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Study Shows Employees Struggle to Wear PPE

Underlying factors that contributed to PPE noncompliance were lack of adequate sizing, heat stress, and supply chain disruptions.

Study Shows Employees Struggle to Wear PPE

The PPE Pain Points Study was distributed to over 12,000 contacts in a variety of industries including transportation, manufacturing, and construction.

Photo: J.J. Keller

2 min to read


J.J. Keller released the results from its J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights study on PPE pain points, which found over 90% of respondents said they often or sometimes have issues with their employees following proper personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols.

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Underlying factors that contributed to PPE noncompliance were lack of adequate sizing, heat stress, and supply chain disruptions, according to J.J. Keller.

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Key study findings:

  • 34% said they had trouble buying PPE in the sizes they need.

  • 35% of respondents struggle to purchase PPE that fits their female employees.

  • 71% said they often or sometimes experienced supply chain delays in the past year.

  • 90% of respondents have trouble getting their employees to wear their PPE.

The PPE Pain Points Study was distributed to over 12,000 contacts in a variety of industries including transportation, manufacturing, and construction. Most respondents (89%) were responsible for purchasing PPE and work for companies with less than 500 employees.

"While our respondents are clearly committed to prioritizing employee safety, their employees resist wearing the PPE they need because it's hot, it makes it harder to do their job, or they just aren't interested in doing so," said Christy Panagakis, J. J. Keller senior customer and market insights analyst. "When PPE doesn't fit properly, or they're unable to get the PPE they need due to supply chain issues, that only compounds the challenges safety managers face."

Check out more info on the study here. 

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