Essential Safety Gear and Why You Need Them

Whether you’re a construction worker or a warehouse employee, you need to make sure that you’re wearing the appropriate clothing and taking the right measures to keep yourself safe from harm. Your company will provide you with everything you need, and can train you for special procedures, but you need to know a few important points about your gear.

Gloves

When working with chemicals, construction materials, and heavy machinery, it is always best to wear protective gloves. They come in varying thickness and material depending on the job at hand. You have to understand that no matter how cumbersome your gloves might be, they ensure that you don’t cut or bruise your hands, or allow your skin to come into contact with corrosive material or substances. Never take your gloves off when you’re on the job, and don’t touch any unprotected part of your body while they are on.

Reflective Clothing

If you’re working in harsh weather conditions or environments with low lighting, reflective clothes can save your life. They make you visible to other workers and members of the general public. Keep them on to avoid accidents, such as collisions. In addition, clothing like this is designed to be waterproof so that moisture does not hinder the reflective properties which heighten your visibility.

Footwear

You must make sure you are wearing the correct boots for your job. Workman’s boots are designed to prevent sharp or heavy objects that may fall from harming your feet. Search for good workwear online to find the right kind of shoes required for the kind of responsibilities and hazards your job entails. You can’t risk losing a foot when your job requires you to be mobile and active.

Hardhats

Anyone working on a construction site, around machinery, or with heavy objects should have a hard hat on. This can literally save your life in the case of falling objects. Make sure you keep the chin strap secured tightly at all times to prevent the hardhat or helmet from slipping off and exposing your head.

Masks and Eyewear

Working with construction materials or chemicals requires protective eyewear. With chemicals, for example, even the tiniest splash can mean the loss of your eyesight if the substance makes contact. Never take these off when you are near the material you or your coworkers are handling. Furthermore, if you are bothered by smudges or have trouble with seeing through such gear, go to a safe area and clean the surfaces. If this does not help, report the issue to your superiors so that they can provide you with a better alternative. You’ll be saving yourself and your employers a lot of worry and trouble.

Earplugs

If you are working in environments where there is a lot of noise, it is always best to wear special earplugs. The kind that you’ll need are essentially industrial strength earmuffs that are designed to protect your hearing. Even if the noise is not loud, constant sound can cause long-term damage that you may not notice until it is too late.

Make sure that you understand why you have to adhere to safety regulations and wear these kinds of protective items. It could literally save your life.

About the author  ⁄ Darryl Rappa

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