EPA & Techinal Tips | Safety First by Kimberly-Clark

 

EPA & TECHNICAL TIPS: Safety First by Kimberly-Clark

MAKE SURE TO BALANCE PROTECTION WITH COMFORT, FIT & STYLE WHEN SELECTING PROTECTIVE APPAREL

The purpose of protective apparel is to protect the wearer from hazards in the work environment. To achieve maximum protection, those involved in the apparel selection process must consider both form and function. Many times, the issue of garment comfort, fit, style and overall "wearability" is not given adequate consideration. This can lead to compliance issues, which may then result in unsafe operating procedures.

For three years in a row, a survey of safety professionals found that noncompliance with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols continues to be an issue in the workplace. In a survey undertaken by Kimberly-Clark Professional at the 2008 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress, 89 percent of safety professionals said they had observed workers failing to wear PPE when they should have been. In 2007, 87 percent answered yes to this question while 85 percent gave this response in 2006.

One factor that can lead to noncompliance is uncomfortable PPE. In the 2007 NSC survey, discomfort was found to be the chief cause of noncompliance with PPE protocols. Next was: Workers thinking PPE was not necessary for the task. This was followed by:

• Too hot   • Poor fit   • Unattractive-looking

These issues can all be addressed by selecting high-quality PPE that performs properly, fits well and is also comfortable and stylish. While selection of task-appropriate protective garments may appear daunting – especially without an established U.S. standard for protective apparel – it does not have to be insurmountable. The key is to balance apparel function (protection factors) and apparel form (style, comfort, and wearability factors) within the scope of a realistic hazard assessment and risk analysis.

KLEENGUARD* Automotive Painting Coveralls are ideal for painting, sanding, and spraying the vehicle and are treated with an isocyanate treatment to control lint and static. This is important because painters need a sterile environment so as to not get lint or debris in the paint job. KLEENGUARD* All-Purpose Coveralls are ideal for automotive repair and general maintenance tasks such as changing oil and refilling fluids. Kimberly-Clark Professional’s patented MICROFORCETM Fabric offers barrier protection against dry particulates and light liquid sprays. For more information on selecting the right protective garment for a specific task, visit the educational center at www.kc-safety.com/kn.

Make Sure to Balance Protection with Comfort, Fit & Style When Selecting Protective Apparel. Occupational Health & Safety-Online Feature, July 23, 2009.

Article written by Dave Matela,
Senior Category Manager- Kimberly-Clark Professional.
For more information on protective apparel and other types of PPE,
visit www.kc-safety.com