Why Required PPE Still Isn't Being Worn On Oil & Gas Sites

Real-world barriers such as heat, poor fit, and fatigue can undermine even the strongest PPE programs

• By Jesse Verding
• Aug 04, 2026

In the oil and gas industry, PPE often serves as the first line of defense against some of the most serious hazards, including moving machinery, slips and falls, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Even though safety regulations and programs are in place, workers are not always compliant with PPE requirements on many job sites.

This disconnect raises an important question: if workers know the risks of not wearing PPE and employers require it, why is the gear not worn consistently?
The answer is often more complex than most might think. Although there is an enforcement component to PPE compliance, an increasing number of companies have learned that worker behavior has as much to do with the success of their PPE programs as safety regulations and policies do.

The Compliance Challenge

While many organizations have made great progress by formalizing safety programs, instituting mandatory PPE practices, and performing extensive training for their employees, safety professionals often run into a serious problem: an employee may have their PPE in place during inspections or other high-visibility activities, but they will remove it or modify it for comfort during a long shift or in adverse environmental conditions.

This presents an immense issue that must be addressed. Unfortunately, the oil and gas industry sees some of the highest injury rates on job sites across the country. In fact, a CDC analysis of OSHA's Severe Injury Reporting data showed that there were over 2,100 severe injuries resulting in hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye among oil and gas extraction workers between 2015 and 2022.

Why Workers Are Not Wearing PPE

Several factors contribute to inconsistent PPE use on oil and gas sites:

Heat Stress and Environmental Conditions

1. Workers in the oil and gas industry endure extreme hot and cold temperatures while performing their work. In the hot summer months, the wrong gear can cause heat stress, reduce airflow, or lead to fatigue.
2. Small comfort issues may seem minor at first, but can become increasingly pronounced over the course of a 10- to 12-hour shift as the temperature continues to rise. Unsurprisingly, workers will then take steps to alleviate their discomfort by adjusting the equipment to improve ventilation or removing it to remain comfortable and productive.

1. Poor Fit
1. One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work for today's workforce. PPE that is too large can create trip hazards and limit mobility. Equipment that is too small may restrict movement, create pressure points, or cause discomfort throughout the workday. Further, today’s workforce comprises both men and women; therefore, providing PPE in a range of sizes and body types that accommodate all workers is important for reducing safety risks and improving performance.

1. Comfort and Mobility
1. PPE made with breathable, lightweight materials will enhance functionality and encourage workers to use it.
2. Footwear, gloves, eye protection, and other forms of PPE can influence balance, dexterity, range of motion, and fatigue. Even relatively minor discomfort can become significant over extended shifts.

1. Lack of Worker Input
1. When workers are excluded from the PPE selection processes, organizations miss valuable insights into day-to-day challenges that affect compliance.

From Enforcement to Engagement

While traditional compliance strategies typically focus on rules and disciplinary measures to drive adoption, combining compliance enforcement with worker feedback may yield better long-term results.
Safety professionals should check in with employees to gather feedback on task-related challenges that might affect their ability to wear PPE. Safety professionals can also conduct site observations and look for situations where employees are modifying or removing PPE and why that might be occurring.
When workers believe their concerns are being heard and addressed, they will feel more comfortable participating in safety programs and following the requirements.

Building an Effective PPE Program

Organizations seeking to improve PPE compliance should consider these steps:

1. Evaluate gear under real working conditions, such as extreme temperatures and long shifts.
2. Incorporate worker feedback into the PPE selection process.
3. Train supervisors to identify barriers to compliance.
4. Reassess PPE programs based on workforce demographics, job demands, and job site conditions.

These measures help shift PPE programs from a compliance exercise to a worker-centered safety strategy.

Closing the Gap

Every PPE program must have safety policies in place, but those policies alone cannot protect workers. The most successful organizations recognize that human factors also drive compliance. By addressing issues such as fit, comfort, and heat stress, safety leaders can address barriers to the consistent use of PPE.
In an industry with many hazards and serious consequences, addressing the gap in real-world adoption presents one of the biggest opportunities to improve worker safety.