The 2026 PPE Pain Points Study shows more than 2 out of 3 employers have difficulty getting new workers to consistently follow proper protocols for personal protective equipment, according to Safety+Health magazine.
The study was a collaboration between the International Safety Equipment Association and J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. and surveyed 500 employers for feedback regarding the top challenges and trends related to PPE.
Nearly 70% of respondents represented employers from the manufacturing, construction and transportation industries. They said the top reasons workers do not use PPE properly is because the workers do not want to wear it (56%); do not think it is necessary (48%); and believe it makes the job more difficult (38%).
When buying PPE, more than 4 out of 5 respondents consider comfort the most important factor, followed by durability (79%) and cost (66%). Thirty-eight percent of respondents said sizing challenges have been a problem, especially for women.
Additionally, 10% of survey respondents said they use some types of PPE longer and/or select lower levels of protection in response to tariffs. The ISEA said a 10% reduction in PPE use could lead to 143 more workplace fatalities, nearly 47,000 additional injuries and a $2.2 billion cost to the economy.
Be sure to check out NRCA’s health and safety resources to help you protect your workers.
