Respondents qualifying to take the survey have responsibility for purchasing and/or managing PPE across a range of industries. The survey was fielded in October 2024.

Summary of Key Findings

• PPE Management Is Generally Strong.  Of those responding to the survey, 95% completely or somewhat have the time and resources needed to properly assess PPE needs, and 70% talk with their employees regularly about PPE.
• Getting Employees to Always Wear PPE Continues to Be a Challenge.  More than 75% of respondents reported that at least some of the time, they have difficulty getting employees to wear PPE.
• Durability is the Number One Criteria When Purchasing PPE.  More than one-third of respondents prioritize durability, followed by comfort, emphasizing the need for PPE that workers can and will consistently wear. 
• Challenges Occur in Finding PPE in Larger and Smaller Sizes.  While 75% of respondents have not experienced problems buying PPE in the sizes they need, those who have had issues find difficulty locating larger and smaller sizes.
• Weather Is a Consideration, but There’s More Opportunity Here. While 84% of respondents factor weather conditions into PPE purchases, there is a growing need for more education on selecting PPE optimized for extreme temperatures.
• Women’s Sizing Are Increasingly Considered. More companies are prioritizing PPE designed for women, though nearly one-third of respondents still face challenges in finding properly fitting options.
• Training Is a Challenge.  Nearly half of respondents struggle with training employees on critical PPE usage aspects, including when PPE is necessary, how to properly wear it, and its limitations.

“With the study, we examined PPE program development, purchase, training and compliance,” said Bob Larsen, Vice President of Research & Development with J. J. Keller. “We believe that understanding this 360-degree view of PPE pain points over time is important to continuous improvement as an industry.”

“Safety professionals are committed to protecting workers, but this research shows that persistent challenges remain—especially in compliance and training,” said Cam Mackey, President and CEO of ISEA. “By leveraging these insights, safety managers, manufacturers, and industry leaders can take meaningful steps to improve PPE programs, ensuring workers have access to properly fitting, high-quality PPE and are consistently trained to use it correctly.”

Both ISEA and J. J. Keller are dedicated to promoting worker safety. Through their collaborative efforts, they aim to enhance overall safety through education and outreach.