Some safety gear gets worn without question. Hard hats, steel-toe boots, high-visibility vests—no argument there. But other critical PPE? Too often, it’s left in lockers, tossed in toolboxes, or “forgotten” in the rush of the workday.
That’s a mistake. Ignored safety gear doesn’t just sit unused—it creates risk. Every missing glove, unworn respirator, or skipped harness increases the chance of injury or death. Here’s what workers overlook the most and why that needs to change.
Hearing Protection: The Silent Killer
Loud environments don’t just make your ears ring. They cause permanent damage.
“People say, ‘I’m used to the noise.’ That’s just the problem. You get used to it right before you lose it for good.” — Robin Postnikoff
The excuse? “I’m used to the noise.”
The reality: Hearing loss sneaks up over time. By the time you notice, it’s too late.
The fix: Earplugs or earmuffs aren’t optional in high-noise areas. Use them or risk losing your hearing for good.
“Until you’ve experienced working deaf, you don’t realize how much you rely on sound cues to stay safe.” — Jeff Mulligan
Hearing damage isn’t just about volume; it’s also about duration. A single blast from a power tool or engine can cause immediate harm. Constant exposure to moderate noise levels degrades hearing over time. The worst part? Hearing loss is irreversible.
Respirators: What You Can’t See Can Hurt You
Dust, chemicals, and airborne toxins don’t care if you can’t see them. They’ll damage your lungs all the same.
“You can have the best systems and processes, the best checklists, the greatest equipment. But if people are not empowered or given permission to use them—they’ll always fall short.” — Dr. Johanna Pagonis
The excuse? “It’s just a little dust.”
The reality: Asbestos, silica, and chemical fumes don’t need much exposure to cause lifelong health issues.
The fix: If the air’s not clean, a respirator is your first line of defense. Fit it properly. Wear it religiously.
Even mild exposure to airborne hazards can have long-term consequences. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and silicosis don’t show up overnight—but once they do, there’s no turning back. A respirator today means healthy lungs tomorrow.
“My eyes are burning. My lungs are burning. And I’m just like, we need to go. And then I see outside, there’s a sign: ‘Respiratory protection required.’ And I’m like, none of you are paying attention to this.“
Safety Goggles: Eyes Aren’t Replaceable
Flying debris, chemicals, sparks—your eyes are constantly at risk.
The excuse? “I don’t like how they feel.”
The reality: Eye injuries can be instant and permanent.
The fix: Comfort doesn’t matter when the alternative is blindness. Wear goggles or risk losing your sight in seconds.
“You can have the best day of your career and still lose an eye in a second. Is that worth the foggy lenses?” — Jeff Mulligan
Fall Protection: One Slip is All It Takes
Working at heights without fall protection isn’t brave—it’s reckless.
The excuse? “I’ve done this a million times.”
The reality: Falls are one of the top killers in workplaces. No second chances.
The fix: Harnesses, guardrails, and proper training keep workers alive. Use them every time.
“He gave a talk on fall protection that morning. The next day, he skipped his own advice, fell, and was gone.” — Jeff Mulligan
“Gravity doesn’t care how many years of experience you have.” — Carolynne Heron
Gloves: Your Hands Are Worth Protecting
Some workers skip gloves because they’re inconvenient. That’s a fast track to injury.
“Until you actually try a skillset, you don’t really understand what it’s like. You can explain how to steer, but until you’re behind the wheel on an icy road with traffic, you don’t really get it.” — Robin Postnikoff
The excuse? “I need better grip and control.”
The reality: Burns, cuts, punctures, and chemical exposure don’t care about convenience.
The fix: Use gloves designed for the job. There’s no excuse for working barehanded in hazardous conditions.
“I used to work with guys who’d take off their gloves for precision. Now a few of them can’t hold a coffee cup.“
Protective Clothing: More Than Just a Uniform
Flame-resistant fabrics, chemical-resistant suits, and cut-proof sleeves exist for a reason.
The excuse? “It’s too hot and uncomfortable.”
The reality: Burns, chemical burns, and deep lacerations are far worse than sweating a little.
The fix: Wear the right protective clothing for the job. It’s designed to save your skin—literally.
“We used to joke about the suits. Until one day a guy didn’t wear his. He still can’t joke about anything.” — Jeremy Desilets
Final Thought: Gear is Useless If You Don’t Wear It
Safety equipment works—but only if workers use it. Ignoring PPE isn’t tough or experienced. It’s a gamble with your health and your life.
“It’s not the equipment. It’s about inclusion. Respect. Making people care enough to protect each other—and themselves.” — Jeff Mulligan
Supervisors need to enforce PPE use, but at the end of the day, responsibility falls on the worker. A single decision—to put on that harness, wear those gloves, use that respirator—can make the difference.
Don’t be the worker who learns this lesson the hard way. Wear your gear. Stay safe. Live to tell the story.
Work smart. Stay strong. Speak up.
Related Articles
- All Posts
- #EmergencyPreparedness
- 2025 safety trends
- 360 Immersive
- 360immersive
- 6S Safety
- accident prevention
- accidental careers
- adjustable workstations
- adult education
- AI automation
- AI implementation
- AI in business
- AI in operations
- AI in Safety
- AI podcast
- AI strategy
- AI transformation
- Alberta safety courses
- Allan James Moore
- artificial intelligence
- asking for help
- audit findings
- audit readiness
- automation in safety
- automation strategy
- avoidable injuries
- awareness
- Aztec Safety
- back strain
- BambooHR integration
- behavior-based safety
- Behavioral Safety
- biometric sensors
- BIS Podcast
- BIS Safety Podcasts
- BIS Safety Software
- BIS Safety Spotlight
- black holes
- Blame Culture
- BP Texas City Explosion
- Brave Leadership
- Brett Burkard
- burnout
- business automation
- Canadian OHS
- Canadian safety
- Canadian safety history
- Canadian safety standards
- carbon monoxide
- Carolynne Heron
- CCOHS
- chemical
- chemical vapors
- chronic injuries
- chronic pain
- cloud-based safety tools
- Coming Soon
- community safety programs
- Competency in Safety
- complacency in safety
- Compliance
- compliance courses
- Compliance In Canada
- compliance issues
- Compliance Reporting
- compliance tools
- compliance training
- compliance vs protection
- Construction advocacy
- Construction education
- Construction industry
- construction safety
- construction safety training
- continuous improvement
- continuous safety improvement
- corporate culture
- corporate training
- corrective actions
- crane
- CSA standards
- Customer Spotlight
- Customer Spotlight Kevin Swinden Global Hazmat Safety Culture Hazmat Management Dangerous Goods Competency in Safety Workplace Risk Mitigation BIS Training Clients Canadian EHS
- customized training
- daily trip inspection
- Damage Prevention
- Dangerous Goods
- dangerous goods classification
- Danny Sellers
- data-driven safety
- Decision Analysis
- defect management
- defect tracking
- defensive driving
- digital compliance
- digital forms
- digital safety
- digital safety tools
- digital safety transformation
- digital transformation
- DMS features
- document control
- document management system
- Dr. Joanna Pagonis
- Dr. Tom Krause
- driver file management
- driver training
- driving instructor program
- DTRMS
- e-learning
- e-learning tools
- early intervention
- education technology
- EHS
- EHS digital solutions
- EHS tools
- Einstein
- electrical safety
- Emergency Action Plan
- emergency preparedness
- emergency response
- emergency supplies
- emotional training
- employee behavior
- employee engagement
- employee health
- Employee Readiness
- employee safety
- employee training
- Energy Isolation
- ergonomic consulting
- ergonomic design
- ergonomic risks
- ergonomics
- Evacuation Procedures
- evidence collection
- EWI Works
- exoskeleton
- exoskeletons
- failure analysis
- fall protection
- field experience
- field safety
- field safety services
- Fire Drills
- fire prevention
- Fire Safety Training
- first aid kit
- first week on the job
- first workplace injury
- fleet management
- fleet safety
- FMEA
- freight
- frontline safety
- future of work
- Global Hazmat
- gravitational waves
- hand injuries
- handling hazardous materials
- hands-on training
- hazard analysis
- Hazard Awareness
- hazard communication
- hazard prevention
- hazard recognition
- Hazardous Energy Control
- Hazmat Management
- Health & Safety Podcast
- health and safety
- hearing loss prevention
- hearing protection
- heavy equipment safety
- hidden workplace hazards
- high voltage systems
- HR automation
- HR software
- human factors
- human in the loop
- Human Performance
- human vs machine
- human-centered design
- human-centered safety
- humor in safety
- ICBC certification
- immersive learning
- Imposter Syndrome
- incident data
- incident investigation
- incident prevention
- incident reporting
- industrial AI
- Industrial Hygiene
- industrial safety
- Infrastructure Risk
- injury consequences
- injury prevention
- injury prevention tips
- injury recovery
- injury reporting
- injury response
- injury response plan
- instructor development
- internal audits
- invisible dangers
- ISO standards
- Jeff Mulligan
- Jennifer Lastra
- job site accountability
- job site hazards
- job site risks
- job site safety
- Jody Young
- KBR Safety Training
- Kevin Swinden
- labor movement
- ladder safety
- Leadership
- leadership accountability
- leadership and empathy
- Leadership in Safety
- Leadership Management
- Lean Manufacturing
- Lean Workplace
- learning from incidents
- learning management
- lifting techniques
- LIGO
- Linda Miller
- LMS
- LMS features
- Lock Out Tag Out
- lockout tagout
- lone workers
- LOTO
- machine learning
- Machine Safety
- Maintenance Safety
- mental health at work
- MI Safety
- Mike Schwartz
- minor injuries
- movement in workplace
- MyZone AI
- Near Miss Reporting
- new workers
- no-blame investigations
- noise exposure
- nonconformance
- Northern BC
- NRCA
- NSC Standard 13
- occupational fatigue
- occupational hazards
- occupational health
- occupational safety
- occupational therapy
- OH&S
- OHS
- OHSA
- oil and gas safety
- omni-training
- onboarding safety
- online learning
- Online safety training
- operational efficiency
- Operational Excellence
- organizational culture
- organizational safety
- OSHA compliance
- OSHA standards
- outdated practices
- overconfidence
- overhead crane courses
- pain awareness
- personal protective equipment
- Pharmaceutical Safety
- physics careers
- pipeline safety
- podcast
- post-accident review
- post-incident protocol
- PPE
- PPE enforcement
- PPE improvement
- pre-trip inspection
- predictive analytics
- pretrip inspection
- preventive action
- proactive safety
- proactive safety measures.
- process improvement
- Professional development
- protective clothing
- psychological hazards
- psychological safety
- quality control
- quality management
- quality standard
- Real Safety Leadership
- real-time safety
- recordkeeping
- regulatory updates
- repetition in safety
- repetitive motion injuries
- respirator safety
- respirators
- risk assessment
- risk management
- risk mitigation
- risk prevention
- risk reduction
- road safety
- Robin Postnikoff
- ROI with AI
- root cause analysis
- root cause correction
- routine task risks
- safe habits
- safe work habits
- safety
- safety accountability
- safety advice
- safety article
- safety automation
- safety awareness
- safety best practices
- safety communication
- safety compliance
- Safety Conversations
- safety culture
- safety data
- safety data sheets
- safety documentation
- safety engagement
- safety follow-up
- safety gear
- safety gloves
- safety goggles
- safety habits
- safety incentives
- safety innovation
- safety insights
- safety inspection
- Safety Leaders
- safety leadership
- Safety Leadership Podcast
- safety legislation
- safety lessons
- safety management
- safety management system
- safety management systems
- safety metrics
- safety mindset
- safety motivation.
- safety myths
- safety planning
- safety podcast
- safety procedure updates
- Safety Procedures
- safety professionals
- safety reporting
- safety review process
- safety shortcuts
- safety software
- Safety Spotlight
- safety systems
- safety technology
- safety theater
- safety tips
- safety training
- safety transformation
- safety transparency
- Sarah Anderson
- Scott Lyall
- shipping documentation
- silent dangers
- silica dust
- Sinogap Solutions
- slow-building hazards
- smart helmets
- smart PPE
- smart safety systems
- smart safety tools
- space science
- Spencer McDonald
- Standardized Work
- storytelling and safety
- storytelling in safety
- supervisor training
- system safety
- TDG
- team communication
- teamwork
- tech and ergonomics
- tech in safety
- tech-enabled learning
- Thinking Driver
- Titan Environmental
- Total Recordable Injury Formula
- tough guy mentality
- toxic air
- training
- training courses
- training management
- training matrix
- training record management
- training records
- training software
- transportation
- transportation of dangerous goods
- Trust and Accountability
- unseen workplace threats
- user experience
- Utility Safety Partners
- vehicle safety
- version control
- veteran advice
- Virtual Reality
- VR safety training
- VR Technology
- wearable technology
- WHMIS
- witness statements
- women in leadership
- work-alone training
- work-related injuries
- worker accountability
- worker advocacy
- worker fatigue
- worker protection
- worker safety
- worker safety habits
- worker safety tips
- worker trust
- worker wellbeing
- workers' rights
- workforce compliance
- workforce management
- workforce training
- workplace accidents
- workplace air quality
- workplace best practices
- workplace certification
- workplace compliance
- Workplace Culture
- workplace hazards
- workplace health
- workplace incident response
- workplace injuries
- workplace injury prevention
- workplace mindset
- Workplace Organization
- workplace risk factors
- workplace risk management
- Workplace Risk Mitigation
- Workplace safety
- workplace safety culture
- Workplace Safety Leadership
- workplace safety rules
- workplace safety tips
- workplace safety training
- workplace stress
- workplace tiredness
- workplace wellness
- WSPS
PPE is the last line of defense against workplace hazards—from hard hats to respirators. To be effective, it must be...
Conducting regular fire drills is more than a formality—it’s essential for building confidence, reinforcing roles, and ensuring workplace teams respond...
LOTO compliance protects workers in Canadian industries by requiring equipment to be locked and tagged during repair or inspection activities.
