PPE: The Basics

All workers should wear the correct PPE for the right job to ensure the safety of you and those around you at all times. Having a good understanding of the basics of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to staying safe on any work site. There are certain essentials that you should wear and always have on hand, no matter what work zone you find yourself in. Keep in mind that there are differences in sizes for men and women, so double check to see if you have the correct size that fits your body type, as this could prevent serious injury on the job.

Now, let’s get down to business:

Hard Hats: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that head injuries account for 9 percent of all work related accidents, and the construction industry has the highest rate of traumatic brain injuries in the United States. Hard hats protect you from any potential falling objects from overhead, traumatic brain injury, and even death, so wearing one could save your life. Make sure that you are wearing a hard hat at all times in or around any work zone. Your hard hat should be worn as indicated by the safety instructions, sit level on your head, and must meet safety standard requirements and regulations for the job at hand. The hat should not be loose, tilted, worn backwards, or ill-fitting; rather it should fit snugly so that it doesn’t fall off or move around as you move.

Hard hats also have a shelf-life; cracked, damaged, or out of date hats must be replaced immediately to ensure optimal functionality and protection. Report any damage to your hard hat to your supervisor so they can replace it as soon as possible.

Safety Gloves: The hand is the leading body part injured on work sites that is treated in U.S. hospitals. The number one cause for these injuries: not wearing protective gloves, or wearing the wrong ones that aren’t suitable for the job. Different gloves are used for different tasks, so ask your supervisor which ones are best for the job you are working on. Gloves help you avoid cuts, chemicals, and heat and cold exposure. And most importantly, your gloves should fit properly! Gloves that are too big, too small, damaged or torn could result in accidents and/or injuries. Wear them at all times — your hands will thank you.

High Visibility Clothing: One of the most important questions to ask yourself on a job site is “how well can others on site see me?” Anyone working on or near any type of road or construction site must wear High Visibility (HiVis) Clothing at all times, day and night. This is especially true during bad weather conditions, low visibility areas, and night work shifts (37% of work zone fatalities occur at night). Make sure your gear fits you properly and is appropriate for the task at hand.

Eye/Face Protection: This can include sunglasses, protective goggles, or breathing protection. Goggles and facemasks prevent potentially hazardous dust and materials from entering your respiratory system and eyes, and allows you to see and breathe clearly when working in such conditions. Sunglasses should be worn on very hot days to avoid glare and eye-sunburns.

Hearing Protection: Ear muffs and ear plugs will protect your ears from excessive noise on the job site. Many types of tools and equipment make extremely loud noise, so use these to protect your ears from hearing loss. In areas where noise exceeds 105 db, double protection (ear plugs and ear muffs) should be worn.

Foot Protection: Sturdy, steel-toed boots or heavy duty rubber soles will protect your feet from potential hazards, such as falling objects, nails, punctures, and slippery and uneven surfaces. Footwear is rated for different hazards and different jobs, so consult your project supervisor for the proper type of footwear that is required for your job. For more information on the different types and categories of protective footwear, check out this is a helpful guide from EHSToday.

When should I use PPE?

Accidents can happen to anyone, on any job site. You should always wear PPE on a job site or project, even if that job will take a few quick seconds or minutes. If you are not sure what type of PPE you should use on a specific job, seek advice from your supervisor or upper management. Check the fit and quality of your PPE before entering the job site; ill-fitting or damaged PPE could cause unwanted risks or hazards for you and others around you.

Storing PPE

Storing PPE in a dry, safe place, such as an organized storage closet, is essential to ensure that PPE remains in good condition. Make sure items are not piled on top of each other and that they are kept in individual boxes, bins, or hooks with labels. This will help workers avoid mixing items, and reduce the chance of potential safety hazards, such as tripping over items or things falling off of shelves. It also makes finding items much quicker, so you don’t waste time rustling through a pile of stuff. Having a proper storage system will guarantee a longer life for PPE materials.

For more information on PPE, check out this handy graphic that EHSToday has created.