5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Safety Gear
Globally, one of the riskiest industries to work in is construction as an industrial or commercial contractor. Workers are constantly exposed to a wide range of physical, mechanical, ergonomic, and physical hazards.
Although the root causes of workplace injuries can include an unsafe environment and unsafe behavior, many times, injuries can be prevented with proper personal protective equipment.
At the end of the day, when it comes to safety, industrial and commercial contractors can't afford to take any chances.
PPE helps keep employees safe and protected from potential hazards in the workplace. It's essential that businesses have the proper PPE supplies and to make sure that the personal protection equipment is in good condition to ensure the safety of their employees.
Keep reading to discover the different types of PPE, how to choose a PPE supplier, and the five signs you need to upgrade your PPE supply.
What Is PPE?
PPE, or personal protective equipment, is a term that covers a wide range of clothing and accessories designed to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials and to keep them safe from slips, trips, and falls.
Although PPE is an essential component of keeping workers safe, it's important to remember that it's only effective when used correctly.
That's why workers need to receive proper training on how to use their PPE supply in addition to having updated equipment.
PPE for industrial and commercial contractors often includes items such as gloves, face masks, safety glasses, hard hats, knee pads, ear plugs, and even respirators, depending on the level of protection required.
However, with the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it can be challenging to find PPE suppliers to supply large quantities of the necessary equipment. As a result, many organizations have found it challenging to keep up with their workplace demands.
Types of PPE Supply
As briefly mentioned earlier, there are many types of PPE, and they all vary depending on the intended use. The five broad types of PPE equipment include:
Hearing protection such as earplugs and ear muffs
Respiratory protection such as dust masks, half and full-face respirators
Protective clothing such as gowns, gloves, and footwear
Eye and face protection such as face shields, safety glasses, and goggles
Head protection such as hard hats and bump caps
That said, when purchasing PPE supplies in bulk, it's important that you choose a supplier that's reputable and offers products that follow the latest safety standards.
How to Choose a PPE Supplier
Choosing the right PPE supplier is just as important as ensuring your equipment is upgraded and up to date. In addition to being a reputable company and being able to provide you with updated products, the supplier should also provide a wide variety of PPE items. That way, you can pick and choose the right type of equipment for your employees and their needs.
Finally, a good PPE supplier should provide you with a warranty on their products in the event there are any defects. This is especially important when you purchase PPE supplies in bulk.
Identifying the Right Time to Replace PPE
Unfortunately, there's no blanket answer as to when PPE gear should be upgraded or replaced. Some types of gear may not even show surface-level damage, even when it's time for a replacement.
PPE supplies can be costly, and replacing them too early can mean potential financial losses and wasted gear. However, the other side of the coin is risking injuries and even death if the equipment is replaced too late.
Establish Inspection Protocols
That's why the first step to identifying the right time to replace PPE supplies is to establish inspection protocols. The inspections can be conducted by assigning a few workers responsible for specific pieces of equipment.
Next, there's a defined audit period. This is when the inspectors will follow a process to identify potential failure points and damages before each shift or each time the equipment is handed out.
Signs You Need to Upgrade Your PPE Supply
During the audit period or the inspection, there are five key points or signs that they should watch for that signal a need to upgrade the PPE supply.
1. Check the Date
PPE must be constantly updated whenever there's a change to the latest safety standards. In most cases, if the PPE supply is more than a few years old, it will likely need to get upgraded.
In addition to updated safety standards, it's important for inspectors to keep track of how many owners a piece of equipment has had. That's because PPE supplies can wear quicker or slower depending on how often they've been used and how they're maintained.
2. Type of PPE
Even as a contractor in a specific niche like roofing, not every job will be the same. One might require specific equipment for one type of task, and another may be entirely different.
Consider the potential jobs you may be contracted out for and ensure your workers have the appropriate PPE supply on hand for when it's time.
3. Check the Fit
The third sign that your PPE supply may need to get upgraded is if it doesn't fit properly. At the end of the day, if the worker's PPE doesn't fit, then it won't be as effective.
While a slightly larger hard hat may not seem like a big deal, it can certainly lead to life-threatening injuries. For example, what if a worker had to climb a ladder with heavy equipment, and their hard hat kept bobbing over their eyes and covering their line of sight?
This could lead to potentially missing a step, losing their balance, and falling from the roof.
4. Check for Missing or Failing Components
In addition to a proper fit, inspectors should check for any missing or failing components. Depending on the type of equipment, missing components can include filters and fuel, while failing components include adapters, locks, straps, and even security devices.
If your PPE supplies show any sign of missing or failing components, they must be replaced immediately.
Additionally, the equipment used must almost always be replaced after an incident in the workplace. In very rare cases, the equipment can be retained.
The reason equipment must almost always be replaced after an incident is because the material has a high potential of being compromised, even without the presence of visible damage.
For example, if a hard object falls onto a hard hat, it must be replaced because the material may not be able to withstand another hard object falling onto it.
5. Check for Damage
Damage goes beyond material degradation or discoloration. Damaged PPE includes any signs of rips, tears, holes, indentations, cracks, or other types of visible damage.
It's also important to remember that unused equipment kept in storage for long periods may show signs of deterioration, even when it wasn't used a single time. However, even if it was unused, if it shows signs of any damage, it must be upgraded or replaced.
Set a Threshold
One way to guarantee your PPE supplies are up to date is to create a system for your inspectors. The most common and effective is a grading system that's applied to each individual type of PPE.
Grading systems are a quick and easy way to determine which PPE needs to be disposed of, replaced, fixed, or to be wary of. For example, if your inspectors are checking hard hats, they give them a grade of D. This can mean that it's worn and needs to be replaced immediately.
On the other hand, if they're checking safety gloves and give them a grade of B, it could mean that it's in good condition but needs to be checked more frequently than other equipment.
It's up to you and your inspectors to determine what each grade means and how the condition of each piece of equipment applies to specific jobs, environments, and tasks.
For example, on jobs where ear plugs are optional, it may be acceptable to use Grade B or Grade C gear. However, it's important to always use higher-grade gear on projects where materials and objects are in constant motion.
Be Consistent
Oftentimes, injuries occur as a result of human error or a lapse in judgment. Although it may feel repetitive and a hassle, consistent inspections are a necessary preventative measure when lives are on the line.
However, PPE supplies are only part of the safety equation. The truth is, they're only effective as long as they're being used correctly. Provide your workers with the proper training and updated PPE supply, and encourage them to wear the necessary gear at all times.
If you come across one of these signs on your next inspection, check out our shop for PPE supplies you can trust!