PPE is certified. It meets the standard. The label says it’s compliant.

So why do accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses still happen?

In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable truth: certification alone doesn’t guarantee protection. We talk about poor fit, wrong selection, human behaviour, workplace culture, procurement decisions, and the dangerous assumption that “certified = safe.”

If you’ve ever wondered why PPE fails after it passes testing — this episode is for you.

Real-world safety is messier than the lab. Let’s talk about it.

In this episode of PPE Quest, I’m joined by Rebekah McCutcheon, founder of Fit Test Australia, for an honest and eye-opening chat about all things respiratory protection.

We talk about:

• How fit testing started (badly) in Australia

• Why disposables are still everywhere—and why that’s a problem

• The ongoing battle with facial hair

• Quantitative vs qualitative fit testing

• The emotional side of the job (yes, really!)

• How one paramedic went from refusing a mask to praising it

• Why being a good fit tester takes more than just a machine

Rebekah brings both expertise and heart to the topic—and she doesn’t hold back. If you’ve ever asked “Do I reallyneed a fit test?”—this one’s for you.

She also shares what it’s like building a respiratory-focused business across Australia, her thoughts on PAPRs, and why she welcomes stricter regulations—even if it means putting herself out of business.

📍 Rebekah joins us from Sydney, where Fit Test Australia is raising the bar and challenging the status quo.

👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about PPE and safety culture.

🎙 Available on all major podcast platforms.

HR, PPE & the People Problem: A Surprisingly Fun Conversation with the Evil HR Lady

In this episode of PPE Quest, I’m joined by the one and only Suzanne Lucas, better known as the Evil HR Lady – a title she wears with a wink and a whole lot of insight.

We talk about:

✔️ Why HR and Safety are the departments everyone loves to hate

✔️ The truth behind performance improvement plans (PIPs) and safety training

✔️ Why clarity reduces stress – and how both HR and safety can provide it

✔️ Workplace culture, compliance, and that famous Coldplay concert incident 👀

✔️ The power of documentation, positive reinforcement, and planning for real life

✔️ And yes… pizza politics in the office 🍕

Whether you’re in HR, health & safety, or just curious why these roles matter more than ever – this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen, laugh, and learn.

🌐 Suzanne’s site: https://www.evilhrlady.org

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🙋‍♀️ About PPE Quest:

Your monthly dose of practical insight and unfiltered conversations from the world of PPE and workplace safety – hosted by Laura Dorman, Swiss-based safety consultant, trainer, and occasional stand-up comic.

In this conversation, I speak with Amy Roosa, founder of The Safety Rack, about the critical issues surrounding women’s safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) in various industries. We discuss the challenges women face in accessing properly fitting PPE, the importance of data in driving change, and the impact of political shifts on safety regulations.

Amy shares her journey in creating The Safety Rack, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the PPE equity gap for women.

Our conversation highlights the urgent need for awareness, advocacy, and action to ensure women’s safety is treated as a priority—not an afterthought—in the workplace.

In this episode of PPE Quest, I speak with Nathan Wilkinson Jones from 1974 Rapport about the critical role of face fit testing and respiratory protection in the workplace. We discuss the impact of facial hair on mask seal, the dangers of counterfeit PPE, and the shared responsibility of employers and workers in maintaining safety standards. Nathan shares practical insights from his experience, highlighting the importance of proper training, regular testing, and expert guidance when choosing PPE. If you’ve ever questioned how well your mask fits—or why it matters—this conversation is a must-listen.

Welcome to PPE Quest, the podcast where I make safety gear exciting, insightful, and maybe even a little funny! I’m Laura Dorman, a comedian and PPE enthusiast, and I’ll be diving into the world of Personal Protective Equipment with expert interviews, industry stories, and the quirks of staying safe on the job.

In this trailer episode, I’ll introduce what’s to come on PPE Quest and share a glove story—the fascinating history of the first rubber gloves. From skeptical surgeons to a love story that revolutionized hand protection, discover how one simple innovation changed PPE forever.

Subscribe now and join me on this ultimate safety gear adventure! 🦺🧤🎙️