Every year, tons of defective, damaged, and used PPE get tossed - as it should! OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment standard says you must not use ANY defective or damaged PPE. Yet, workers still get hurt from using inadequate protection.
Your workers should always follow your company’s policy for cleaning, decontaminating, and maintaining PPE. Provide employees this downloadable PPE inspection checklist to help workers ensure their PPE is in good working order to keep them safe on the job.
Check It Out
Before using any PPE, your workers should regularly hold it up to the light and check for damages. Below you’ll find a list of what to look for with various types of PPE.
Hi-Vis Apparel
After about six months of regular use, any hi-vis apparel should be inspected for wear and tear, especially as it may no longer meet ANSI visibility standards.
Look for:
color fading
damage or wear on the reflective strips
excessive dirt that won’t come off
rips and tears
Gloves
Using safety gloves that are past their prime can lead to cuts or loss of grip, which can cause injuries.
Look for:
worn spots
fabric snags
holes or tears
coating that is peeling
significant soiling
Safety Glasses & Goggles
It’s critical to protect your employees’ eyes from flying debris, dust and chemical splashes. Safety glasses and goggles that are damaged compromise your employees’ eyesight.
Look for:
color fading
damage or wear on the reflective strips
excessive dirt that won’t come off
rips and tears
Earplugs
Any sound over 85 db can cause hearing damage over time, so it’s very important that your employees’ earplugs are in good condition and working properly.
Look for:
dirt
deformation
extreme hardless
Also, be sure employees are tossing disposable earplugs after every use.
Hard Hats
Hard hats are essential in protecting your employees from falling objects and contact with electrical hazards.
Look for:
cracks and dents
fading and discoloration
torn or damaged webbing
rips and tears
Replace a hard hat if it has had an impact or if it’s past its expiration date. (Manufacturers generally print the expiration date in the shell of the hat, near the edge.)
Using damaged PPE puts your workers at risk for serious injury. Regular checks can help make sure it’s in tip-top shape and doing its job, so your workers can do their jobs safely.
MAKE SURE YOUR EMPLOYEES HAVE THE PPE THEY NEED
J. J. Keller™ SAFEGEAR™ PPE delivers quality, comfort and affordability in a range of sizes and styles to fit your workers’ needs.