What’s Right in This Picture?
Who is this? And what happened to his face?!? This does not look right.
Meet Jacque Plante, the goaltender for the Montreal Canadian ice hockey team. In 1959, he was hit in the face with a puck, causing injuries. Yes, that is an occupational hazard. But back in those days, goaltenders did not always wear face masks. If you look at the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltenders today, they are all wearing face masks. And, looking at Jacque’s face and the blood on his sweater, we can see why face masks are important.
Goaltender face masks were available in 1959, but must not have been comfortable or practical, as they were not often worn. Jacque is credited with improving the style and design of the masks and producing face masks in fiberglass, making them easier to wear.
Why is that important to know and to include in a safety tip? Think about the PPE that you must wear on the job. It is required to be protective, sanitary, and fit well (29 CFR Part 1910.132). If it doesn’t fit well or isn’t comfortable, you might not want to wear it. When choosing PPE, include the ability of the PPE to fit well and be comfortable in your selection. You and your coworkers will be more likely to wear the PPE, just like hockey goaltenders were more likely to wear the more comfortable face mask.
Next time you are tempted to not wear your PPE, think of Jacque Plante and hockey goaltenders. It might convince you to put the PPE on.
Weekly Safety Challenge:
What PPE do you wear to get your job done? Discuss with your coworkers what hazards might be present that require you to wear the PPE, and how your PPE protects you.
