Personal Protective Equipment: When Does it Play a Role?

When you are working in a line of work that commonly creates serious injuries, your employer may provide personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE in the workplace includes face protection from flying particles and chemicals, gloves to prevent cuts and burns, hard hats to protect against falling objects, safety shoes for work areas that contain heavy objects, and ear plugs to protect against hearing damage. Employers must always inform employees of how to use their safety equipment through proper training. Many workplaces, such as those that deal in construction, are legally required to possess PPE for employees.

Right to a Safe Workplace 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you have a right to a safe workplace. This means that your employer must provide this workplace to you under the law. One of the ways in which an employer can protect their employees is by providing them with PPE equipment to minimize exposures to hazards that can cause you injuries and illnesses.

OSHA says that, to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment, it should be safely designed and constructed, be properly maintained, and be kept reliable. It should also fit comfortably to encourage safe use by workers. Employers must remember to implement into their equipment plan how to use PPE, teach them when it is necessary to wear, what kind is necessary, how to properly adjust it and wear it, know the limitations of the equipment, and properly maintain and dispose of the equipment.

Were you injured in the workplace because your employer never provided PPE to you or taught you how to properly use equipment in the workplace? You may have a case. Call us today for more information on where to turn and how to receive compensation for your injuries.