Making the Most of Your 2023 PPE Budget
With the New Year comes new goals, and safety professionals know that smart budgeting is often an important factor in achieving those goals. The following are four tips to help safety professionals make the most of their 2023 PPE Budget.
1. Analyze your PPE usage
A simple first step to making the most of any PPE budget is analyzing its current state. Review your spend, the safety items you’re purchasing, and how frequently you need to reorder. If workers are going through PPE more quickly than expected, it may save money to find more durable gear that will last longer. It’s also possible that workers are tossing their PPE before it’s time. Inventory management programs can help track and control PPE usage. Training and posted guides can help workers to understand when they can continue using an item and when it’s time to launder or toss it.
2. Standardize PPE wherever possible
Look at the various styles of PPE you are purchasing and determine which styles are being used for the same application or environment. After getting input from workers about which styles are most popular, begin phasing out the other options. As a result, you can order fewer styles, buy in bulk, and limit the hassle and expense of keeping PPE in stock. Plus, employees will have buy-in because they had an opportunity to offer their opinion about which styles they like best.
3. Try the latest PPE innovations
Although some might appear more expensive at first glance, many of the latest PPE innovations are more durable so they last longer and actually save money. Look for gloves with increased abrasion resistance, reinforcement points in critical wear areas such as a thumb saddle, and palm coatings that will stand up to tough environments. The latest PPE innovations also include features for increasing worker comfort. This is important because comfortable PPE plays a large role in keeping workers compliant while helping to reduce injuries and protect your bottom line. Look for dexterous, lightweight, and breathable PPE that will keep workers cool and won’t get in the way of the job.
4. Get a professional safety assessment
Consult with a trusted safety expert who can help with the first three tips. In a safety assessment, experts analyze things such as usage, spending and product application. Based on their assessment, the expert can then make recommendations for improving efficiency, such as which PPE to standardize or which new innovations to try.
Article provided by Magid, a North American PPE manufacturer and distributor. For more tips on choosing and using PPE, visit Magid’s Safety Matters Resource Center here.
