Demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) is high and still growing

WITH THE U.S. ECONOMY running on all cylinders and humming along pretty well, the positives are evident in so many sectors — particularly construction and manufacturing but also industries like oil and gas, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, transportation, warehousing, and distribution.

In a trickle-down effect, not only is business good to great in these sectors, the economic times are good for the companies that feed them the supplies to keep on building, producing, and getting products where they need to be.

Not surprisingly, a supply market doing really well — at home and abroad — is the one for personal protective equipment, or PPE. Most companies involved in construction, manufacturing, and other higher-risk operations have larger payrolls — thanks again to the robust economy — and a basic need to keep a greater number of workers safe from job-related hazards. On top of that, though, an increasing number of organizations are becoming much more proactive regarding employee health and safety.

According to a report produced by Zion Market Research and explored by Brooks In Beta, the global personal protective equipment market is expected to grow from a 2016 value of $39.37 billion in U.S. dollars to approximately $57.12 billion by 2022.

Personal protective equipment consists of garments and gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses. The hazards might be chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or motorized in nature. The PPE might be gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests, and full body suits.

PPE typically is worn or required to be worn at the workplace in many industries, but increasingly people are buying safety gear for use at home and for personal emergency situations.

The most common categories for PPE are head protection, eye and face protection, hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, protective footwear, hand protection, fall protection, and safety identification (reflective vests and other kinds of high-visibility garments).

As a complete provider of safety training, services, consultation, and gear, Safety Solutions & Supply carries a wide selection of quality personal protective equipment in the retail store at company headquarters in Mulberry, Fla. All of the items meet or exceed federal safety standards for commercial PPE. For details, visit the store website or call toll-free at 1-866-537-2262.