The Importance of Wearing Construction PPE Gear
Nobody looks forward to a construction site injury or accident. However, running a construction site can be dangerous, and it's always best to be prepared.
The primary goal of any construction site is to get its work done safely and on time. Construction PPE goes a long way toward helping keep workers guarded against work hazards.
Some workers aren't convinced that PPE is absolutely necessary for construction, but hopefully this article will change your mind. Here are the benefits of construction PPE and the importance of wearing it at the jobsite.
The Dangers of Not Wearing Construction PPE Gear
To understand why not wearing construction PPE is dangerous, we need to discuss what counts as construction site hazards. Some of the more obvious dangers are falling objects and flying debris.
Vehicle collisions and impacts from other construction equipment also qualify as potential hazards. Limb, head, and eye injuries are likely if someone gets hit with objects, construction vehicles, or debris in these areas.
Any object that can cause severe damage from a physical collision is something you should be on guard for at the work site. There's also the matter of where your construction site is and when you're working.
Many jobs go on well into the night or begin in the early hours of the morning. Some construction work takes place underground, where light is nonexistent. Darkness is hazardous because accidents can easily happen in low visibility.
Other jobs may take place in environments where the air itself is harmful.
You're probably aware you shouldn't breathe in lead, asbestos, fiberglass, plaster dust, or corrosive chemicals. Respiratory PPE helps keep dangerous substances from harming you.
Electrical shocks and loud noises are other construction site hazards. Exposure to electricity may cause heart complications, and loud noises may eventually lead to hearing and neurological complications.
The Importance of Construction PPE Gear in Preventing Injury
You can sum up the dangers of not using construction PPE by saying, "You open yourself to harm merely by going to work." Anything can happen on the job, and it's also important to know what role PPE plays in preventing injury.
You Can Prevent Long-Term Conditions
Hearing loss is prevalent among construction workers, suffered by approximately three out of four workforce members. We know that loud noises and vibrations can lead to hearing loss.
But did you know there is even a form of hearing loss called ototoxicity caused by exposure to certain chemicals? Many of you have likely heard of mesothelioma - a form of cancer caused by asbestos fibers.
Workers in naval shipyards should be particularly diligent in wearing their PPE.
The Navy used asbestos in ships and submarines because it's heat and corrosion-resistant. There is still a risk of some workers suffering exposure to asbestos.
Hearing loss and mesothelioma are just two long-term conditions construction PPE can mitigate. Prevention is the most sure-fire way to ensure you don't suffer chronic damage from construction site injury.
PPE Prepares You for the Worst
Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. It's why you should always wear your seatbelt, even if you're driving to the local grocery store. The same logic applies to PPE for construction.
If you're already wearing the protective gear, you're ready for anything that may happen. Your PPE can help you walk away without harm. If nothing else, wearing protective gear can at least lessen the amount of injury.
Workers Will Look and Feel Professional
Aesthetics aren't the first thing most people have in mind when equipping construction PPE. Fair enough, but you can't deny the boost a professional appearance may have on your company.
When people see workers decked out in personal protective gear, they'll think they're professionals that care about workplace safety. Appearances also help boost morale.
The great thing about PPE is not only will workers feel more professional, but they'll also have protection from workplace hazards.
PPE Is a Legal Requirement
OSHA requires that workplaces provide PPE that passes the American National Standard Institutes' (ANSI) conformity standards. ANSI ensures uniformity among construction gear and procedures regardless of the business.
Simply put - you have to give workers PPE that meets safety regulatory standards. Work provided construction PPE has to protect workers from:
Physical harm
Radiological harm
Chemical harm
Electrical harm
Mechanical harm
The PPE must shield workers' eyes, heads, faces, and extremities. We'll go into the specific kinds of protective construction gear later, but earmuffs (or plugs) and hard hats are required types of PPE.
Protective gear must be issued free of charge, and the employer is responsible for ensuring its in working order. An employer doesn't have to provide items like non-specialized work boots and long-sleeved shirts.
Employers are still liable for ensuring PPE workers provide themselves is suitable for the job. Part of the legal requirement is to assess workplace hazards and train workers on how to use PPE.
Types of Construction PPE Gear
Every job won't require the same types of PPE. A few things should stay constant regardless of the work site, though. All PPE for construction work needs to fit each worker properly.
The gear should still be comfortable enough for employees to move around. Below is a list of personal protective equipment you should see on every construction worksite.
Hard Hats
Hard hats protect from the aforementioned falling objects. Hard hats keep swinging items and hitting your head against things while you work. You can protect against electrical habits as well.
You should inspect hard hats for cracks, chips, and dents. Don't ever use a damaged hat before stepping on a construction site. Damage can compromise the usefulness of hard hats.
Contact with a powerful striking force can further damage the hat and open wearers to danger.
Hand Protection
There are different kinds of work gloves to suit whatever work is happening. Heavy-duty leather and canvas protect from cuts and burns. Chemical-resistant gloves keep you safe from chemical hazards.
Welder's gloves specialize in keeping your hands protected while welding. Insulated gloves protect your hands from electrical dangers on the job. Do not use the wrong kind of gloves for a particular task.
For example, don't wear chemical gloves if you're welding; use your welder's gloves.
Face and Eye Protection
There's a good chance there's flying debris and dust on the worksite. Eye and face construction PPE keep your eyes and face safe from injury.
Welding, cutting, nailing, and grinding are just a few activities that present danger to your facial region. Eye and face protection include safety goggles, welding masks, face shields, and chemical splash goggles.
Foot Protection
When most people think of foot protection, they probably think of steel-toe boots. Steel toes are helpful, but your shoes should also be slip and puncture-resistant.
Shoes with electrical and heat resistance are good on work sites where crews work with electricity or around heated objects.
Hearing Protection
Noises louder than 70dB can start damaging your hearing over long periods. A chainsaw can get as loud as 120dB. Other construction tools like jackhammers and cement cutters can cause hearing damage.
Most people use pre-molded and moldable earplugs to protect their hearing. Tightly sealed foam-filled earmuffs can keep out loud noise.
Work Shirts and Pants
Work clothing shouldn't be loose as it could get caught on moving parts or items around the site. The clothes should still have enough mobility that construction workers can comfortably move.
Work pants and shirts must be thick enough to protect from cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Reflective and High Visibility Gear
A lot is going on during construction work, and it can be easy to lose track of people. Highly reflective, bright clothing is a must on the site. It's essential when working in dark areas and active roadways.
Fall Protection
Fall protection is a must when working at six feet and above. One such fall prevention method is a personal fall arresting system. These systems consist of full-body harnesses that can support at least 5,000 pounds.
The harnesses can't exert more than 1,800 pounds on a falling worker and cannot allow a worker to free fall more than 6 feet (4 feet in California).
Other types of fall protection include guardrails, safety net systems, and covers. You're probably familiar with guardrails, so let's talk about safety net systems and covers.
Safety net systems have suspended nets hanging closely under high-altitude worksites. Covers are temporary hole coverings to keep workers and vehicles from falling inside.
These covers must be marked as such and caution people not to remove them.
Get Reliable PPE for Construction Work
Construction PPE exists to keep workers safe from harm and ensure work goes smoothly. It's up to employers to provide their employees with PPE and ensure it's safe to use.
Employers should also train workers to use their safety gear properly. Up Side Down Supply has all the construction PPE, you'll need. Contact us if you have any questions or want to receive news on the latest sales and offers.