CEO's desk - May 25

ON THE 8 April 2025 BSIF launched the PPE Saves Campaign during the Health and Safety Event at the NEC, urging organisations to take greater care when selecting these safety-critical products and to involve the people who use them in every step of the process.

Why did we take this step? The answer is simple! Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is such a common sight that its’ importance can sometimes underestimated or undervalued, but when you think about it, it can mean the difference between life and death, safety and serious injury, long-term health and irreversible harm. While other safety controls are essential, PPE remains a vital line of defence when risks cannot be eliminated. We felt that it was time for a strong reminder of the vital role that PPE plays ensuring safety, health and the contribution that it can make to wearer’s feelings of wellbeing.

I have had the privilege to serve the BSIF membership for over 11 years and in that time we and the membership have made best endeavours to ensure that non-compliant and dangerous PPE is removed from the market and that workforces are provided with PPE that performs as it should so that it can save when called upon to do so. Let’s remember that every day, millions of workers rely on PPE not just for protection but for peace of mind. When it's well-designed, fit for purpose, appropriately certified, and correctly specified against the hazard and properly fitted, PPE supports comfort, confidence, a stronger safety culture and better outcomes for both the wearer and the business..

PPE Saves Lives!

PPE is far more than just a precaution, in some cases lives depend on it. While it's often difficult to prove when PPE has directly saved a life, there are consistently high levels of serious workplace accidents where the right protective equipment could have made a critical difference. 

For instance, incidents involving moving vehicles remain one of the leading causes of workplace deaths. Wearing the correct high-visibility clothing and other protective equipment can help workers stay seen and safe and reduce such incidents. Another serious hazard is asbestos exposure, which the WHO identifies as the top cause of work-related deaths globally. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is crucial in protecting workers from inhaling these deadly fibres. In addition to asbestos and other breathable toxins the threat from Silica is becoming ever more recognised. . /,

Every part of the body matters

PPE not only saves lives but also saves heads, eyes, faces, hearing, lungs, hands, bodies, and feet. From head to toe, it prevents injuries, reduces severity, and improves recovery outcomes:

• Footwear: In a study of occupational use, the correct non-slip footwear reduced falls by 49% (BMJ).
• Eye protection: 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented by wearing the correct eye protection (Manchester Royal Eye Hospital).
• Head protection: Over 1 million people attend A&E in England and Wales with a head injury annually (NICE). While these figures include domestic injuries it is clear that many incidents could be prevented or their severity reduced with the right safety helmets and head protection.
• Hearing protection: Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable with properly fitted hearing protection (HSE).
• Hand protection: Hand injuries account for 25% of all non-fatal injuries in workplaces (HSE), yet these can be prevented with the correct hand protection.

All of the above statistics refer to protection from direct harm but we should also reflect on the fact that PPE is worn over long shifts and must be comfortable for the wearer during that time 

The long-term impact of preventable injuries

We rarely consider how life-changing an injury can be until it happens. Beyond the pain of the injury itself, treatment and time off work, even minor injuries can have lasting consequences, while severe ones can alter everything. Let's consider some of the consequences of injuries that could have been prevented with proper PPE: 

Head Protection: Head and brain injuries can result in memory loss, cognitive difficulties, or permanent disabilities. Properly rated correctly worn helmets can mean the difference between walking away from an accident or facing lifelong consequences. 

Hearing Protection: Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and progressive, often leading to social isolation and cognitive decline. Well performing correctly used hearing protection prevents irreversible damage. 

Eye Protection: A single eye injury can result in partial or total blindness. Protective eyewear protects against chemical splashes, flying debris. Correctly fitted eyewear prevents ingress damage and properly thought out selection of lenses will prevent damage from hazardous light exposure.

Foot Protection: Injuries such as fractures, burns, or punctures can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. Non-slip, impact-resistant footwear reduces workplace falls and injuries. Comfort is vital across all PPE but perhaps most obvious in footwear (and protective clothing) as these items are often worn continuously through long work-shifts. Comfort and fit is vital for the wearer.

Respiratory Protection: Inhaling hazardous substances can lead to chronic lung diseases, impacting long-term health. Good fit for purpose respiratory protection, correctly fitted, minimises these risks. 

Hand and Skin Protection: Severe burns, chemical exposure, and deep lacerations can cause permanent damage, affecting daily activities and work performance. The right gloves and protective clothing safeguard against these hazards but again these must be well fitted, comfortable and must not impair the wearer in their duties.

Proper fall protection builds trust and reduces risk. Whether we are talking about permanent fall protection systems or PPE worn while working at height, The correct equipment properly specified and installed protects and reduces physical and mental strain, letting workers move confidently and work productively at height. 

When PPE performs, people can thrive Properly specified, well-fitting, quality PPE not only enhances safety but also allows workers to carry out their jobs effectively and remain in the industries they enjoy for longer. Work can be demanding but the right PPE does more than just protect, it enables people to work safely and comfortably. Beyond protection, great PPE improves comfort, confidence, and morale and even staff retention. To achieve this, it's vital to involve the workforce in PPE selection, because those who wear it know best what works and what doesn’t.

So, through the PPE Saves Campaign BSIF are urging duty holders to look beyond the basics and specify PPE that can make a difference to wearer protection through specifying in conjunction with wearers PPE that is right for the hazard and suitable for their workforces.

Alan Murray is CEO of BSIF. For more information on PPE Saves please go to PPE Saves Campaign – BSIF

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