End-users might not open up to their safety suppliers, but they open up to us! Our latest Reader Panel survey asks what's right and what's wrong with the PPE in today's safety market. Here's what our respondents had to say:

1. Are you the person responsible for ordering personal protective equipment (PPE) or apparel (PPA) for your workplace?

Yes: 54%
No: 46%

2. When your company selects PPE or PPA, which of the following is most often a deciding factor?

Quality: 34%
Ease-of-use: 22%
Price: 18%
Comfort: 10%
Manufacturer's reputation: 7%
Distributor's reputation: 5%
Familiarity with the product (ie. "It's what the workers are used to"): 4%
Delivery: 0%
Guarantee: 0%
Company/brand name: 0%

Other:

"Must meet standards e.g. CSA."

"The most expensive is not always the best, the cheapest is not always the worst. Know what your needs are. Make sure that you buy what you need."

"We purchase whatever is required and usually try out a few samples before deciding on a product."

3. Do you ever offer feedback to your PPE/PPA suppliers or manufacturers, on what you like or don't like about a product?

Yes: 54%
No: 46%

4. In your opinion, which of the following products on the market need to be improved? (check all that apply)

Eyewear: 89%
Hearing protection: 87%
Respiratory protection: 74%
Hand protection: 71%
Protective apparel: 68%
Head protection: 64%
Foot protection: 63%
Fall protection/travel restraint: 54%
Gas Monitors: 50%

5. Please explain what improvements you would like to see made to PPE/PPA.

Comfort

"Cooler, lighter version of the CSA hard hat. It is the least accepted piece of equipment."

"Most fire retardant clothing is very hot. Encourage manufacturers to look at lightweight fabrics."

"Well ventilated, lighter weight hard hats with wider brims (or snaps to attach mesh cloth for sun protection) and comfortable chin straps."

Fit

"Better sizing for women."

"Different sizes readily available, or equipment that's easy to adjust."

"It is difficult to find safety footware for people with wide feet. (xxx+)."

Convenience

"It would be an idea if protective apparel had one or two pockets."

"User-friendly charts to show appropriate PPE/PPA for various tasks."

"Simplicity for ordering parts, ie. respirators."

"Safety glasses that work well with prescription glasses."

Other

"Durability."

"Fall restraint harnesses are very difficult to use...confusing."

"Would ne nice to have respiratory protection that filters all contaminants and yet is easy to use and breathe through."

"More distributors."

"Suppliers should ensure that when equipment is needed for emergency response, the prices will not skyrocket."

"Results or testimonials of 'real world' experiences about effectiveness and comfort."

"Many times I see fashion included in the development of PPE. I think this is okay and should be continued, but not at the cost of performance."

"It would be nice to have hardhats that are contemporary in design like those used by climbers. The construction hardhat is a 50-year-old design."

"Employees do not always agree with what management is trying to do. More information by the supplier on why the product should be used is helpful.