There are many potential dangers on the construction site, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or basic PPE for construction is one of the main lines of defense for workers. In addition, each item is efficient to minimize exposure to certain risks of injury and hazards that can cause damage in an accident.

Mainly, construction industries evaluate individuals on the job site for specific and unique hazards and require suitable personal protective equipment. Furthermore, PPE can minimize common hazards in construction areas like electric shock hazards, falls, chemicals, pollutants, impact, penetration, entrapment and interception, overturning, and heat.

Workers must use PPE appropriately. Each piece must remain firm without causing discomfort or restricting movement. In addition, clothes and other objects should not be loose, as there is a risk of tripping, trapping moving parts, etc.

Below is a brief overview of some basic PPE for construction.

Hard hats

  • Primarily, hard hats are essential in most construction areas. They protect against head injuries associated with shocks or falling objects, hitting the head with an object, or accidentally hitting the head with an electrical hazard. In addition, each individual should inspect the hard hats for dents, scratches, and other damage before using them.

Foot protection

  • Foot protection refers to steel-toe boots. Workers should wear work boots on the job site to protect themselves from heavy or falling equipment. Moreover, the work surfaces have sharp objects, and slipping is a great danger in the workplace. So, the workers need unbreakable non-slip soles to avoid the danger.

Hand protection

  • Different work gloves suit specific tasks and dangers in construction. These include heavy leather and canvas gloves to protect against wounds and burns. Then, there are welding gloves for welders and durable rubber gloves for working on concrete. Lastly, insulated gloves with sleeves for working with electrical hazards, and chemically resistant gloves for working with chemicals.
basic PPE for construction- different types of hand protection

Work trousers and work shirts

  • Workers should protect their entire legs, arms, and body from cuts, scratches, burns, and other superficial injuries. Therefore, they should have robust and flexible work pants and shirts. It should sit nicely and not be loose while maximizing mobility.

Face and eye protection

  • First and foremost, workers should wear safety goggles or face shields if there is a risk of piercing the eyes of harmful substances entering the eyes. Cutting, grinding, welding, chopping, and charging nails are some of the activities that require goggles. In addition to basic safety goggles, other surface protection materials include welding shields, chemical splash goggles, and dust goggles.

Hearing protection

  • Chainsaws, jackhammers, and other tools and heavy equipment can create noise levels that can damage workers’ hearing. Primarily, pre-molded or formable earplugs are usually the best choice. But, acoustic foam-lined ear muffs that tightly cover the head can also be good.

Reflective/high-visibility clothing

  • Bright colors or jackets, vests, or other upper-body outwear are essential to worker visibility. Moreover, it is advisable always to wear it in the workplace. But, it is imperative to wear it during active exercise, and when working at dusk and night. In some cases, OSHA ordered that workers must wear it.

Source: TrekkerGroup