When safety managers are selecting protective eyewear, do they only focus on the eyes? Or do they think about protecting the entire head, if necessary, and how integrating eyewear with other protective equipment can provide better protection for employees.
We should view “the head” as the total head (including brain, eyes, ears, mouth, etc.) and focus exclusively and relentlessly on safeguarding it. Work injuries that occur above-the-neck are, after all, the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. We believe that by protecting the head, the creativity and judgement that shape our world is safeguarded.
We recently conducted research to gain insights from more than 250 UK specifiers and end users, to focus on the key aspects of selecting, purchasing, testing and ultimately wearing above-the-neck PPE solutions.
When asked to rank (between 1-10) the key factors when selecting PPE, the research determined that specifiers, purchasers and wearers continue to place considerable importance on:
Comfort for the wearer (55 percent gave this a 9 or 10 in importance).
Compatibility of the product with other equipment (45 percent gave this a 9 or 10 in importance).
Style and how it contributes to the company and wearer’s image (19 percent rated this a 7 to 10 in importance).
The research uncovered an increasing concern and need for hassle-free selection and compatibility. Both specifiers and the end users want to feel more confident that their PPE (i.e. hardhats, eyewear, face protection and hearing protection) are compatible with one another. Checking products for compatibility, various risks and the necessary regulations is daunting, especially above the neck, where stakes are at their highest. One of the clearest solutions to this problem is to embrace head protection more as a system and intuitively integrate key elements.