Form Follows Function When Selecting Personal Protective Equipment
Size matters and increasingly the prevention of occupational illnesses and injuries will rely on the shape of the individual worker to specify the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used. This process uses anthropometry, the scientific study of the proportions and measurements of the human body, to determine the correct fit for workers in both construction and industrial settings.
Why do inaccurate measurements of body proportions potentially impact worker safety? PPE discarded or ignored by workers because of poor fit exposes them to the very environmental hazards that the PPE was intended to counteract but correct fitment is not exclusive to PPE selection alone. An improperly sized workspace actually may increase the likelihood of an accident such as in the case of an employee operating a piece of heavy equipment from a cabin that is too small or too large, creating blind spots that could lead to him or her injuring or killing nearby co-workers.
Traditionally, most PPE have been designed by men for use by other men without taking into consideration the special needs of women, forcing them to use equipment and gear that may be out of proportion with their body dimensions. For example, a woman contracts a serious illness because she wore a poorly fitting respirator that was designed to be worn by a man. Another concern is a woman not wearing the respirator at all due to it being too uncomfortable with the result being the same.
Believing that women should just wear smaller versions of what men wear is misguided. They have slimmer feet and hands, shorter arms, more flexible hips, and faces that have a different shape than males, along with other distinct physical characteristics not found in men. These facts require employers to provide their female employees with PPE specifically designed for them.
Safety equipment designers have typically used data regarding body size and shape from studies of military personnel dating back to the 1950’s through the1970’s. The age of the data alone is a concern but more importantly studies show that the anthropometric measurements of military personnel have little in common with those found in both factory workers and indeed the American civilian population as a whole.
Recent technical advances in three dimensional (3D) human form mapping and human form modelling by computers permit anthropometric analysis that is improving the fit and comfort of safety equipment for all body shapes and sizes. These breakthroughs now enable PPE manufacturers to produce both form-fitting and functional equipment that may be worn in comfort without compromising safety.
When selecting PPE for workers, employers should buy from vendors that use advanced anthropometric science as a principle component of their design methodology. These companies will be able to deliver a selection of equipment that truly considers both the form of the worker and the function of the equipment, resulting in a safer workplace.
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URGENT: 3M™ Company Orders Stop Use and Product Recall for its Self-Retracting Lifelines The 3M™ Company has issued an immediate Stop Use and Recall notice for its DBI-SALA® Twin-Leg Nano-Lok™ edge and Twin-Leg Nano-Lok™ Wrap Back Self-Retracting Lifelines. Testing by the company has determined that, under certain conditions, their shock absorbers may not deploy correctly, possibly leading to the injury or death of the wearer. For more specific information regarding this product recall, click on the link to the manufacturer’s website below: https://www.nanolokedgerecall.com/ |
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The Safety Division at Hamond Safety ManagementPlease direct any questions or concerns to:
Anthony Vacchio, avacchio@hamondgroup.com 516-762-4224