Study Reveals Ongoing Obstacles to Workplace Safety Gear Compliance
New research shows companies struggle with employee buy-in, comfort and proper fit for female workers.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 27, 2026
A new study examining workplace safety programs reveals that getting employees to properly wear protective equipment remains a significant hurdle for employers nationwide.
The International Safety Equipment Association and the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights released their annual collaborative report analyzing how organizations manage PPE. The report tracks trends and challenges across multiple industries and business sizes.
According to the data, more than two-thirds of surveyed organizations report that they struggle to get employees to consistently wear required safety gear. While comfort and durability remain the top criteria for purchasing equipment, 17% of companies still face obstacles finding gear that fits all workers properly. This issue disproportionately affects female workers, with 38% of organizations reporting difficulties securing well-fitting PPE for women.
The research also points to a disconnect between employers and frontline staff during the purchasing process. Employee involvement in selecting safety gear remains limited, even though evidence indicates that worker input increases overall comfort, acceptance and consistent use on the job.
Internal company culture further compounds these safety gaps. Roughly 51% of the organizations surveyed noted that inconsistent rule enforcement and uneven communication regarding safety expectations hinder their programs. Furthermore, high-tech adoption remains stagnant, with only 5% of organizations utilizing connected or sensor-enabled smart PPE.
The authors of the study noted that the findings emphasize the human element of workplace safety. They suggested that the data can help safety managers identify necessary programmatic changes to improve equipment utilization and reduce on-the-job injuries.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.