Respondents

• Shawn Gregg, vice president, global safety, Wesco, Pittsburgh
• David Kennedy, business development manager, VAC-U-MAX, Belleville, N.J.
• Dave Opheim, business development manager, flame & gas detection, MSA Safety, Cranberry Township, Penn.
• Dustin Schneider, channel sales director, Diversified Fall Protection, Westlake, Ohio.

Top to bottom: Shawn Gregg, Wesco; David Kennedy, VAC-U-MAX; Dustin Schneider, Diversified Fall Protection; Dave Opheim, MSA Safety. Courtesy: Wesco, VAC-U-MAX, Diversified Fall Protection, MSA Safety.

Question: Can you provide an overview of the potential hazards that exist in manufacturing and industrial facilities, and how you prioritize them in terms of risk management?

Shawn Gregg: Safety glasses, hearing protection and hand protection are all very common. However, a formal hazard assessment is recommended, since it helps to pinpoint the organization’s individual needs. Selecting the correct PPE for each of these and other categories is truly a unique process to every organization, as the hazards can be slightly different.

David Kennedy: The first hazard is management that places production and/or profits ahead of safety. Prioritize with government-mandated regulations (OSHA, NFPA, EPA, NIOSH, UL, etc.) and complement them with your safety procedures based on process awareness of hazards in your specific facility.

Question: What are the primary types of PPE used in your manufacturing facility?

Dave Opheim: With OSHA recently releasing an updated version of its “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” Safety and Health Bulletin, we’re seeing more interest in head protection options overall, but more specifically those with Type II certification. It’s important to keep in mind that each manufacturing facility and jobsite can face different hazards and should consider what head protection solution would be best suited for them. Conducting a hazard assessment and reviewing the latest bulletins and standards can help in determining the ideal head protection solution for workers.

Question: How do you ensure compliance with OSHA and other relevant safety standards for PPE and how do you stay in compliance?

Dustin Schneider: To ensure compliance with OSHA and other safety standards for PPE, we can start by staying informed about the latest regulations and industry best practices. This involves subscribing to updates from regulatory bodies and participating in relevant training sessions. Conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and determine the appropriate PPE requirements.

Comprehensive training programs are essential to educate employees on proper PPE usage and maintenance. Training should be a major focus and more than just a box to check before moving on. Continuous improvement and fostering a culture of safety are crucial to maintaining compliance.

Effective PPE training and implementation can reduce worker injuries and improve safety. Courtesy: Wesco

Question: To what extent do equipment maintenance and durability pose challenges for your PPE and fall protection programs?

Shawn Gregg: We have seen maintenance teams commonly lacking in general electrical safety training, so an NFPA 70E class is something we strongly recommend to any employee who has to use a multimeter. The risk of electrical shock and possible electrocution is still a common concern that training can help these team members avoid.

Question: How do you approach the selection and use of PPE in your facility? What steps have you or your company taken to ensure employees have access to and properly use the necessary PPE?

David Kennedy: PPE, such as PAPRs are used in lieu of effective dust collection and housekeeping techniques. But the costs of PAPRs such as ongoing fit-test requirements, filter replacements and reduced productivity, are often overlooked. Implement fugitive dust capture as the big-picture solution in lieu of PAPRs.

Question: How do you assess the effectiveness of your PPE training programs?

Dustin Schneider: Evaluating the effectiveness of our PPE training programs involves multiple approaches. We use quizzes and tests before and after training sessions to gauge knowledge acquisition and retention. Hands-on evaluations during training sessions ensure that employees can properly don, doff, and use PPE. Employee feedback is collected through surveys and suggestion boxes to understand their perceptions and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, we monitor workplace safety records, focusing on PPE-related incidents and compliance during safety audits. This comprehensive assessment helps us refine our training programs to enhance their effectiveness continually. 

Question: Can you explain the process for replacing PPE, and how do you ensure replacements are timely?

Dave Opheim: This can vary based on the type of PPE, but it’s important to keep record of when the PPE is purchased and the date of first use. In many cases, the recommended replacement date is from the day of first use. However, depending on the environment, application and use, PPE may need to be replaced even sooner.

Ultimately, it’s important to inspect PPE regularly, including daily inspections by an authorized user and at least once or twice a year by a competent person, and by keeping track of purchase dates, in-use dates and following industry and manufacturer recommendations. Together, these can all help guide the PPE replacement process.

Question: Can you provide examples of how PPE has effectively reduced injuries or incidents in your facility?

Dave Opheim: Taking a multifaceted approach that includes thorough inspections of PPE, comprehensive training and education, and placing a strong emphasis on preventive measures, including ergonomic assessments to help mitigate repetitive strain injuries, can all be helpful in reducing injuries and incidents. Taking the time for workforce training and education, including reviewing the latest safety standards and advisories, and intentionally investing in proper PPE and safety equipment designed with the intention of helping to mitigate the hazards can not only enhance worker safety, but also proactively create a broader culture of safety across an organization. 

Question: How do you evaluate new PPE technologies before deciding to integrate them into your safety protocols?

Dave Opheim: Performing a hazard assessment can be a baseline tool for determining what new safety technologies may be applicable to your worksite or workplace. But also, utilizing data can be a way of looking at how safety solutions, whether it’s hardware or software, can be utilized to help enhance safety protocols.

With connected safety solutions becoming more popular, they’re able to help simplify safety program management to help drive safety and accountability, while simplifying reporting and compliance. Industry standards and regulations around relevant concerns — such as heat stress, for example — may also drive the need for new innovations that enhance worker safety in specific conditions.

Question: What steps do you take to continuously improve PPE usage and effectiveness in your facility?

Dave Opheim: Three focus areas that can help improve PPE usage and effectiveness include maintaining open communication, training and PPE supply. Clearly communicating safety standards and expectations can help mitigate risk and help enhance workplace safety, while training workers and keeping them familiar and up to date on best practices for safety within your workplace, including offering certified training course options, can help prevent workplace accidents. Additionally, maintaining an adequate PPE supply to accommodate a diverse range of worker body types and comfort preferences can help improve PPE usage and compliance. 

Question: Have you found any cost-effective solutions for high-quality PPE without compromising safety?

David Kennedy: Fugitive dust capture and containment are the best first line “PPE” selections because they protect workers as well as the facility itself.

Submerged recovery vacuum cleaners render explosive and reactive powders inert by drawing the debris under liquid, safely separating the debris from the air stream. Designed in anti-sparking 304 stainless steel the cart-type dolly features a grounding reel and 6-inch static conductive casters for easy mobility. Courtesy: VAC-U-MAX

Dustin Schneider: Challenging the notion of always cutting costs, we emphasize that safety and quality should never be compromised. We’ve found that investing in high-quality PPE, though initially more expensive, provides better long-term value through enhanced durability and superior protection. This approach minimizes the need for frequent replacements and reduces the risk of workplace injuries, which can be far more expensive.

We also explore cost-effective measures such as negotiating bulk purchase agreements with trusted suppliers and leveraging technology to track PPE usage and maintenance, ensuring we maximize the efficiency and lifespan of our protective equipment without compromising safety.

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