Inviting injury

PPE equals one thing personal safety. Employers must ensure that responders are provided with applicable PPE and taught how to use it for the incidents and environments they may encounter. Responders who fail to wear PPE or wear it inappropriately invite injury. Employers should not assume that responders know how or even when to use certain PPE--regular in-service training should be provided. As a responder, you have a responsibility to always undertake safe actions. If you follow this monthly column, you have no doubt heard me say repeatedly that nothing, absolutely nothing, supercedes safety. You are not an expendable resource. Wear your PPE and, most important, wear it the right way.