Understanding the Different Types of PPE for Workplace Safety

Workplace safety is of the utmost importance. This is especially true in hazardous work zones such as a construction site, a confined space or in the presence of dangerous equipment. In these types of work environments, the risk of injury or death is considerably higher. It’s important to have a comprehensive approach to keep workers safe and aware of hazards. Such a plan should include specific training for working in dangerous areas, discussion of best practices and the use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, when necessary. Here are some things to know about PPE.

Protecting Body Parts

Among the more popular types of PPE is clothing that protects your body from external hazards. Commonly used examples would include hard hats and steel toe boots. This protective gear shields various parts of the body from being pierced, squeezed or crushed from external hazards. For example, if workers are required to handle sharp objects, a company should supply them with work safety gloves for safe operations.

Staying Visible

Employees that work in and around streets or in low-light areas might need gear that helps maintain their visibility. Road crews and people who work around train tracks often have to wear bright, reflective gear so that they can be seen by those who operate large equipment and vehicles. Reflective tape can be applied to other types of PPE, such as hard hats and gloves, to increase the visibility for late or night shift work.

Fighting Fatigue

Other types of PPE include items that help reduce fatigue and wear on the body. Such PPE might include items like earplugs that help reduce strain on the ears due to loud, buzzing equipment. Anti-vibration gloves can be worn by someone who uses tools that vibrate for extended periods of time.

Employers are obligated to make sure that the work environment is safe for their employees. Training and discussion of safety procedures are a must, especially for hazardous environments. No plan is complete without providing workers the needed PPE for the safe completion of tasks.