Five Essential Pieces of Safety Equipment for Workers

By | June 28, 2017

Orange safety vest

Every construction company owner wants workers to stay safe. Construction companies often find themselves working with dangerous tools and heavy machinery. It is essential to do everything possible to keep employees safe. Injured workers not only slow down completion of a project, they could wind up taking your company to court. Therefore, keeping employees properly protected is a must. Items including reflective pants for work help reduce the number of worker injuries suffered each year. In this post, you will learn why certain items are essential for workers to stay safe.

  • Safety Shoes An average person will walk about 10,000 steps per day while construction workers can triple that amount. Improper footwear in the construction world can cause a vast number of problems. Many construction workers wear boots with steel placed around the toe. Steel toed boots offer protection against falling items. One study found that about $70 is spent on footwear for construction employees per year. Safety shoes keep workers safe from slipping and sliding during a project. These shoes work well for keeping workers safe in potentially icy conditions.
  • Attire for Increased Visibility: Many workers across the nation are fixing its many roadways. Roads, both large and small, are being maintained by construction workers every day. High visibility workwear is essential to ensure all employees are visible to drivers. In some situations, roadwork may need to be done near automobiles at peak traffic hours. Reflective pants for work help keep employees visible from oncoming traffic. Reflective items use bright and reflective colors to increase visibility.
  • Eye Protection: A construction site can be notoriously rough on the eyes, if they aren’t properly protected. Protective eyewear keeps works safe from dust, rocks, and other elements. It is essential that workers are always able to see clearly in front of them. Workers without proper eye protection could find it hard to see where they are going. Eye protection is one of the most important elements of safety workwear. Using power tools and being in outdoor conditions make for situations where workers must keep their eyes heavily guarded.
  • Heavy Duty Rain Gear: Construction workers know that weather can change at any time. It is essential to have workers prepared for conditions with rain attire. These clothes will provide protection against wet clothes. Wearing soaked clothes can cause a drop in body temperature and increase the risk of workers getting sick. The last thing a construction company owner wants is a large group of sick workers. Rain gear is especially popular in areas known for their tropical climates.
  • Ear Protection: Many construction sites are especially noisy environments. Power tools are often used in multiple areas to work on a project. In turn, these noises could lead to hearing problems for unprotected workers. You can easily find protective earwear online to provide for your employees. Hearing loss can sometimes occur very quickly which means providing protective equipment right away is essential. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workers should spend no more than 8 hours around sound levels at 85 decibels.
  • In closing, there are many pieces of safety equipment that workers need. Keeping workers feet well protected is vital. Protective footwear features durability and slip protection that construction workers need. Some projects will have workers near areas of potentially high traffic. High visibility workwear is crucial for having visible employees at all time. Items including reflective pants for work keep roadside workers safe every day. Rain gear is used to keep workers safe from wearing wet clothes all day. Eye and ear protection are used to keep workers safe from flying debris and loud noises, respectively.