In Style: Work Apparel Combines Form & Function
The primary objective of protective apparel should always be to protect the wearer from hazards in the work environment. Often, however, the issue of garment wearability is not adequately considered – creating compliance issues with safe operating procedures.It’s clear that compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols is an issue:
- 87 percent of safety professionals surveyed at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress in October said they had observed workers failing to wear PPE when they should have been.
- The main reason cited was “discomfort,” according to 62 percent of respondents who had observed workplace noncompliance.
- When asked what could be improved about the PPE they were currently purchasing, three-quarters of safety professionals surveyed said they would make it “more comfortable.”
OSHA is clear, stating in its PPE selection guidelines that “employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace. PPE that fits well and is comfortable to wear will encourage employee use of PPE.”
Trends in Apparel Design
Fashion in apparel is no longer limited to the Paris runways or the red carpet. And while there will never be a place for a protective garment made of silk and lace with artful draping, plunging necklines or asymmetrical exposed shoulders, most workers are in favor of more fashionable PPE. In fact, 84 percent of the safety pros surveyed at the NSC Congress said they would be more apt to purchase fashionable and attractive PPE if workers would be more likely to wear it and the price was comparable what they were currently paying for similar products.
PPE that allows workers to express their individuality leads to greater compliance. Providing a range of options in terms of color and other style aspects gives workers some control over how they look. When people are content with their appearance in the PPE, it follows that they will be more likely to wear the PPE without modification. Moreover, PPE that is perceived as “cool” is more likely to be worn, especially among the emerging Gen-Y workforce. That is why many PPE manufacturers are looking toward the consumer fashion and sports apparel industries for cues on the latest styles, which can be adapted for the PPE market.
Comfort is Key
Style and fashion is one issue. Comfort is another. For example, if coveralls don’t provide adequate breathability, there is a chance that users will avoid wearing them or will modify them by cutting air holes in the garment, removing sleeves, or making some other modification that compromises the garment’s protective features.What Not to Wear
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| What NOT to Wear | What NOT to Wear | Best Dressed |
Fit is another issue relating to comfort. Here, apparel sizing and body geometry play a role. Garments should not be so small as to restrict movement, but at the same time, they must not be too large, as extra fabric can get caught in moving machinery.
Ill-fitting garments – especially those that are too small – may rip in key stress points such as knees, crotch and seat during use. Or they may not provide adequate coverage. For example, a garment’s sleeves must not ride up to expose skin when the wearer reaches forward.
Garments that allow for an increased range of motion provide greater mobility for the worker, leading to improved productivity and better compliance with wearing protocols. Greater range of motion can be accomplished with apparel designs that exceed ANSI minimum standards or with apparel that incorporates stretch panels, for example.
Employers also need to consider the changing face (and shape) of their workforce. Look for apparel suppliers that offer a range of sizing options to fit all body types. One size does not fit all when it comes to PPE.
Finally, consider the symbiosis among PPE components. Compatibility among PPE components is more easily achieved when those components are designed to work together in the first place. See this concept in action.
At the end of the day, employers would be well served to place themselves in their workers’ shoes (or in this case, their coveralls). Think of the protective garments you provide for employee use. Workers should wear them for protection, but want them for comfort.
PPE of the Future
Safety pros attending the 2007 NSC Congress were asked which of the following innovations they would most like to see in the PPE of the future:
| PPE that automatically adjusts itself to fit different body types | 36% |
| PPE with adjustable heating or air conditioning | 19% |
| PPE that sounds an alarm when it is taken off in a work area or job site | 9% |
| Coveralls and safety glasses that are so attractive they can be worn outside of work | 9% |
| Coveralls with integrated pockets for MP3 players, cell phones, etc | 1% |
| Don’t know/none of these | 7% |
