With the help of industrial analysis, Kavita Nigam helps us foresee various aspects of Personal protection equipment sector by this decade 

 

The demand for personal protection equipment (PPE) in modern ages is of utmost importance in the league to minimize the risk of serious injuries from either contact with radiological and chemical substances, or mechanical, electrical and other workplace hazards. The alacrity at which occupational hazards are plaguing the system makes PPE a requirement in diverse industries such as construction, automotive, chemical, medical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, steel & fabrication, etc. Yet, the market is known to be highly fragmented, with a great deal of hurdles to overcome before complete adoption of mandatory safety norms takes place. The present regulatory environment is working full time in helping the industry grow, focusing on workers’ health and safety issues. The dynamics of PPE market can be further studied as under:

 

Challenges to face

One of the prime challenges is the need to educate the consumer regarding correct usage of a PPE for maximum benefit, the wearer must be trained to use the PPE correctly so as to get the required safety the product has to offer. More often than not, it is the incorrect usage of the PPE that results in accidents to occur. For example, an ill-fitting earplug, due to lack of understanding regarding how to use an ear-plug correctly, will result in definitive loss of hearing, if subjected to long exposure to harmful levels of noise. Similarly, incorrect usage of life-saving PPE like fall arrest lanyards, full body harnesses, etc, can infact cause more damage than good. Hence, the need to reach out training to the user is of prime concern. 

 

Secondly, it is a challenge to provide the right PPE which is specifically focussed to combat a certain hazard. Not all PPE are effective against all hazards at work place. From the vast range of PPE that is available in the market, it is imperative that only the right product is chosen for usage. For example, using a dust mask will not provide the required safety in an environment that has chemical vapours and fumes. Safety shoes meant for usage in the construction industry will be ineffective in the areas where the hazard is from oil and chemical spillage. It hence goes without saying that it is a challenge to continually update the consumer on both the hazards at work place and the different PPE that can combat those hazards.

 

Besides this, it is also a challenge to educate the consumer regarding the correct PPE conforming to the right norms, vis-a-vis cheap substitutes in the market. It is important for the consumer to differentiate between various products offered in the market on the basis of their compliance to the latest defined norms. The safety norms should be considered not just for the sake of their compliance, but also that the requirements laid out in their most recent versions are also met. The reason for the norms being dynamic is that they are regularly updated to provide only the best in safety and ergonomics to the user. It goes without saying that companies which manufacture products as per out-dated norms compromise on the minimum safety requirements, and hence provide cheaper substitutes to the rightful product. It is hence a challenge to educate the consumer to make the right choice between the price he would pay for complete safety, against what is offered as mere compliance at a cheaper rate.

 

Changes observed

 The market is changing towards more trendy looks of the product, and not just providing the safety levels. Which means, that the market is slowly being driven not just by safety requirements, but also by fashion and catchy looks of the product. The consumer today, is looking for safety eyewear that not only provides him safety, but is also smart and stylish in looks. Similarly, safety shoes have also moved from the usual sturdy work-wear looks to more light weight and sporty looking shoes. 

 

Another change observed is the need that PPE should provide the required levels of comfort as well, and not just the required safety, so that they can be used for longer duration. The focus, while being definitely on safety and standards of the product, is now becoming broader to include how the PPE is more comfortable and easy to use. This enables longer usage of the PPE, and hence ensures compliance at all times. The products are now being offered with enhanced features of comfort and ergonomics to the user. For example, safety helmets are now featuring provisions like sweat bands and ventillation slits, besides providing a sturdy shell for safety.

 

Demands

Training for hazard identification and correct PPE to combat the hazard is in rising demand. Research suggests that in India, with the regulatory requirements being reinforced and increased awareness of safety, more need for training has risen in the field of PPE and work-place hazard identification. More and more industries are opting to see the expenditure in training as an investment towards worker safety. And safety trainings are offered both in facilities that provide workplace simulations as well as onsite.

 

Additionally, the market is also demanding more holistic safety solutions, and not just looking at providing PPE. PPE experts are looked up to provide both engineering solutions that provide collective safety alongwith the necessary PPE solutions for general safety compliance. It is therefore imperative that the manufacturer is aware of the changing conditions in which the consumer works, and is also aware of the regulatory norms that govern the area. The need is also moving towards shops that provide one-stop solutions covering head to toe of the safety need, be it whichever industry, like construction, telecommunications, oil and gas, etc.

 

Growth projection

As per recent survey, PPE market size globally was worth over $37 billion in 2015, with gains expected at above 7% by 2023. According to the veritable 'India personal protection equipment market forecast & opportunities, 2020' report, the market for PPE in India is forecast to witness a CAGR of over 14% during 2015-20. Yet the market is currently in its nascent stage due to lack of awareness about workforce health and safety. 

 

Hand protection equipment continues to hold the court for majority of the revenue share in the country’s personal protection equipment market. One can notice a boost in terms of demand through wide applications across industries coupled with low equipment cost. Other emerging trends include upward e-commerce, healthcare, commencement of industry specific personal protection equipment and a rising number of international companies making their foray into India.

 

Construction is proposed to be the fastest-growing end-use industry segment of PPE market during the forecast period, primarily due to the ever increasing demand for personal protective equipment in the construction activities such as bridge erection, residential construction, roadway paving, demolitions, and excavations, among others. This segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Asia Pacific region during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to many government-driven projects that are taking up India by storm. These projects include construction of new airports, sewer systems, and bridges for railways networks. Healthcare sector is also predicted to be a booming market for personal protection equipment, owing to the recent spate of increasing communicable diseases such as H1N1, Ebola, etc.

 

To sum it all up, the market may have its share of uphill graph, but this can surely be countered with proactive measures.

 

Kavita Nigam has an experience of more than 15 years in KARAM,  and currently holds the designation of General Manager - HR and Publicity & Promotion, for KARAM Industries.