Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing and gear worn by construction workers to protect them from on-the-job injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide PPE at no cost to workers.
A few specific pieces of PPE are necessary for anyone working in construction of any kind. Let’s look at some essential PPE for safety in the construction industry.
Respiratory Protection
Construction workers often see high dust levels and other particles that can cause severe respiratory problems. To protect against these dangers, OSHA requires that employers provide workers with masks or respirators.
Masks filter out large particles, while respirators filter out both large and small particles. Employers must provide the proper type of mask or respirator for the job and train workers to use them properly.
Hand and Foot Protection
Construction workers are also at risk of cuts, burns, and other injuries to their hands and feet. So workers must wear gloves, boots, and any other gear that may be specific to the tasks workers perform on the construction site.
Cut-resistant work gloves can protect workers’ hands from sharp objects, while heat-resistant gloves can protect workers from burns. Boots with steel toes can protect workers’ feet from getting crushed, while chemical-resistant boots can protect against dangerous chemicals.
Body Protection
Body protection is also essential for safety in the construction industry. Construction workers are often exposed to hazards such as falling objects, flying debris, and harmful chemicals. Wearing the proper body protection can help protect workers from these dangers.
Head Protection
Construction workers expose themselves to many hazards, including falling objects, electrical shocks, and chemical splashes. Head protection is essential in reducing the risk of serious injury or death in the event of an accident.
Many types of head protection are available, including hard hats, safety glasses, and earplugs. Hard hats are the most common type of head protection worn in the construction industry. They consist of durable materials such as plastic and metal, and they help to protect the head from impact injuries.
As you can see, there is a lot of essential Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, that construction workers need to stay safe on the job site. Construction workers must be aware of all the types of PPE they may need depending on their job.
Construction workers should also ensure they know how to properly use all the different types of PPE before they start working with it. All these things will help keep construction workers safe while on the job.