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Most Cost-Effective Safety Gear:  Earplugs, Goggles, Vests, and Hard Hats

 

A major line item of facility budgets today is earmarked for safety gear. This reality will likely stay the same for the foreseeable future—worker expectations are rising, best safety practices are becoming more common, and rules and regulations continue to be enforced. Fortunately, there are ways to get more safety for your money.  

 

Safety gear—such as earplugs, goggles, vests, hard hats and other personal protection equipment—is available from many suppliers, but navigating this landscape can be confusing. The following details will help you find the best deals and best gear for your workforce. 

 

The Role of OSHA Regulations in Safety Gear 

Among the many reasons to supply protective gear is that many safety items are mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For example, OSHA standard 1926.100(a) states that employees working in areas where head injury is a possibility must be provided protective helmets. Hearing protection has a similar rule: standard 1926.101(a) calls for workers to have earplugs or other hearing protection in dangerously loud environments.  

 

If you find yourself in need of guidance on any OSHA rules and how to implement them, there is help available. OSHA offers free and confidential consultation, including on-site visits, if requested. Many industrial product suppliers are also well versed in OSHA rules and also understand the safety products available to meet them. Lastly, there are many third-party consultants who could advise you on these matters.  

  

Cost Issues for Earplugs and Earmuffs 

OSHA rules require that employers offer at least two options for hearing protection—at least one earplug and one earmuff—if the workplace experiences high decibel levels. This is meant to give workers the option of finding a comfortable solution. It also means that your maintenance and safety budget needs to include both.  

 

Raw materials affect the cost of earplugs and earmuffs. Most earplugs are made out of oil-based products like resin, and this can result in earplug prices being tied to the price of oil. But more pronounced are the effects of supply and demand surges on prices, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor and transportation disruptions might affect inventories and, therefore, costs. Over time, these disruptions should decrease, and prices should become more stable. 

 

Special options will affect prices, too. For example, earplugs are available with cords or as reusable models. These obviously will cost more. Earmuffs have a range of options, too, including models that are more comfortable or that can attach to hard hats. Some earmuffs even have radios or other electronics wired into them. 

 

Safety Glasses and Goggles:  Cost Issues

Fortunately, the market for glasses and goggles is robust, and there are many options available at many price points. Safety glasses almost always cost less than goggles because of their simpler design. Their price differences usually depend on their varieties of earpieces and lens types.  

 

Safety goggles, on the other hand, are more costly because of their wraparound design. They are made with more plastic and also feature a strap. While goggles cost more, they can usually be reused for a long period of time. This would theoretically save your operation money in the long run.  

 

Safety Vests:  What Affects Cost?

Safety vests are mandated by OSHA in certain situations, such as on some construction sites, and therefore might need to be included in your budget. The best thing about safety vests—from a cost perspective—is that they are very reusable.  

 

As with safety glasses, vests come in a variety of options and are priced accordingly. A basic vest should be highly visible, comfortable, and durable. This kind of vest will meet most needs. But sometimes, a vest with more features—a few pockets or a logo, for example—makes a big difference. These vests will obviously cost a little more. 

 

Hard Hats:  What Are the Requirements? 

Hard hats and safety helmets are key pieces of safety gear that are mandated by OSHA in many situations. Their costs vary widely, but one feature to look for is whether the hats meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards. These hats and helmets protect against heavy impact and are needed in workplaces where such exposure is possible. These products will cost more than those that do not meet ANSI standards. (Sometimes lower-impact hard hats are called “bump caps.”)  

 

A few other factors affect the cost of hard hats. Those made domestically tend to cost more than imported ones. Hats with vents, bills, liners, or face shields might cost more, as well.  

 

How Can You Manage Costs of Safety Gear? 

Safety gear expenses can be significant if you have a large operation, but thankfully there are ways to get the most safety for your money. Consider the following tips:  

  • Get advice. Workplace safety is an area that requires both industrial and regulatory expertise. The good news is that there are many sources of great advice and consultation. These include OSHA consultants, reputable product suppliers, and third-party experts. Being well informed will ensure that you are legally compliant and also that you are protecting your workforce in the best way possible.  
  • Buy in volume. As is the case with most products, buying safety gear in volume will most likely earn you a discount. It might also limit the shipping costs of your order.  
  • Be savvy. Beware of deals that look too good to be true. Product descriptions might be misleading, and some products might not even be OSHA compliant. Furthermore, an underperforming product might put your workers at risk.  

 

Finding the Best Value for Safety Items 

A trustworthy supplier, like Benchmark, will ensure that you get what you pay for. They also have the expertise to walk you through what might be needed in any safety situation, whether it’s a factory, warehouse, workshop, or other facility.  

 

Interested in advice—either technical or regulatory—about safety gear? Talk to one of our qualified experts.