Wearing the correct clothing in a workplace can oftentimes prevent serious injury. Risk assessments are carried out and employees must meet the regulations put in place by their employer as well as industry regulations.
Wearing shorts and a t-shirt in a high-risk workplace is generally not acceptable. But wearing high-visibility workwear, hard-hat, proper shoes and clothing is what’s needed to prevent. Granite takes a look at why protective clothing is so important.
What Is PPE?
PPE can help protect hearing, sight, mouth, and nose from any dangerous chemicals or gasses to breathe in
PPE stands for personal protective equipment and is workwear that is designed to keep workers safe and avoid any hazards or injury. In recent times, PPE is being mentioned a lot due to the Coronavirus pandemic and in this case refers to overalls, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
But PPE can mean anything from safety boots, and high-vis vests to helmets and safety glasses. PPE is important because it can help protect from injury or accidents that may occur in the workplace. PPE can help protect hearing, sight, mouth, and nose from any dangerous chemicals or gasses to breathe in.
Which Industries Need PPE?
Many industries need PPE to meet regulations and body standards. Below is a list of workplaces that need PPE:
- Construction
- Laboratories
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Industrial
- Security
- Catering
And many more industries. Any jobs that are liable for the staff being injured or working with dangerous gasses, chemicals, or liquids require PPE. From hot surfaces to loud noises to biological agents.
What Are The Most Important Items Of Safety Clothing?
Headwear
Helmets and hard hats are needed when working on construction sites and other environments where falling debris may be an issue or working with large and heavy items.
Respiratory protection
Masks are strictly essential when working near other workers and when indoors
Currently, with the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are strictly essential when working near other workers and when indoors.
In other cases such as dealing with dust, gasses, or harmful chemicals, masks may also be required as part of PPE workwear.
High-Vis Clothing
When working in dark conditions or on roads and motorways, high-vis clothing may be required to carry out the work without being seriously injured.
For example, if a breakdown rescue service weren’t wearing high-vis clothing at night on a high-speed road such as a motorway, then the risk of getting ran over by oncoming traffic dramatically increases. Therefore, high-vis clothing is required in many jobs, across many industries to keep individuals safe.
Trousers
A pair of jeans won’t cut it when working in many industries, whether that’s in a medical environment or even a construction environment.
Proper workwear is needed in numerous industries and can surprisingly help keep safe, whether that’s being waterproof, fireproof, or being made from a tougher material than other trousers.
Boots
A good pair of safety boots or a comfortable pair of work shoes can help carry out the job without being in pain or causing any injuries such as punctures, sprains, or accidents such as dropping heavy items on the feet.
A steel-capped toe can help prevent serious impact injuries and the comfort of the shoe can aid if the user works on the feet all day.