The problem
While PPE plays a necessary role in managing risk, it sits at the lowest level of the hierarchy of controls and has limited inherent effectiveness. That effectiveness drops even further when PPE is not worn, worn incorrectly, or inappropriate for the hazard. Clearly, failure to use PPE reduces these benefits and puts workers at higher risk.
Employers across NZ consistently struggle to get workers to use PPE reliably. Correct PPE usage isn’t simply a matter of enforcing rules; it requires providing the right equipment, explaining the underlying hazards, offering practical training, ensuring easy access, monitoring use, and addressing issues constructively.
Implementing a PPE Turnaround
Transforming a workplace culture from poor PPE compliance to operational excellence relies on key cultural and practical levers. Therefore, tackling failure to use PPE demands leadership at every level.
| Aspect | From Poor Practice | To Excellent Practice |
| Address the Culture | Acceptance of inconsistent use or misuse. | Non-compliance is recognized as unacceptable. Visitors are denied access without correct gear, and workers are stood down or retrained when necessary. PPE holds a high profile in onboarding. |
| Select what will work AND be worn | PPE is purchased in bulk—leading to incorrect sizing, poor fit, lack of durability, and equipment not fit for purpose. | Workers participate in selecting comfortable, task-specific PPE that fits well and integrates with other safety gear. Expert advice is brought in for specialist equipment. |
| Education – teach how it works and how to use | Generic online training with no practical demonstration. | Face-to-face demonstrations, formal fit testing, and hands-on practice are integrated into inductions and regular team briefings. |
| Accountability – make it everyone | PPE issues are ignored until an incident occurs. | Supervisors actively monitor daily PPE use, address issues early, and model good safety behavior. Incidents, observations, and worker feedback actively drive continuous improvement. |
| Maintenance – keep PPE in good order | Damaged or worn PPE remains in service. | Regular inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and prompt replacement protocols are built directly into operating procedures. |
| Worker Involvement – improve outcomes by involving the end user | Procurement and usage decisions are made without consulting frontline workers. | Workers regularly provide feedback and participate directly in PPE trials and safety reviews. |
Case Study: Hazeldine Construction
When WorkSafe issued an improvement notice regarding airborne risk management, Hazeldine Construction re-evaluated their Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) systems. This action was in response to failure to use PPE properly and consistently on site.
| Aspect | Implementation at Hazeldine Construction |
| Culture | Shifted RPE from a minor expectation to a core component of normal, safe work, resulting in an observable behavioral shift where safe practices became the cultural norm. |
| Selection | Trialed multiple mask shapes and options from different suppliers to ensure proper individual fit across the team. |
| Education | Introduced mandatory annual fit testing, one-on-one training sessions, and ongoing practical workshops. |
| Accountability | Shifted focus from merely handing out masks to actively managing RPE understanding and correct daily usage. |
| Maintenance | Trained workers to identify dirty or saturated filters and know precisely when to replace them. |
| Worker Involvement | Used worker feedback to guide equipment selection, including providing a positive-pressure power hood for a worker with a beard. |
Full case study details are published on the WorkSafe Hazeldine Construction Case Study.
Further Resources & Support
- Research: For detailed academic research on organisational PPE usage and behavior change, view the study published at DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.3.0874. Above all, failure to use PPE cannot be overlooked in research and in practice.
- Workplace Assistance: For guidance on building and executing a tailored PPE strategy or fit-testing framework for your business contact the Winsland team or give us a call on 021 070 6199.