FACTS

While Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is crucial for ensuring safety in the hospitality industry, there are certain hazards associated with its use, especially if not managed properly:

• Improper Use and Training: Employees must be properly trained on how to use PPE correctly. Incorrect use can lead to a false sense of security and potentially increase the risk of injury or illness.
• PPE Maintenance and Care: If PPE is not properly maintained, cleaned, or replaced when needed, it can fail to provide the intended protection.
• Heat Stress: In kitchens or laundry areas, wearing certain types of PPE can increase the risk of heat stress, especially in high-temperature environments. Employees might suffer from dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke if PPE does not allow for adequate ventilation or if it traps heat.
• Limited Mobility and Visibility: Some PPE might restrict movement or visibility, which can be particularly hazardous in fast-paced environments like commercial kitchens or when handling heavy equipment in a hotel setting.
• Allergic Reactions: Some employees may have allergic reactions to materials used in PPE, such as latex gloves, which can lead to skin irritations or more severe allergic responses.
• Improper Fit: PPE must be correctly fitted to the individual user. Ill-fitting PPE can cause discomfort, restrict movement, or fail to provide the necessary protection, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
• Dependency on PPE Alone: Relying solely on PPE without implementing other safety measures can be a hazard.

STATS

• Each year, 700,000 work days are lost due to injuries caused by the failure of personal protective equipment.
• Around 9,000 personal protective equipment-related accidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive every year.
• According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, increased spending on PPE significantly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes expenditures on items such as masks, gloves, face shields, and hand sanitizers to protect employees and guests from potential exposure to the virus.
• In Canada, workplace injuries and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are critical issues. According to recent reports, over 277,000 claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases were accepted by compensation boards in 2021. It’s estimated that 37.6% of these injuries could have been prevented with proper use of PPE​ (Canada.ca)​​ (CSA Group)​.
• Moreover, work-related injuries result in significant lost workdays. For instance, each year, Canadian employees lose an estimated 9.3 days per worker due to illness or disability, which equates to around 105 million workdays across all full-time employees​ (Statistics Canada)​.