If PPE is provided and I choose not to wear it, what would the punishment be?
Sometimes PPE can be a nuisance #career #construction #engineering
5 answers
Kim’s Answer
The punishment would be death. Or a concussion. Or having your foot amputated. Seriously.
There are laws requiring PPE to be worn. Whoever hires your company to do the construction project will include something in the contract requiring your company to comply with safety requirements. You will never see that contract. Your company can get hit with major regulatory fines if you don't wear your PPE. Your company will not be happy if you cost them thousands of dollars. You will be fired.
PPE is never comfortable! But let's think about something other than heavy equipment, and you will see how important PPE is. Imagine a police officer not wearing a bulletproof vest. They are hot, and very uncomfortable. They always "ride up." If you watch cops on the news, they are always grabbing the vest near their throats and pushing it down. So, what happens if an officer does not wear his vest?
Now, imagine a construction site. A steel beam gets dropped on your foot. Or something falls and hits you in the head. Or you are working up high and don't "tie off." Young people tend to think nothing will ever happen to them. I used to think that way. I was forced off the road, and was not wearing my seatbelt. Results? Three broken ribs, bruised liver, and two months out of work.
Please, wear your PPE!
Michael’s Answer
PPE protects you from injury or death, protects the company from claims and bad publicity, and (most importantly) protects your family and friends from having to cope with your injury or death.
At best, not wearing PPE means you get a warning or are sent home for the day. Most likely, not wearing PPE will get you fired.
If you PPE is not comfortable, talk with your employer or supervisor. Most companies understand that having comfortable PPE means that you will be more likely to wear it and are less likely to be impeded by it, so they will invest in purchasing you PPE that fits properly.
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Sheila’s Answer
Based on researching and reading the comments, you can't go wrong with any of the advice already provided by the CV Professionals. Best of luck to you.
~ Sheila
Peter’s Answer
The SHORT answer is that if you refuse to wear required PPE, you will not be allowed to work at a jobsite.
For all of the reasons, listed above: WEAR THE PPE!
Robert’s Answer
Lifelong personal injury, impaired ability to enjoy family, friends, and loved ones.
Robert recommends the following next steps: