Spring is a season of fresh starts. That should include reviewing your workplace safety gear. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is a crucial part of protecting workers from injury and illness, but like any equipment, it has a shelf life. Cracks, wear, exposure to heat or chemicals, and even poor storage conditions can reduce its effectiveness long before it visibly breaks down.
As job sites become more active in the spring months, now is the right time to take a hard look at your PPE inventory and assess whether it’s still safe to use. But replacing PPE is only part of the story. It’s also important to make sure workers are physically fit and medically cleared to use it safely. With a full range of occupational health and employer services, MedPhysicals Plus helps companies take a comprehensive approach to workplace safety that aligns perfectly with your spring review.
Why PPE Needs to Be Inspected and Replaced Regularly
Over time, even durable safety gear degrades. Materials like plastic, rubber, and fabric break down when exposed to sunlight, moisture, temperature shifts, or chemicals. Protective equipment that looks fine on the surface may no longer offer the protection it once did.
Spring is a perfect time to schedule a full review of all PPE, especially after the winter months when gear may have been stored away, used in harsh weather, or forgotten altogether.
Manufacturers often provide replacement guidelines. For example, hard hats typically need to be replaced every five years from the date of manufacture, even if they look undamaged. High-visibility clothing can lose its reflectivity after multiple washes. Respirator filters can expire. If your team is using any PPE that has been pushed past its recommended use, it’s time to replace it.
Key Signs That PPE Should Be Replaced Immediately
When evaluating your PPE, there are several red flags that should lead to immediate replacement. If a hard hat has visible cracks or has sustained any kind of impact, it should not be reused. Respirators that fail to maintain a tight seal, have worn-out straps, or have expired filters must be replaced. Eye protection with scratched lenses can reduce visibility and create safety risks. Gloves that have lost grip, show signs of chemical damage, or have torn seams are no longer reliable.
Any safety gear that has been exposed to hazardous substances, improperly stored, or has missing parts should be removed from service right away. Keeping damaged PPE in circulation puts workers at serious risk and can lead to regulatory violations.
The Role of Occupational Health in PPE Use
Having the right safety gear is important, but so is making sure workers are fit to use it. For example, OSHA requires a medical evaluation before anyone wears a tight-fitting respirator. At MedPhysicals Plus, we provide respirator medical evaluations and fit testing to confirm both medical clearance and proper seal.
Some PPE adds physical strain. That’s why we also offer physical abilities testing to make sure employees can safely perform their jobs while wearing protective gear. Our employee health services, DOT exams, and audiology testing further support a safe, compliant workforce.
These services go hand in hand with PPE checks, making sure your team is protected and prepared.
Make Spring a Season of Safety
Spring cleaning should not stop at the supply closet. Replacing worn-out PPE and confirming that your employees are fit to use it are two critical steps in building a safer workplace. A simple gear inspection, combined with up-to-date medical evaluations and fit testing, can prevent injuries and keep your team in compliance with OSHA standards.
MedPhysicals Plus helps employers across industries create safer environments through expert occupational health services. Contact MedPhysicalsPlus to schedule respirator fit testing, physical abilities evaluations, occupational health exams, or compliance screenings. We help you protect your workforce from the inside out.