As the economy worsen more Americans overlook to follow important safety procedures and protocols.

According to a survey released by Kimberly-Clark Professional 89% of safety professionals have witnessed workers not wearing PPE when they should.

The main reasons for workers not complying with important safety rules and protocols are directly related to the economy.

As business concerns get more attention, safety concerns get impacted during though economic times. Other reasons affecting safety programs are;

• Safety training programs or resources are affected by the economy
• Employees have more to do within the same time period due to workforce reduction
• Less money available for safety education and training

In the US, work related injuries cost more than $50 billion a year. The great majority of these injuries are cause by employees not complying with PPE protocols due to comfort and style.

This year’s survey also polled safety professionals about the steps they have taken or intend to take to encourage greater PPE compliance.

• Improving existing education and training programs
• Purchasing more comfortable PPE
• Increased monitoring of employees
• Tying compliance to individual performance evaluations and purchasing more stylish PPE

In the current economic climate it is more important than ever to invest in PPE that workers will want to wear. Busineses should not cut corners whenever it comes to employee safety, training and equipment. Even in a slow economy the financial burden of just one serious injury or fatality could put a company out of business. Safety doesn’t cost, it pays.