Gestión y control del uso de los elementos de protección personal en las obras de construcción desde la interventoría y supervisión

Abstract

The construction sector is recognized as one of the industries with the highest occupational risk levels due to the dynamic nature of its activities, the diversity of tasks, and the constantly changing work environments. In this context, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) plays a fundamental role in preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) represents one of the last lines of defense against hazards that cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled through other measures. However, its effectiveness largely depends on proper use, continuous monitoring, and strict compliance by workers. In Colombia, current regulations, such as Decree 1072 of 2015 and Resolution 0312 of 2019, establish the mandatory implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (SG-SST), which includes the proper management and control of PPE. Despite this regulatory framework, there are still significant gaps between compliance and actual practice on construction sites, particularly regarding the correct and consistent use of PPE. Within this framework, site supervision and technical auditing (interventoría) play a strategic role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations and promoting safe work practices. Their involvement is essential to monitor, control, and reinforce the proper use of PPE in real working conditions. This study aims to analyze the management and control of PPE usage in construction projects from the perspective of supervision and auditing, identifying existing weaknesses and proposing improvement strategies to strengthen safety culture and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the reduction of occupational accidents in the construction sector by promoting more effective supervision practices and reinforcing the importance of PPE as a key element in worker protection. Keywords: Personal protective equipment (PPE), occupational health and safety, construction sector, supervision, technical auditing, risk prevention, safety management system.