PPE and How It Can Save Your Life - Part 1

One too many accidents happen every year and most of the time it’s because of the absence or lack of PPE. Personal protective equipment is designed to guard you against any risk present in the workplace. This can be anything from molten metal to falling debris to electric shock.

OSHA strictly regulates employers to provide their employees with proper PPE. In some cases, though, accidents happen not because of absence or lack of PPE but because some employees choose not to wear it.

Here are a few of the PPE commonly used in the workplace. Take note of how each provides protection and what you must remember to maximize its benefits.

1. HARD HATS
   This is perhaps the most popular kind of PPE. Just passing by a construction site, you can see workers wearing their helmets or hard hats. Such protective gear are designed to protect against impact and penetration of flying and falling objects. It may be equipped with accessories such as face shields and earmuffs.

   Employees must never alter their head protection in any way. Remember, too, that a hard hat or helmet that is either too large or too small is not appropriate for use.

2. EYE AND FACE PROTECTIONWhile you may be safe from impacts with your hard hat, you may be taking for granted the risk of eye and face injury. With the use of goggles, spectacles and full face shields you can get the protection you need for your eyes and face. Such equipment are designed to protect you while you perform metal-working, woodworking, air-tool operations and hot-work. This type of PPE is also helpful when you perform power or pressure spray operations and chemical handling processes.Depending on the type of operation you need to perform, eye and face protection may be tinted, have side shields or filter lenses.
3. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Sometimes what you don’t see can hurt you.In some workplaces, this could never be more true than with the presence of toxic airborne substances.This is where respirators come into the picture.

They are designed to protect you from dust, fumes, paint spray, pesticides and other substances that could bring about long-term or permanent impairment or even death. As with other types of PPE, safety programs provided to employees must specify the proper ways to clean, maintain and repair respirators.

Tomorrow, we will discuss in detail the benefits of using hand protection, safe footwear and hearing protection. If you want to automatically receive this article and other future updates via e-mail, you can subscribe to our email list by clicking here. Here are also five other reasons to subscribe.

As always, we love hearing from you so if you have some tips you would like to add, just share them with us.

Related Links:

PPE and How It Can Save Your Life – Part 2

Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies

Proper Management of Hazardous Chemicals: Plan and Training for Workers

Arc-Welding

Proper Welding PPE and Safety Measures for Better Fire Protection