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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

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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!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for you feedback Mrs. Igleheart! What a very good response makes me think twice after deciding not to wear my hardhat.. Joshua
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Glad you did not think it was too harsh. I was a little concerned about that. Be safe! Kim Igleheart
Thank you comment icon Hi Kim: This is a very good response. Thank you for pointing out "what will happen" if you don't wear your PPE. I'm sorry to hear about you getting forced off the road but, your comments are right on point. Again, thanks for sharing your experience! Sheila Jordan
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Robert’s Answer

Lifelong personal injury, impaired ability to enjoy family, friends, and loved ones.

Robert recommends the following next steps:

If PPE is provided and you choose not to wear it, ask what the effect will be on your person and your personal life.
If you lose your vision from not wearing your safety glasses, you'll never see your loved ones' faces again.
Evaluate why you go to work every day and why the company is providing the PPE. They wouldn't be spending the money if there was no reason for it.
If you can find a suitable alternative - different style of glove, different fit of glasses, etc - you may can get administration to change what they purpose to benefit the employees.
If you opt not to wear it and you get hurt, you live with the lifelong damage from the incident, potential termination, and an indeterminate court case, dependent on what documentation the company has to prove that you were properly trained and directed/corrected (multiple times?) to wear your PPE. Check out this video on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgkvxUtczLA
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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!
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Sheila’s Answer

Hi Joshua:

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
Thank you comment icon Hi Shiela! Thanks for providing this endorsement. In the future, you can leave this feedback in a comment, either on the question or on one of the pieces of advice. Thanks for being an active member of our community! Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
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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:

Talk with your supervisor or employer about getting PPE that is more comfortable
Wear your PPE whenever you are in a situation that requires it
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