Accidents are far too common when it comes to construction site. This is largely due to the hazards that are present on the site, such as the potential for falling debris or the use of hazardous equipment. When it comes to construction, it is crucial to implement the appropriate safety gear to ensure that all employees on the site remain safe.
It is similarly important to ensure that the company that you hire for your construction project follows all safety requirements. In many cases, it will be especially beneficial to hire a project manager to handle these details of the construction project, ensure everyone is on the same page, and provide appropriate training to all workers.
What is Safety Gear?
Safety gear is also known as personal protective equipment. It may include hard hats, safety glasses, shoes, earplugs, respirators, or outerwear.
Why is Safety Gear Important?
Safety is a Major Issue on Construction Sites
Construction sites certainly have their fair share of hazards. It is incredibly important that all employees are trained and aware of the safety protocols that they are required to follow. Many accidents occur on the construction site that could have been preventable.
This is often due to either the misuse or absence of the necessary personal protection equipment, often referred to as PPE. The appropriate safety gear will fluctuate depending on the construction site, the equipment that is being worked with, the possible presence of chemical fumes, and many more considerations.
Important Safety Gear to Implement
6 Important Safety Gear Items
- Appropriate Head Protection
- Eye and Face Protection
- Respiratory Protection
- Hand and Skin Protection
- Hearing Protection
- Foot Protection
There are several ways in which a worker can accidentally become injured during a construction project. Using the appropriate safety gear can substantially reduce the chances of these injuries occurring. They may also reduce the severity of possible injuries that may arise. It is crucial for employees to wear headgear to protect their skulls.
The head is a particularly vulnerable part of the body, so it is necessary to take the steps to protect it. Eye protection and gloves are used to protect the face and the skin. Flying debris can be devastating to the eyes when they aren’t properly protected.
It is important for construction workers to wear high-visibility clothing to ensure that they can be seen by their coworkers, especially while operating heavy equipment. Safety footwear, respiratory protective equipment, and safety harnesses are similarly important to implement on the construction site.
Appropriate Head Protection
The hard hat is often the most commonly seen piece of PPE on the construction site. This is for a good reason. Head injuries can be incredibly serious. Unfortunately, they can also occur easily when the appropriate protection isn’t used.
Hard hats are primarily used to help guard workers against sustaining a head injury from flying or falling objects. It is important to ensure that the hard hats fit correctly. A hard hat that is too large or too small will be less effective at protecting the worker. Securely fitting hard hats are necessary to provide adequate protection.
Eye and Face Protection
It is critical to take steps to protect the eyes and the face. Flying debris can cause severe issues with the eyes, including loss of vision. Safety googles, full face shields, and spectacles can be implemented to protect the eyes and face from potential hazards. Debris is particularly common on construction sites, so safety goggles are often necessary. These pieces of PPE are often necessary in metal work, woodwork, and similar fields.
Respiratory Protection
Many people overlook the importance of protecting the lungs during a construction project. This is often due to the fact that damage to the respiratory system may not be immediately apparent and can’t be seen visually. However, it is still incredibly important to use the appropriate equipment to protect the respiratory system.
Exposure to the fumes of certain chemicals and pollutants in the air can lead to permanent damage to the respiratory system. Certain masks, filters, and respirators can be used to protect the health of the lungs. This equipment is incredibly important on work sites where toxic substances are present. They also help to protect from dust, fumes, paint spray, and other contaminants that may be present in the air.
Hand and Skin Protection
When it comes to hand and skin protection, the right kind of protection will depend on the specific type of work and the substances that are present on the work site. Gloves are often necessary in order to provide adequate protection for the worker. The ideal kind of glove will depend on the work being done. There are many different options, including rubber gloves, chainsaw gloves, heat-resistant gloves, and cut-resistant gloves.
Hearing Protection
Similar to the respiratory system, providing protection to the ears is often overlooked, simply because damage to hearing doesn’t appear visually. It is crucial for workers to wear the appropriate safety gear when they are consistently exposed to large amounts of noise. Earplugs and earmuffs are often used to reduce the amount of sound that is allowed to impact the ears, which can go a long way toward protecting hearing.
Foot Protection
Due to the hazards that are commonly present on the construction site, it is extremely important for workers to wear the right shoes to protect their feet. Slip-resistant shoes can go a long way toward preventing falls and other slip-related injuries. Puncture-resistant and safety-toed shoes are necessary in order to prevent the possibility of damage and injury to the feet. The right shoes can go a long way toward protecting workers.
Conclusion
There are many types of safety gear that are used on the construction site. Implementing the appropriate safety gear can help to ensure that all workers are protected from many different types of injury. When it comes to choosing a construction company for your upcoming construction project, it will be necessary to ensure that they are following the appropriate safety protocols.
Our project managers are experts at ensuring that these measures are followed and that our construction projects are completed according to schedule. Here at E.K. Bailey, we also offer a variety of other services to improve your construction project, including preconstruction and consulting services. To learn more about obtaining our services for your construction project, contact our experts at E.K. Bailey today!