More than 90% of employers said they often or sometimes have issues getting employees to wear PPE, according to a study from the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights.
The PPE Pain Points Study, conducted by the research division of the safety supplies manufacturer, was distributed to over 12,000 contacts in a variety of industries. Eighty-nine percent of the respondents were responsible for purchasing PPE and work for companies with less than 500 employees.
Other key findings include:
- 34% said they had trouble buying PPE in the sizes they need
- 35% struggle to purchase PPE that fits their female employees
- 71% said they often or sometimes experienced supply chain delays in the past year
PPE needs to be comfortable, must fit properly
Underlying factors that contributed to PPE noncompliance, according to the survey participants, were lack of adequate sizing, heat stress and supply chain disruptions.
Employees resist wearing PPE because it’s hot, it makes it harder to do their job, or they just don’t want to, the safety managers surveyed said in answering what kinds of excuses they hear from workers.
One common theme from survey participants was that finding comfortable PPE for their employees was a challenge. Those participants indicated that PPE needs to be comfortable enough for employees to wear all day.
“When PPE doesn’t fit properly, or they’re unable to get the PPE they need due to supply chain issues, that only compounds the challenges safety managers face,” said Christy Panagakis, J. J. Keller senior customer and market insights analyst.