2026 PPE Pain Points Study Reveals Employer Compliance Struggles

Survey Findings on PPE Protocol Adherence

Arlington, VA — More than 2 out of 3 employers struggle to get workers to consistently follow proper protocols for personal protective equipment, according to the 2026 PPE Pain Points Study. Researchers asked 500 employers for feedback on the top challenges and trends related to PPE. The study, now in its fourth year, was a collaboration between the International Safety Equipment Association and J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. Nearly 70% of the respondents represented employers from the manufacturing, construction and transportation industries.

The top reasons why workers don’t use PPE properly, respondents said, are that they don’t want to wear it (56%), they don’t think it’s necessary (48%), and they believe it makes the job more difficult (38%).

Key Purchasing Priorities

More than 4 out of 5 of the respondents consider comfort the most important factor when buying PPE, followed by durability (79%) and cost (66%). Sizing challenges, specifically for women, have been an issue for 38% of the respondents.

Tariff Effects on Programs

Two-thirds of the respondents indicated that tariffs didn’t lead to changes to their PPE programs. However, 10% said they use some types of PPE longer and/or select lower levels of protection in some cases in response to tariffs.

National PPE Reliance Context

According to ISEA, a 10% reduction in PPE deployment could result in 143 more workplace fatalities, nearly 47,000 additional injuries and a $2.2 billion cost to the economy. The study notes that more than 125 million workers nationwide rely on PPE and safety equipment. “Protection only works when equipment is worn correctly and consistently,” ISEA President and CEO Cam Mackey said. This study highlights where PPE programs are making progress and where additional focus is needed to better support workers and improve real-world safety outcomes, according to Safety+Health Magazine.