7 Personal Protective Equipment for Construction Sites
What are the most important personal protective equipment in construction sites?
- Hard Hat
- Safety Shoes
- Reflective Vests
- Face Protection
- Gloves
- Ear Protection
- Safety Harness
Every employee should be equipped with their own set of personal protective equipment for construction sites. This is a requirement that must be worn at all times during construction or renovation to ensure the safety of employees. Even if on-site employees have different responsibilities, they need to get the job done and do it properly without putting themselves at risk. Safety in structural design is already considered in the planning process but environmental protection is just as important and should be taken seriously. Here’s a list of personal protective equipment.
Hard Hat
There’s a high possibility of head injuries in most construction sites due to falling construction debris. Any personnel on site should have a safety helmet or hard hat before entering the premises. This should be worn at all times as a precaution and choosing a helmet that meets high standards should be a priority. These hard hats should be inspected by a safety officer before it’s used to make sure that it’s safe and reliable. Take note that you should avoid equipment that has cracks and signs of extreme wear. There should be an adequate shock-absorbing lining within the hard hat. Adjustable head straps, ear muffs, and attachment slots should also be properly maintained when in use.
Safety Shoes
Safety shoes are essential for protecting the feet from possible injuries. The kind of shoes used will be determined by the potential hazards of the site and the nature of work. Safety shoes have different features like steel toe cap coverings and steel soles. Other shoes can include non-conductive materials for electrical work. Once again, the shoes should properly align with safety standards and specifications. The shoes shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. The right fit should always be used to prevent possible injuries. Avoid safety shoes with laces as this can be prone to tripping and injury.
Reflective Vests
Any changes on site can be a hazard if you are not properly prepared for it. Every personnel should be prepared to protect themselves from risks like electricity, weather changes, and more. Reflective vests are a necessity to maintain visibility operations, inspections, and most site activities. Reflective vests use bright colors like neon orange and neon yellow with reflective fabric sewn on to the vest. The reflective material allows the vest to be illuminated even in darkness so long as a light shines on it. It can also be seen when using flash photography. When working late hours, having this vest is essential for worker safety when working under these conditions.
Face Protection
Construction employees should also be provided with the proper eye and face protection equipment as proper hazard protection. This is especially important for machine operators, bar benders, welders, and similar roles. Any employee that has vision problems should have their own eyeglasses with protective lenses and goggles that won’t disrupt work productivity. This equipment should be free from any defects, both structural and optical. Once again, it’s important that these equipment pass safety guidelines and standards. Going for the cheaper route may seem like it’s saving you a ton of money, but if you have to replace PPEs daily, it can add up to your operation costs quickly. Invest in the right equipment to avoid racking up your costs.
Gloves
Handling rough, sharp, and coarse material requires rugged gloves. These gloves should be able to withstand reinforcement bars, precast concrete, toxic materials, electrical items, and hot elements. There are tons of materials out there that can withstand rough handling and activities. You should be able to pick one according to the requirements of the site and the site employee job description. If hands are left unprotected, that’s a recipe for a bad injury in the workplace. Choose gloves made of chrome leather for sandblasting, insulated rubber for electrics, and fabric gloves for rough materials.
Ear Protection
Personnel shouldn’t worry about injuring their hearing abilities. Ear protective gear is also a requirement. It can be headsets, earplugs, or ear muffs depending on the needs of the site. Cheap and plain cotton should be avoided at all costs as these do not fit international safety standards. It’s much better to use equipment that’s made for ear protection to adequately protect the eardrums from extreme noise levels.
Safety Harness
If site employees are elevated, a safety harness should be provided to prevent accidental falls. It should be strong enough to withstand a force of 2275 kegs and the material should be of a strong material such as nylon with at least 1 cm thickness. The hooks should also use a double locking device that can be easily operated for personal safety.
Key Takeaway
Personal protective equipment for construction sites is essential for any project. These are designed to protect employees and staff members from injuries on the worksite. There are many hazards to when working for construction and having adequate protection can prevent accidents and injuries which can hinder productivity. Avoid hazards and accidents caused by physical, chemical, and mechanical work by using PPEs.
