The construction site can be a dangerous place.
Now that probably does not come as a surprise to you; after all, there are a number of factors that contribute to construction safety risks on the job site.
However despite awareness of potential risks, many involved in construction trades don’t always take the proper precautionary steps to ensure site safety. One of the biggest avoidable risk factors is the lack or misuse of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Personal protective equipment is the last line of defense should standard site safety practices fail or another incident occur. Unfortunately, most injuries that result due to construction accidents could have been prevented or minimized by proper PPE.
As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring proper PPE is in use by your workers. While your workers may supply their own PPE, it is still your responsibility to ensure it meets safety standards.
4 Tips for Proper Personal Protective Equipment Use
Head Protection
There’s a lot going on at a construction site. Due to the constantly changing nature of a construction project, hardhats should should generally be worn at all times while on the job site.
Make sure you and/or your employees are adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe and effective use.
Hearing Protection
Pardon the pun, but hearing loss and damage are actually considered one of the ‘silent’ afflictions commonly faced by construction laborers. Some people wouldn’t consider loud noise to be physically damaging, but did you know that OSHA actually has prescribed noise-decibel levels that indicate safe occupational exposure.
Make sure you and your employees are wearing proper hearing protection if noise levels exceed safe exposure levels.
Eyes/Face Protection
Protection for the eyes and face is required on any job site where workers may be exposed to:
- flying particles
- molten metal
- liquid chemicals
- acids
- chemical gases and vapors
- light radiation.
Limb Protection
Proper gloves and footwear should be worn at all times on the construction site.
Keep in mind that their are different gloves for different trades and specific needs. Make sure when selecting gloves for a job, you not only find one that suits your needs, but also allows for a full range of grip and dexterity.
When it comes to footwear, steel-toe and composite-toe boots are a must-have on the construction site.