Workplace safety is a high priority for businesses in all sectors, whether it is construction and manufacturing or healthcare and logistics. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most important safety components of many industries. From helmets, gloves, and safety shoes to overalls, gas detectors, or other professional devices, such equipment ensures employees have the necessary protection against various types of hazard exposure (and conforms with local safety protocols).
However, it is a purchase that many businesses in the UAE make mistakes on, and they can turn out to be expensive lessons leading to safety, money down the drain, and HSE non-compliance. This guide focuses on 5 common mistakes companies make when purchasing PPE in the UAE and how to prevent them.
1. Buying PPE Without Considering Certification and Compliance
PPE scams: Businesses make the wrong purchase. Product-based. When making purchases, it is a common mistake for businesses to buy PPE without checking that it has the necessary certifications and has been properly tested. Do you know NOT all of the PPE in the market is well tested for quality or to meet safety standards?
- Why this matters:
Uncertified PPE leaves workers open to risk and can even carry legal liabilities. For instance, if you cheap out and have non-UAE regulation helmets and gloves, then they might give in when it matters most. - Solution:
Always work with a certified PPE supplier in the UAE. Verify that the products carry local and international certifications, such as ISO, EN, or OSHA compliance. Suppliers like Terra Core provide PPE that is certified and tested, ensuring maximum protection for your workforce.
2. Ignoring the Specific Needs of Your Industry
Different industries have different safety requirements. What works for a construction site may not be suitable for a chemical plant or a healthcare facility. Businesses often make the mistake of purchasing generic PPE without assessing their industry-specific needs.
- Construction and Industrial Sites: Require FR coveralls, helmets, safety gloves, and steel-toed shoes.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries: Need disposable coveralls, chemical-resistant gloves, and respiratory masks.
- Solution:
Conduct a risk assessment and understand the hazards in your workplace. Work with a PPE supplier in Abu Dhabi that offers products tailored for your industry, ensuring both compliance and employee safety.
3. Prioritizing Cost Over Quality
Cost is always a factor when buying PPE, but prioritizing cheap products over quality can be a serious mistake. Low-cost PPE may seem attractive initially, but it often lacks durability, comfort, and effectiveness.
- Problems with cheap PPE:
- Gloves that tear easily or lose grip.
- Helmets that crack under minor impact.
- Safety shoes that wear out quickly or cause discomfort.
- Solution:
Invest in quality PPE that meets safety standards. Working with reputable personal protective equipment suppliers ensures you get products that are durable, comfortable, and compliant. In the long run, this reduces replacement costs and improves workplace safety.
4. Failing to Train Employees on Proper Usage
Even the best PPE is useless if employees do not use it correctly. Businesses often assume that distributing PPE is enough and fail to train staff on its proper usage, maintenance, and limitations.
- Common errors include:
- Wearing safety helmets incorrectly.
- Not using gloves or respirators in hazardous situations.
- Misusing coveralls or failing to replace disposable PPE on time.
- Solution:
Provide regular training and safety workshops. Suppliers like Terra Core often provide guidance on correct usage, helping businesses implement a safe and compliant PPE program. Proper training ensures PPE performs its intended function and protects employees effectively.
- Problems with cheap PPE:
- Gloves that tear easily or lose grip.
- Helmets that crack under minor impact.
- Safety shoes that wear out quickly or cause discomfort.
- Solution:
Invest in quality PPE that meets safety standards. Working with reputable personal protective equipment suppliers ensures you get products that are durable, comfortable, and compliant. In the long run, this reduces replacement costs and improves workplace safety.
5. Neglecting Regular Inspection and Replacement
Another costly mistake is failing to inspect and replace PPE regularly. PPE has a lifespan, and its effectiveness diminishes over time. Businesses often overlook damaged or expired equipment, exposing workers to hazards.
- Signs PPE needs replacement:
- Worn-out gloves or coveralls
- Cracks or dents in helmets
- Broken straps or buckles in harnesses
- Malfunctioning gas detectors or safety devices
- Solution:
Establish a regular inspection schedule and replace worn or damaged PPE immediately. Partnering with a trusted PPE supplier in the UAE, such as Terra Core, ensures you have access to quality replacement products and ongoing support.
- Common errors include:
- Wearing safety helmets incorrectly.
- Not using gloves or respirators in hazardous situations.
- Misusing coveralls or failing to replace disposable PPE on time.
- Solution:
Provide regular training and safety workshops. Suppliers like Terra Core often provide guidance on correct usage, helping businesses implement a safe and compliant PPE program. Proper training ensures PPE performs its intended function and protects employees effectively.
- Problems with cheap PPE:
- Gloves that tear easily or lose grip.
- Helmets that crack under minor impact.
- Safety shoes that wear out quickly or cause discomfort.
- Solution:
Invest in quality PPE that meets safety standards. Working with reputable personal protective equipment suppliers ensures you get products that are durable, comfortable, and compliant. In the long run, this reduces replacement costs and improves workplace safety.
Bonus Tip: Work with a Trusted Supplier
Many businesses make the mistake of sourcing PPE from multiple unknown suppliers to save money. This often leads to inconsistent quality, delays in delivery, and a lack of after-sales support.
- Solution:
Partner with a reliable and certified PPE supplier in the UAE that can provide a wide range of safety equipment under one roof. This streamlines procurement, ensures compliance, and provides peace of mind.
Conclusion
Purchase of PPE for your business within the UAE is not just about being compliant—it is about safeguarding employees, reducing risk, as well as providing for a safe working life. Most frequent errors made by corporations involve the exclusion of certification, purchase of generic gear, settling for prices on quality, inadequate worker training, as well as skipping routine check-ups plus replacements.
Avoid these pitfalls by choosing Terra Core, your trusted PPE supplier in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. With certified products, industry-specific solutions, and expert guidance, Terra Core ensures that your business stays safe and compliant while investing wisely in personal protective equipment.
Protect your workforce. Partner with Terra Core today.
- Solution:
Partner with a reliable and certified PPE supplier in the UAE that can provide a wide range of safety equipment under one roof. This streamlines procurement, ensures compliance, and provides peace of mind.