Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Home Inspectors

One morning in 1991, a Tennessee power lineman drove to work expecting another routine Monday. His first job of the
day: Cut down a three-wire voltage system with a residential connection. He’d performed this task more times than he
could count. However, one small mistake in his work attire transformed an ordinary Monday into a life-altering
experience. He was not wearing gloves designed for handling high-voltage electricity.

The lineman touched an energized overhead conductor with more than 13,200 volts of electricity, causing him to lose
both hands.

This former lineman’s name is Lee Shelby. Thirty years after his accident, Shelby is an internationally recognized
motivational speaker who shares his story with today’s employees and teaches the value of workplace
safety—notably, the value of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Home Inspectors and PPE

Inspecting homes is a dangerous job. From slippery roofs to aggressive animals, rotted subflooring to electrical
exposures, the average home inspector encounters countless perils during their career. Even though Shelby wasn’t a
home inspector, many in this industry can relate to his message: No inconvenience is worth more than your life. And
taking the right precautions, like wearing personal protective equipment, can mean the difference between a serious
injury and a normal Monday.

In this article, we consider the most popular types of PPE that home inspectors use and experts recommend. We also
discuss environmental conditions that often prompt wearing PPE and ways to manage risk while doing so.

What is PPE?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines PPE as “equipment worn to minimize exposure to
hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.” Per OSHA’s definition, this article excludes any
equipment—like flashlights, ladder tie-offs, caution signs, and insulated screwdrivers—that isn’t worn as
a protective covering.

According to our research, some of the most popular types of PPE for home inspectors include:

1. Coveralls

Coveralls offer full-body protection from biological, chemical, and electrical dangers. In addition to keeping
harmful substances away from your skin, coveralls also reduce the likelihood of tracking dirt into your home or the
client’s home. Some home inspectors choose to wear coveralls in attics and crawl spaces.

2. Eyewear

Covering your eyes reduces your risk of eye injuries and diseases. For many workers, this is common knowledge.

Even so, nearly 45% of head injuries that cause work absences come from eye-related injuries, writes HexArmor in their
blog post “Workplace eye injury statistics – Don’t be one of them.” Furthermore, Hexmore writes, 300,000 workers end up
in the emergency room each year due to occupational eye injuries. On top of that, 90% of these injuries could have been
prevented with well-fitted and comfortable eyewear.

Among the many environmental factors that sealed, splash-proof goggles can protect against:

• Mold spores or sawdust in the air,
• Sparks from electrical panels,
• Liquids, like chemicals or sewage, that can splash into the eyes,
• Smoke and other gases, and
• Moving or falling debris, like wet or dry cement
• powder, glass, metal, or fiberglass.

Some eyewear provides better security than others. Safety glasses are the most common and best protection against smaller particles, according to “Eye Protection: A Basic Understanding of the OSHA Standard,” available online. As mentioned earlier, goggles, when fit snugly against the face and with appropriate venting and anti-fog coating, are better for deflecting splashes, sprays, and other liquids. Some inspectors even wear face shields to protect themselves against electrical exposures.

3. Headgear

Headgear helps prevent trauma to the brain, scalp, or skull caused by falling, flying, or low-hanging objects, as well as electrical exposures, OSHA explains in “OSHA Fact Sheet: Personal Protective Equipment,” available online.

Home inspectors have two options for protective headgear: bump caps and hard hats. Bump caps look like baseball caps with plastic inserts on the inside. As the name suggests, these hats are ideal for workers prone to bumps and scrapes. Some inspectors prefer them for crawl spaces and attics with low-hanging beams and protruding objects like nails. However, they do not offer the same level of protection as hard hats.

4. Respirators

OSHA mandates properly fitted respirators for workers exposed to contaminated air. Some contaminants—like harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays—put workers at risk of lung cancers, diseases, and even death, according to OSHA.

Mike Leggett of the BrickKicker of Georgia believes respirators are essential for him and his inspector employees.

“Getting a proper respirator is critical,” Leggett said. “Repeatedly breathing contaminated crawl space air will take a cumulative toll on your body. Our inspectors are forbidden from entering an attic or a crawl space without a proper respirator and headlamp.”

5. Gloves and Pads

Depending on the space they’re inspecting and the SOP they follow, some inspectors find gloves more useful than others.

For example, an inspector may put on gloves before entering an attic to protect their skin from harsh surfaces, cuts from nails and other sharp objects, and temperature extremes. Additionally, crawl spaces are especially infamous for mold, sewage, animal carcasses, fecal matter, and other substances inspectors wouldn’t want to touch with bare hands.

It’s essential to match the equipment to the hazard. Elbow, forearm, and knee pads worn underneath coveralls, or even padded forearm gloves, provide extra cushioning and reduce damage while crawling. Insulated rubber gloves can protect your hands from electrical injuries, depending on their voltage rating, according to OSHA’s electrical hazards manual, available online. Meanwhile, inspectors more concerned about moderate heat, cuts, or burns may opt for leather gloves.

6. Footwear

As Marilyn Monroe famously said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” It turns out the quote also applies to home inspectors.

A good pair of shoes can make a big impact, especially when you work on your feet all day. Proper footwear minimizes foot infections, injuries, and conditions like bunions; improves posture; offers additional support; reduces foot pain; and protects you in hazardous work conditions, explains the nonprofit Soles4Souls in their blog article “Life Without Shoes: A Look at the Benefits of Shoes.” Furthermore, under OSHA regulations, employers may be required to provide and ensure the use of protective footwear.

The safety education website realsafety.org shares the following considerations for foot safety:

• Falling materials? Consider steel-toed boots.
• Worried about stepping on sharp objects, like nails? Look for thick, heavy-duty soles.
• Possibility of electrical dangers? Choose non-conducive shoes made from materials like rubber.
• Frequently climb ladders and slippery surfaces? Properly fitting shoes with good traction can prevent slips and falls.
• Live in a cold state with frequent rain and snow? Waterproof and insulated shoes help inspectors stay healthy while working in frigid temperatures.

Managing Risk with PPE

Whether you’re a solo inspector, inspecting for another business, or managing a multi-inspector firm, selecting—or not selecting—the right PPE can open you up to risk. Below we offer suggestions for limiting your liability.

Educate and communicate.

If you own a multi-inspector firm, you need to educate your inspectors about PPE and communicate its importance. In their handout “Employers Must Provide and Pay for PPE,” available online, OSHA suggests:

• Identifying PPE that’s appropriate for the job,
• Making sure employees have and wear this PPE,
• Re-evaluating their PPE’s effectiveness and updating as necessary, and
• Training employees on appropriate use and maintenance.

As an employer, understanding these standards helps keep your employees safe, happy, and productive. Also, if an employer neglects to purchase mandated PPE for their staff, and their negligence results in an inspector’s illness, injury, or death, a negligence claim could lead to a lawsuit. Furthermore, this familiarity keeps employees aware of their rights and what’s expected of them.

Even if you’re a sole proprietor and not required to follow OSHA regulations, inspectors should familiarize themselves with them to stay safe on the job. To best manage your risk, stay up-to-date on OSHA’s reference and reading materials to verify your compliance with workplace safety standards. Know what the standards mean and how they apply to you. Visit OSHA’s website to learn more about the resources available to small employers.

Perform routine equipment inspections.

“Like humans, personal protective equipment has a life expectancy,” wrote Marianne Wait in a United Rentals’ article “How to Inspect Your PPE,” available online.

PPE is only safe and effective when it’s in good condition. As such, inspectors should routinely check their equipment for signs of weathering and damage. These visual inspections will help you decide when to repair your PPE or replace it entirely.

Read your manufacturer’s recommendations to learn what you should be looking for.

Prioritize safety over convenience.

In his blog post “Don’t Forget Your PPE,” Mike McFadden of Hero Inspection Services in Florida acknowledges that wearing PPE can be frustrating. Inspectors may feel pressure to remove their PPE so they can perform the inspection faster. However, in doing so, these inspectors open themselves up to undue risk.

“Don’t take [PPE] off until the work is done,” McFadden writes. “Most PPE is inconvenient and sometimes also uncomfortable. It might be tempting to take them off just to get the job done quicker. But many times, that is when injuries happen.”

Rushing also means you’re more likely to make mistakes. Follow McFadden’s advice and avoid speeding through your inspections and reports. After all, your long-term well-being will always be more important than a short-term inconvenience.

If you own a multi-inspector firm, be prepared in case your employees push back. One of the best ways you can combat employees’ resistance to PPE policies is to lead by example. By debunking common PPE myths, maintaining open communication, and sticking to your policies, you can protect your team and your business from unnecessary risk.

Carry workers’ compensation insurance.

If you or one of your home inspectors is injured during an inspection, workers’ compensation benefits may be available to you.

Workers’ comp insurance provides employees who suffer from work-related injuries or diseases with access to medical and wage benefits. Unlike general liability (GL) insurance, which covers inspection-related bodily injury and property damage claims for non-employees, workers’ compensation looks out for you and the people who work for your company.

“One accident can not only hurt you and maybe put you out of business, but more importantly that employee has to have a way of making a living and getting his bills paid for if it happens on the job,” said Alan Grubb of 4U Home in Maryland.

By covering job-related injury and illness costs, workers’ comp protects both employees and employers. And employees work under less financial risk knowing they have on-the-job protection. Additionally, employers limit their liability and deter litigation.

“If you have any employees, they need to have workman’s comp,” Grubb said. “The amount that it costs for workman’s comp is minor [compared] to what it could cost you or your employee if you didn’t have it.”

Protect Yourself with PPE and Workers’ Comp

Do your part to abide by state law and protect your employees and your business by carrying workers’ compensation insurance. And do so with a company prepared to meet the inspection industry’s unique coverage needs.

Get a quote for workers’ comp for home inspectors today by completing an application with InspectorPro Insurance. Or you can learn more about workers’ comp by reading InspectorPro’s article “Workers’ Comp for Home Inspectors: Everything You Need to Know,” available online.

Opinions or statements of authors are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents, or editors. Always check with your local governmental agency and independently verify for accuracy, completeness, and reliability.