, or chemical exposure.

2. Exposure to harmful chemicals

• Individuals could come into contact with toxic chemicals  directly if they don’t have the correct PPE. In addition to having an immediate and long-term negative impact on one’s health, this can result in skin irritations, burns, allergic responses, or chemical absorption which may sometimes be fatal depending on the toxicity of the substance.

3. Vision Loss

• Lack of proper eye protection (e.g., goggles, glasses, face shields) can result in eye injuries such as abrasions, burns, and permanent damage in hazardous industries where possible risks include debris, chemicals, harsh light, or airborne particles. Foreign objects can cause direct injury to the eyes, and inhaling particles can cause irritation, inflammation, and vision loss.
  

4. Hearing Loss

• Lack of suitable hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, can cause irreversible hearing loss in environments with high noise levels, such as factories, airports, and construction sites. Long-term exposure to loud noises can harm the inner ear’s sensitive structures, resulting in permanent hearing loss.

Importance of wearing PPE

1. Safeguards against occupational dangers

• PPE protects workers from potential job hazards such as large physical objects, harmful chemicals, biological substances, or environmental factors. It reduces the risk of accidents, diseases, or exposure to dangerous substances.

2. To avoid injuries

• PPE is meant to lower the risk of workplace accidents. It consists of items like helmets, safety glasses, gloves, and safety shoes that can guard against a wide range of injuries, including those to the head, eyes, hands, and feet. Workers can greatly reduce the chance and severity of workplace injuries by donning the proper PPE.

3. Adherence to regulations

• When particular hazards are present, companies must supply PPE to their employees accordingly. By complying with the regulations and wearing PPE, employees and employers can avoid penalties and fines from the authorities.

3. Health maintenance

• PPE plays a critical function in safeguarding the health of workers. For instance, respiratory gear such as masks or respirators are useful in preventing the inhalation of hazardous particles, dust, or chemical fumes, therefore lowering the risk of breathing-related illnesses and long-term health concerns. Similar to how wearing gloves or other protective clothes can reduce your exposure to toxins that can burn you, irritate your skin, or absorb chemicals into your body.

Why Tapway Solution ? 

PPE is crucial in the workplace, whether it is in the healthcare field, the food and beverage industry, or even logistics. It offers benefits and safety to both the workers and companies. However, having someone check each and every employees’ PPE takes time and is prone to human error. At Tapway, we aim to make the identification and checking process faster and error-free. With our VisionTrack solution, you can now automate the PPE checking process which improves the efficiency and safety of the workplace. 

Click here to learn more about our services or send an email to sales@gotapway.com. We look forward to collaborate with you.