PPE In Construction: The Cost Of Getting It Wrong

It’s no secret that construction sites are full of potential hazards that require adequate protection. The wrong PPE can have very damaging effects on your employees and your business. Not only does the wrong PPE put your employees' lives at risk, but you also risk incurring damaging costs associated with individuals on your site having an accident at work.

Most people in the industry know it’s crucial to provide their employees with the proper PPE, but many are still not quite aware of the cost the wrong PPE can have on their business.

This is everything you need to know about ensuring your employees have the right protective gear and the risks involved when you get it wrong. 

What Is PPE & Why Is It Important?  

When it comes to the construction industry, PPE is crucial. The space has more safety regulations and hazards than most, making it a dangerous industry to work in. The right protective clothing is essential to curb these dangers as much as possible.

Various types of PPE are required to be worn on construction sites. These include head protection, foot protection, high-visibility clothing, and body protection. They are all required to protect the wearer from different dangers, including falling debris, cuts, grazes, and a range of other accidents that could occur while on-site.

It’s also crucial that you invest in trusted insurance for trades to protect yourself and your business in the event of an unexpected accident.

Who Is Responsible For Providing PPE?

Employers are generally responsible for providing employees with adequate PPE to wear on-site. However, keeping track of your employees and their PPE can be a challenge, particularly if you’re tasked with several sites or a particularly big construction site. At Powered Now, we have construction management software that makes keeping track of your staff and contractors simple.

Your employees are welcome to supply their own PPE if they wish, but you must ensure it complies with the relevant safety standards. Even if your employees provide their own PPE, the employer is still liable if an accident does occur.

When Should PPE Be Used In Construction & Is It Mandatory?

Employers must provide suitable PPE based on the risk assessment carried out for the construction site. The necessary PPE protects the eyes, face, head, hands, and feet.

Several different types of PPE need to be worn for different circumstances. These are some of the types of PPE used on construction sites and when it should be used:

• Earplugs to protect employees from noise
• Safety gloves if dealing with sharp objects, machinery, heavy objects or chemicals
• Hard hats to protect from falling debris
• Safety goggles to protect from debris or splashes of liquids
• Face screens to protect from extreme heat when undertaking jobs like welding
• Respirators to protect from dust
• Specialist clothing if dealing with corrosive liquids
• Overalls, if your employees need full body protection
• Safety boots to prevent slipping and steel toes to protect feet from drops
• Harness if employees are working from a height

What Are The Costs Associated With Getting PPE Wrong?

Getting PPE wrong can be costly for businesses. PPE helps prevent severe injury and can even save employees' lives on your job sites. Not supplying the correct PPE puts your contractors at risk and risks huge potential costs associated with injury.

The wrong PPE can lead to personal injury claims, potential fines, and even prosecution. It’s not just the physical costs of compensation and fines that businesses should be worried about. You also need to keep your reputation in mind, as having an accident caused by negligence or incorrect PPE can tarnish your reputation. You could even have your liability insurance made invalid and be banned from operating, so you would also have to endure the costs of losing your business.

You can use a personal injury calculator to estimate how much a compensation claim could cost you. These are some of the costs associated with common construction injuries:

• A severe neck or back injury could cost you over £160,000
• A serious hand injury to just one hand could end up costing you up to £60,000
• A serious shoulder injury could cost up to £20,000 in compensation

Protect Your Employees & Your Business With The Right PPE

The right PPE can save lives and money in the long run. Construction sites contain a number of hazards that require proper protection and the correct safety gear.

Avoid expensive compensation costs and protect your employees and contractors by ensuring you get PPE right every time.