‘Too hot’ for PPE?

If you’re a fabricator, have you ever foregone wearing necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) or observed a co-worker do so?

I heard a story earlier this week that left me shaking my head and wondering just how often people in dangerous jobs forego wearing the PPE designed to keep them safe from harm and, in many cases, mandated by standards and regulations.

My husband and I have a standing Monday night dinner date at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. We have our favorite table, along with a backup if necessary, and the wait staff knows what we want. No menus required. We’ve also gotten to know the staff on a personal level and often have conversations about what’s going on in their lives. This past Monday’s conversation involved a serious on-the-job injury that could have been prevented with the right PPE.

Our server, Erin has a dog that has some significant health issues (not job-related, and PPE would not have prevented them), and I asked her how he was doing. He’s better, which is great news. But during our conversation, I learned that her boyfriend, who works for a brewing company, was seriously injured when hot, mash tun contents spilled on his legs. He was hospitalized with second-degree burns and must undergo skin grafts.

I asked Erin if he was wearing PPE. She said, “No. The clothing is too hot, and it’s already really hot in the mash tub area.” I don’t remember how I responded, but I do remember thinking how unfortunate and stupid his negligence was. (And I also wondered about his employer’s role and possible liability in this situation.)

I get it. At FABTECH, I’ve suited up to weld and to try plasma cutting. Of course, the PPE available was not exactly sized for me, and it was as cumbersome as it could be. The GMAW took place in a parking lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I was wearing a suit and donned all of the required PPE over it. It was awkward and hot. I was downright uncomfortable. But there was no way on earth that I was going to strike an arc without following all safety precautions. Quite honestly, I can’t see any good reason why someone who has a dangerous job would fail to do so. And I can’t see a responsible employer allowing workers to refrain from wearing the proper PPE while working in dangerous environments. It’s just not worth the potential consequences.

OSHA guidelines for enforcing PPE use stipulate that employers should “implement all feasible engineering, work practice, and administrative controls to reduce or eliminate hazards before using PPE. When such controls are not feasible or effective, provide appropriate PPE that properly fits the workers, communicate PPE selection decisions, and require workers to use and maintain it in sanitary and reliable condition.”

OSHA also acknowledges that “getting employees to actually wear PPE is often a problem” and suggests ways to encourage use.

Ultimately, it comes down to the individual’s choice. Make the right choice and go home whole at the end of your workday.