Quick Guide to PPE in the Construction Industry

In any industry, the company carries the responsibility of providing a safe working environment for its employees. However, in the construction industry where every corner is a constant danger zone, safety and precautionary measures are treated in a whole different level.

Construction companies, with the help of regulatory bodies, have leveled up their game in ensuring the safety of their workers. Engineering protocols and other safety standards have been set to mitigate and ultimately prevent disasters. But if these measures are not enough, workers still have personal protective equipment (PPE) as their last line of defense. PPE are protective gears worn by workers to guarantee their own safety.

What are the types of PPE and why are they important?

Head and Face Protection

In a construction site, it is imperative that every worker should wear protective head gears at all times. Hard hats and safety helmets are used to safeguard the workers from any impact caused by falling or flying objects and also from electric shocks. Goggles and face shields are used by those who come in contact with bright light and infrared radiation. They also act as a great defense against dangerous chemical splashes and tiny projectiles.

Hearing Protection

Construction workers are constantly exposed to repetitive destructive unhealthy noise all the time. Workers are advised to use earplugs and earmuffs to guard their eardrums from loud noises. These PPE gears protect them from developing noise-induced hearing loss and possibly permanent hearing impairment.

Respiratory Protection

Some worksites produce haphazard air contaminants, which pose grave health threats to workers. In these types of environment, respiratory PPE for safety precaution is an important tool. Respirators are used to filter out airborne contaminants like silica dust particles and powders to help workers breath safe air. Breathing apparatuses on the other hand give off breathable air from a separate source and is usually used in places with low oxygen.

Hand and Arm Protection

Most hard work in construction is done using the hands and arms. This is why using the appropriate hand and arm PPE gears is paramount to protect against fatal injuries such as cuts, abrasions, splashes from toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, radiation, vibrations, and other hazards. Some examples of this type of PPE are gloves and gauntlets.

Foot and Leg Protection

The same protection should be given to both upper and lower limbs because they are exposed to roughly the same types of hazards. Safety shoes and boots vary in types and materials depending on what type of protection is needed. Shoe soles can be oil-resistant or chemical-resistant as well. Companies should be able to provide the appropriate type of working shoes so workers can safely perform at their best without worry.

Body Protection

Vests, jackets, and boiler suits are the common protective clothing used to guard construction workers against contaminated dust, chemical splashes, hot liquids, and other hazards. Some common protective clothing are made of wool, cotton, leader, rubber, and so on. Proper fitting should be done to provide the worker with utmost comfort and protection.

Aside from providing the necessary protection gears for workers, construction companies must also provide an effective PPE program. This program should include teaching the workers the importance of these PPE and how to use and care for them. Having a PPE program will protect both the companies and their workers from harm and from incurring unnecessary accidents and damages.