Ensuring Your PPE Fits Properly

PPE, which stands for personal protective equipment, is obviously important for utility crews in all sectors, whether it’s proper work boots, head gear, hand protection, or anything in between.  But, it’s not good enough to simply have these items on hand – you must ensure that they fit properly as well.

Tips for Proper PPE Sizing

There are many tips for proper PPE sizing, as illustrated in this article from Electrical Contractor Magazine.  Here is an abbreviated list that covers the most common forms of PPE:

• Hard hats – allow space between the shell and the suspension mesh, and (hopefully obviously) if the size is too loose, adjust the headband for a snugger fit.
• Fall protection – if you’re working higher than 6 feet up, utilize a harness-based fall protection system.�
• Hand protection – understand that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach; everyone’s hands are sized differently, so you need to take accurate hand measurements to ensure the correct glove fit. �Gloves are especially important, as ones that are too loose can get caught in machinery and ones that are too small can hinder mobility and even cut off circulation.
• Safety glasses – these should rest on your nose, and not pressed up against your face.� The frame should touch your face in 3 places – nose and behind each ear.
• Hearing protection – encompasses earmuffs and ear plugs. �Earplugs generally come in one of 3 types: formable (the spongy kind most of us are familiar with), pre-molded (soft plastic buds), and custom molded.�
• Respiratory protection – in the case of face masks, ensure there is a proper seal between the mask and your face.

I hope you enjoyed these tips for properly sized PPE.� The next step is to check your existing PPE to see what adjustments need to be made.� Good luck!