Although PPE might conjure up images of face masks and hand sanitisers, the truth is that PPE is commonplace in many kinds of businesses.
If you’re thinking of a business start-up and becoming one of the 5.6 million private companies in the UK, then you might be wondering what PPE is and whether you need it. If so, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve answered all your questions below.
What is PPE?
Firstly, what is PPE? PPE stands for personal protective equipment. The purpose of PPE is to protect employees from all sorts of different hazards that can present themselves in the workplace.
According to official statistics, 441,000 people get injured at work each year. PPE is therefore designed to minimise the number of people that get hurt, injured or killed at work.
What industries use PPE?
There are many industries where PPE is commonplace. One of the most obvious instances where PPE is used is in the healthcare industry. Doctors, nurses and carers are dedicated to providing specialist care to their patients. As such, they must wear appropriate PPE such as protective gloves and face masks to avoid spreading diseases. But it’s not just doctors and nurses that need PPE.
Work gloves are also necessary for construction companies to prevent injuries and to avoid unnecessary wear and tear of employees’ hands. PPE is especially important when employees are working with hazardous or corrosive chemicals and substances.
Why should you use PPE?
1. It keeps your employees safe
Businesses are required to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. A key facet of this is providing PPE equipment that is suitable for the working environment.
2. Efficiency
You might think that PPE slows workers down. But the opposite is true.
From an efficiency point of view, PPE can help increase productivity. This is because employees that wear PPE are less inclined to take time off due to illness or injury, meaning your business is more likely to make money more and in profitable zone.
3. It’s the law
Regulations in the UK stipulate that employers must provide workers with the correct protective equipment. Failure to do this can lead to an expensive lawsuit which can end up costing hundreds of thousands of pounds in the event of a payout.
Not only this, but if your business’ reputation is tarnished due to a health and safety breach, it can be hard to financially recover from this. Especially if clients get wind that you don’t take employee safety seriously!
Final thought
Although PPE and health and safety isn’t exactly a thrilling topic, it’s an important one. PPE is not only required by law, but it is crucial if you’re going to run a business successful and efficient.
Whether you work in care or constriction, it’s important to take protective equipment seriously now and in the future.