The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as Thorogood work boots for instance, necessary in some professional activities, is not a new topic, but it remains involved in a series of doubts and questions. Even before being a legal obligation for companies and employees, it is a worker’s right not to expose themselves to risks at work without proper protection for their health and physical integrity.
Some aspects of its use are essential for the effectiveness of protection to be ensured. Otherwise, it will only comply with the law, which, in case of any accidents, will not bring any support to the employer, much less security for the worker.
This article will show 3 fundamental aspects related to PPE, which are usually forgotten or neglected in daily work. Follow up!
- Safety Boots Must Be Used Whenever Necessary
PPE must be used to protect the worker after exhausting the feasibility of all other protection measures, which are, as a rule, administrative and procedural measures, collective protection measures, and productive reorganization. If these measures are not sufficient to ensure the safety and health of the worker during the execution of their activities, PPE must be used.
- The Use Of Safety Boots Eliminates Or Neutralizes Unhealthiness In Various Activities
Many workers perform unhealthy operations or activities and, therefore, receive an additional unhealthy wage. But this additional is not a real advantage, as the worker is compromising, in part, his health.
In many activities, the use of PPE eliminates or neutralizes unhealthy conditions, such as hearing protectors in some noisy environments. In cases like this, the additional payment will no longer be due as long as the worker makes proper and correct use of the PPE, which must be certified and in a suitable state of repair.
- The Use Of PPE Is A Regulated Obligation
It is the company’s obligation to provide PPE to its employees and provide training on its use and conservation. In turn, the employee must use PPE and follow safety rules, and refusal may cause dismissal. Employees may claim discomfort with a specific model and brand of PPE, so the company must offer other models and similar brands to ensure options that provide the employee’s comfort, which is a good principle of ergonomics at work.
An employee cannot refuse to use the equipment without a justification. The worker who does this can be verbally warned and suffer other punishments, which must be educational and happen gradually.
Penalties can only be applied if the employer has documentation that proves that the employee has received PPE and participated in its use training. However, talk calmly with the employee before making a more drastic decision.
