During National Safety Month, the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is reminding employers that workplace safety requires more than simply meeting minimum requirements when providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers.

For many employers, workplace safety starts with a straightforward goal: comply with regulations, provide appropriate PPE, and train workers to use it properly. Those fundamentals matter and always will.

But workplace safety is about more than meeting minimum requirements. New hazards emerge, technology advances, and lessons learned from workplace incidents continue to shape how workers can be better protected. At the same time, factors such as fatigue can undermine even the strongest safety programs.

As a result, employers can be fully compliant while still missing opportunities to improve protection and reduce risk.

When Compliance Isn’t Enough

Most employers assume that if PPE meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, it reflects the latest advances in worker protection. OSHA requirements and current safety standards do not always align.

OSHA establishes minimum safety requirements that employers must follow. Separately, organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and ISEA develop consensus standards for PPE that are regularly updated to reflect new research, improved testing methods, emerging hazards, and lessons learned from workplace incidents. These updates often occur more frequently than regulatory changes.

As a result, workers can be fully compliant with OSHA requirements while using equipment that does not reflect the most current version of the standard or the latest available protections.

Employers who want to go beyond the minimum can look to current ANSI/ISEA consensus standards as a benchmark for what up-to-date protection looks like.

The Hidden Impact of Fatigue

Even the most advanced PPE depends on workers using it correctly.

Fatigue contributes to thousands of workplace injuries each year. Long shifts, physically demanding work, extreme temperatures, staffing shortages, and repetitive tasks can all affect a worker’s ability to stay focused and make sound decisions.

The effects often appear in subtle ways. Safety glasses may be removed because they fog. Gloves come off to make a task easier. Workers rush through procedures at the end of a long shift.

In these situations, the equipment itself has not failed. The challenge is that fatigue makes it harder for workers to consistently follow the practices designed to protect them.

For this reason, PPE manufacturers continue focusing on comfort, fit, and wearability in addition to protection. Equipment that workers can comfortably wear throughout a shift is more likely to remain in place when it is needed most.

Raising the Bar

Workplace safety depends on more than checking a compliance box. As safety standards continue to evolve, employers should recognize that OSHA compliance does not always reflect the most current available protections. At the same time, even the most advanced PPE can only be effective when workers are alert, focused, and able to use it properly.

Whether it’s evaluating equipment against the latest consensus standards or addressing fatigue that can lead to mistakes and inconsistent PPE use, organizations have opportunities to strengthen protection beyond minimum requirements. Because preventing injuries requires attention not only to what workers wear, but also to the conditions under which they work.

For more information about workplace safety standards and personal protective equipment, click here.

Through a multi-week partnership running June 10 through July 19, Tork, an Essity brand is helping to bring four Hospitality Hub restrooms along Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway—creating a connected network designed to support the millions of visitors expected for Philadelphia’s semi quincentennial celebration.

Located in LOVE Park, Eakins Oval, Lemon Hill, and Logan Square, these strategically placed hubs provide convenient access to restrooms and hydration stations while highlighting the important role inclusive hygiene plays in creating a welcoming, accessible visitor experience for all. The initiative will support major events across the city during the summer and during America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

“Philadelphia is preparing to welcome the world, and creating a positive visitor experience starts with making people feel safe, comfortable and included,” said Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. “These Hospitality Hubs and hydration stations are an important part of how we support residents and visitors throughout the summer of special events.”

The partnership builds ongoing efforts to remove barriers to hygiene in public restrooms. Research from Tork shows that 44% of people feel anxious about using public restrooms, often shaping how they plan their daily activities and travel. These barriers can ultimately limit participation in public life and shared experiences.

“As Philadelphia prepares for the Philly250 celebration and a summer of major events, it’s important to recognize how access to inclusive hygiene can shape the visitor experience,” said Amy Bellcourt, Essity vice president of corporate communications, professional hygiene. “For many, access to a restroom can determine how long they stay, how comfortable they feel and whether they can fully participate in the festivities.”

Philadelphia’s summer celebrations are expected to draw national and international attention throughout 2026, positioning the city’s Hospitality Hubs as a key part of the visitor experience infrastructure. The initiative builds on broader efforts across the city to expand inclusive hygiene, including recent restroom upgrades at Lincoln Financial Field.