The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the world, with thousands of accidents reported each year. To minimize the risk of injury and illness, it is essential to use the right personal protective equipment (PPE). In this article, we will discuss the different types of PPE available for construction workers and how to select and use them correctly. Personal protective equipment, commonly known as PPE, is equipment used to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
These injuries and illnesses can result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other hazards in the workplace. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety goggles and shoes, earplugs or cuffs, helmets, respirators or overalls, vests and full body suits. The six personal protective equipment for construction workers are helmets, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, safety gloves, safety boots and reflective clothing. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 9,000 accidents involving personal protective equipment are reported every year.
The respiratory system and eyes are particularly sensitive areas and can cause serious damage when exposed to very dangerous substances. Not only would all of these incidents influence any work the individual might do, but they would also have a significant negative effect on other aspects of their life. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is implemented after other controls to reduce risks (low and high) to health and safety. It is often needed to form a vital part of a workplace health and safety system.
The device, appliance or accessory must be used or held for the purpose or work. If the risk assessment has found the risk to be negligible then PPE is not necessary. However, in other cases it may be appropriate to apply a general workplace rule to use certain types of PPE. Protective clothing must offer some specific protection to be considered personal protective equipment (PPE).
If not it's just work clothes. There are several types of personal protective equipment (PPE), each designed to protect a particular part of the body against a particular hazard. We will analyze in detail the different types of PPE:
Head Protection
Helmets are essential for protecting the head against falling objects or debris. They should be made from strong materials such as hard plastic or metal and should fit snugly on the head without being too tight or too loose.Eye Protection
Safety glasses or goggles are essential for protecting the eyes from dust particles or flying debris. They should fit snugly on the face without being too tight or too loose. They should also be made from strong materials such as polycarbonate or plastic.Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is essential for protecting against loud noises that can cause permanent hearing damage. Earplugs or earmuffs should be used when working in noisy environments.Hand and Arm Protection
Safety gloves are essential for protecting hands from sharp objects or chemicals.They should be made from strong materials such as leather or Kevlar and should fit snugly on the hands without being too tight or too loose.
Foot Protection
Safety boots are essential for protecting feet from sharp objects or chemicals. They should be made from strong materials such as leather or rubber and should fit snugly on the feet without being too tight or too loose.High Visibility Clothing
High visibility clothing is essential for making sure that workers are visible in low light conditions. There are three classes of high-visibility clothing: Class 1 is for low-risk environments; Class 2 is for medium-risk environments; and Class 3 is for high-risk environments.Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) may be needed to protect the respiratory system against certain hazards such as chemicals and contaminated dust. It is important to protect the respiratory system since the lungs are an important organ that is required to maintain life.Lifting Equipment
Equipment used to lift or lower people must be safe and should be inspected at regular intervals.Conclusion
The required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used at all times when under construction or renovation at Princeton University.When engineering, labor practices and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection employers must provide personal protective equipment to their workers and ensure its proper use.
