The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is proud to launch “PPE Saves”, a new campaign spotlighting the vital role performed by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in protecting workers and ensuring people and businesses thrive.
Personal Protective Equipment is sometimes undervalued, yet it can mean the difference between life and death, safety and injury, long-term health and preventable harm. While other safety controls are essential, PPE remains a vital line of defence when risks cannot be eliminated.
Every day, millions of workers rely on PPE not just for protection but for peace of mind. When it’s well-designed, fit for purpose, correctly certified, and correctly fitted, PPE supports comfort, confidence, and a stronger safety culture.
The PPE Saves campaign urges organisations to take great care and involve their employees when selecting these safety critical products.
PPE Saves Lives!
PPE is far more than just a precaution—in some cases lives depend on it. While it’s often difficult to prove when PPE has directly saved a life, there are consistently high levels of serious workplace accidents where the right protective equipment could have made a critical difference.
For example, incidents involving moving vehicles remain one of the leading causes of workplace deaths. Wearing high-visibility clothing can help workers stay seen and safe and reduce such incidents. Another serious hazard is asbestos exposure, which the WHO identifies as the top cause of work-related deaths globally. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is crucial in protecting workers from inhaling these deadly fibres.
Every part of the body matters
PPE not only saves lives but also saves heads, eyes, faces, hearing, lungs, hands, bodies, and feet. From head to toe, it prevents injuries, reduces severity, and improves recovery outcomes:
- In a study of occupational use, the correct non-slip footwear reduced falls by 49% (BMJ).
- 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented by wearing the correct eye protection (Manchester Royal Eye Hospital).
- Over 1 million people attend A&E in England and Wales with a head injury annually (NICE). Many incidents could be prevented or their severity reduced with the right safety helmets.
- Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable with properly fitted hearing protection (HSE).
- Hand injuries account for 25% of all non-fatal injuries in workplaces (HSE), yet these can be prevented with the right hand protection.
When PPE performs, people thrive
Properly specified, well-fitting, quality PPE not only enhances safety but also allows workers to carry out their jobs effectively and remain in the industries they enjoy for longer. Work can be demanding but the right PPE does more than just protect—it enables people to work safely and comfortably. Beyond protection, great PPE improves comfort, confidence, and morale and even staff retention.
When sourced responsibly, well-designed, fit for purpose, correctly certified, and correctly fitted, PPE contributes to a safer, more productive workforce. PPE isn’t just about compliance, it’s about keeping people well, engaged, and performing at their best.
Commenting on the launch of “PPE Saves”, BSIF CEO Alan Murray says: “PPE is vital for protecting lives across Britain every single day. But not all PPE performs well, and that’s a serious problem.
“ “PPE Saves” is a campaign dedicated to making sure workers have access to suitable and reliable PPE because investing in quality products isn’t just about safety, it shows you value your people.
“There’s a wide range of innovative, comfortable, and sustainable PPE on the UK market. Yet poor-quality products are still in widespread use, compromising worker comfort and putting lives at risk. That’s why we’re raising awareness of what good PPE looks like, where to find it, and how to make sure it performs.”
For PPE that protects people and helps workers and businesses to thrive, visit: www.registeredsafetysupplierscheme.co.uk
For support in specifying PPE, find out more about the BSIF’s Sourcing Safety course as well as the Duty Holder Membership Scheme, which includes access to a PPE Helpline, visit: bsif.co.uk/join-bsif/
Share your PPE story
The “PPE Saves” campaign highlights real-life impact. We invite workers, employers, and safety professionals to share their experiences. Has PPE saved your life, prevented an injury, or improved your working conditions? Join the conversation and help raise awareness by sharing your story using #PPESaves.
