A lot depends upon the safety of your employees: what they do, the equipment and chemicals they work with or near, their coworkers, and the policies and procedures they follow. Add to this list the clothes they wear. Depending upon the tasks they perform, what they wear can mean the difference between going home the way they came in, and not going home at all.

Clothing can both protect employees from hazards and be the cause of hazards. For example, look at the cases where workers have gotten their sleeves caught in rollers, or electrical workers who were not wearing clothing made of flame-resistant fabric when a loose spark caused ignition.When this type of situation happens, it often leads to tragic results.

There are a number of factors employees should consider when choosing what clothing they will wear to work, especially if they work where there is a high potential for hazards.

Clothing that protects

Some positions require the use of articles of clothing known as personal protective equipment (PPE). This can include anything from safety shoes to hard hats.

Usually, PPE requires some level of training to keep employees aware not only of any potential hazards, but also how to ensure that their PPE will protect them from hazards.

It is generally the company's responsibility to determine when and what type of PPE employees are required to use. It is the employees’ responsibility to:

• Use the PPE appropriately,
• Be aware of how your PPE works,
• Know how and when to use it,
• Its limitations, and
• How to maintain it.

Personal Protective Equipment hazards

Some tasks will require PPE. These articles of protection can actually create hazards. A protective glove can become caught between rotating parts, or a respirator facepiece can fog up and hinder the wearer's vision. PPE requires continued alertness whenever it is used.

Sometimes wearers of PPE can be lulled into a false sense of security believing that the protection offered to them by PPE is higher than it actually is. Ensure that employees are aware of any limitations of the PPE that is assigned them.

Beyond Personal Protective Equipment

You may choose what PPE your employees must wear, but they can add to their level of protection by choosing their own clothing wisely.

Here are a few examples of occupations and some clothing elements to consider:

Clothing that causes hazards

It is easy to see how clothing selection can have an impact on employee safety, whether they work indoors or out.

Working around machines of any kind generally requires one to dress with safety as a primary consideration. A typical dress code might prohibit loose-fitting clothes, jewelry, torn clothing, and shirts with long or baggy sleeves, shorts, dresses, or tank tops.

Wearing dark clothing at night or in a dark environment can keep employees from being seen by others. This can lead to accidents involving moving equipment such as forklifts or other vehicles.

Poorly fitted clothing can also lead to slips, trips, or falls. For example, pants that are too long or shoelaces that won't stay tied can easily pave the way for a tumble down a set of stairs.

Employees probably wouldn't wear heavy clothing if they're working in a hot climate, but coverage like long sleeves will protect them from the burning rays of the sun.

Another thing to remember is that if employees have been working in an atmosphere involving contaminants, some of the contaminants may have gotten onto their clothing. To avoid sharing those contaminants with others, they might want to change into fresh clothes before you leave work. It helps to have a locker room to change.

If you work in an industry that involves potentially harmful contaminants, you can also have industrial launderers take care of the garments.