Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/948000
WEEKLY EDITION FEB 28, 2018 PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 PPE: What to Do When the Team Says 'Nope'…continued By PSAI Executive Director Karleen Kos Generally, if you say "you will do this", the attitude is often "why should I?" But if you say, "here is a selection, which do you prefer?" it's good worker engagement." Anecdotally it appears that companies can benefit from a drop in accident rates if they introduce a formal process consulting on the best PPE, educating workers on why it was necessary and providing for worker input on its use. PPE must be suitable for the wearer; in particular, it should take into account their health and it should fit correctly. Employers need to be sensitive to worker requirements within a clear understanding of what the risk assessment shows needs to be done. It's also about proper instruction and training. Where someone persists in refusing to wear PPE and the problem cannot be resolved, the employer may choose to re-deploy them to another job or to take disciplinary action if necessary. Assuming you have taken the steps to educate your employees about what PPE they should be wearing, why it is needed, and engaged them in selecting it – that last part being optional but advisable – employers should treat disobeying safety instructions as seriously as any other rule breaking. In essence, the message to employees should be "you can't opt out of health and safety". Employer obligations The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees and ensure its use. Generally, employers must pay for PPE. On May 15, 2008, a new OSHA rule about employer payment for PPE went into effect. With few exceptions, OSHA now requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment used to comply with OSHA standards. The final rule does not create new requirements regarding what PPE employers must provide. The standard makes clear that employers cannot require workers to provide their own PPE and the worker's use of PPE they already own must be completely voluntary. Even when a worker provides his or her own PPE, the employer must ensure that the equipment is adequate to protect the worker from hazards at the workplace. Examples of PPE that employers must pay for if the equipment is required to do the job include: • Metatarsal foot protection • Rubber boots with steel toes • Non-prescription eye protection • Prescription eyewear inserts/lenses for full face respirators • Goggles and face shields • Hard hats • Hearing protection