The Power of Choice in AR/FR Clothing Programs
Looking to increase employee compliance and comfort? It might be time to leave your “no-choice” program in the past.
- By Barb Fitzgeorge
- May 01, 2023
Even when we recognize a requirement is in our best interest, it’s human nature to resist being told what to do. However, when people have options—even when all those options meet specific requirements—they are more likely to comply, be comfortable and be satisfied. The same goes for arc-rated and flame resistant (AR/FR) clothing and PPE programs.
Unfortunately, to meet safety requirements as quickly and (seemingly) inexpensively as possible, employers often dictate a single AR/FR shirt and pant combination in a single fabric, weight, style and color. This rigid offering is best known as a “no-choice” program, which leads to a variety of issues:
- Workers not wearing PPE at all or not wearing it properly
- Workers not properly maintaining clothing out of resentment
- Reduced productivity due to discomfort and diminished morale
- High investment of management’s time administering and fielding complaints related to the clothing program
Luckily, these problems have a realistic solution that improves compliance, comfort, access to innovation, morale and cost: offer employee-level product choice through a managed AR/FR clothing program. Learn all the benefits companies reap when they put the power of choice in the hands of their employees.
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.