PPE for Injury and Illness Prevention

The American health care system is one of the largest industries in the country, and with about 18 million workers today, it is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy. Fortunately, injuries and illnesses have been decreasing for the health care industry, but that doesn’t mean you can take your safety for granted. Get the protection you need from personal protective equipment (PPE) to stay healthy and happy in your job.

Often times, workers don’t wear their safety equipment because it’s a nuisance to put on or because it’s bulky and uncomfortable. It can be tempting not to put PPE on at all unless the safety supervisor is looking, but ultimately, it is up to you to be a professional and recognize the life-saving benefits of PPE.

A poorly fitted piece of protective equipment can cause headache or pain, and if it does, see your supervisor immediately to have it adjusted or re-fitted. But most of the time, it’s just a matter of getting used to wearing these items. This is a lot easier when you remember that, like the football player, you stand a better chance of continuing successfully with your job and your home life if you are protected from possible serious injury by protective equipment.

Health care workers face a variety of on-the-job hazards that can be prevented by proper PPE use, including needlestick injuries, back injuries and latex allergy. Here is a quick refresher on the types of equipment you should be using in your day-to-day work.

Foot protection is a must for all workers in health care. Open-toed shoes are not acceptable, and your footwear should have ample sole protection to prevent injury from stepping on needles or broken materials. Foot protection should also be slip-resistant to protect against trips and falls.

Hand and arm protection is one of the most important pieces of PPE to protect against illness and infection. It must be worn at all times when working with patients, but especially when working with bodily fluids. Chemical hazards are also a concern in this industry that effective PPE may protect against. Select hand and arm protection that is comfortable, and if possible, test it beforehand for skin allergies.

In some cases, full-body protection may be necessary to protect against all harmful agents in the workplace or to prevent outside infection from contaminating a room, surface or patient. When full-body protection is required, it should not be taken lightly. It must be worn whenever you are in designated areas.

When there is a chance of physical, chemical or radiation damage to the eyes or face, you must wear appropriate PPE. Everyday glasses do not qualify and are no excuse for lack of proper protection—request eye and face PPE that fits over glasses.

Respiratory protection is a crucial piece of PPE for health care workers because without it, toxins may enter straight into the body. It is important for you to understand how to use this PPE properly and what its limitations are.

This safety matters flyer is for general informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical or legal advice. © 2010, 2012-2014, 2019 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved