March 2023

Posted on March 28, 2023February 9, 2024 by Jenny Ko

PPE Construction: Head-to-Toe Safety Gear

A wide variety of trades and occupations are considered part of the construction industry. But one common thread exists: Every sector needs PPE to keep construction workers safe.

The hazards workers face on a daily basis may be related to the worksite itself or specific trades and activities. Materials used in certain types of construction or by particular trades also present hazards. Some other hazards are universal.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the main types of PPE used throughout the construction industry and why they are needed.

Construction Environments and Occupations

The built environment is everywhere: Homes, factories, roadways, dams, skyscrapers, drilling platforms, hotels and an endless list of structures.

Residential, commercial and industrial construction involve widely variable worksites and settings, from demolition, excavation and road work to specialized installations, high rise structures, and other extreme conditions.

A multitude of roles and occupations are involved in construction, including these:

Structural ironworker/steelworker
Heavy equipment operator
Construction laborer
Elevator installer or repairer
Sheet metal worker
Plumber
Carpenter

Construction PPE from Head to Toe

Job descriptions and working conditions vary, but what all these occupations have in common is the routine exposure to hazards and with that, the need for personal protective equipment to guard their health and safety.

From head to toe, construction PPE is critical for preventing injuries and cumulative heath damage from long-term exposure to environmental conditions, chemicals, and respiratory irritants including these hazards common to construction sites:

Contact with objects and poor visibility are ever present as well. Let’s start at the top and consider the types of protection that may be needed.

Head Protection

The hard hat is the iconic symbol of the construction industry—for good reason, as they protect the head from injury. The wearer is protected from fixed overhead objects and projections, objects that could be falling from above and flying objects such as debris from a fabrication process. Hard hats also offer insulation from electric shock.

Head protection is available in different styles and materials at Liberty Safety. In general, the hat’s purpose is to absorb shocks, including those which, according to an article in Safety+Health, could cause brain injuries.

For optimal protection, ensure correct fit and don’t allow anything to interfere with the hat’s suspension. As with other PPE, inspect your hard hat routinely for damage. If it’s damaged, don’t use it.

Eye Protection

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that construction has a higher rate of eye injuries than any other occupation. Flying particles, chemicals, dust, wood chips, metal shavings, acids and caustic liquids are frequent hazards, not to mention the potential hazards of impact with larger objects on site.

Wearing the appropriate protective eyewear can prevent 90% of serious eye injuries, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eyewear must fit snugly but comfortably and be selected based on the hazard that must be protected against. Special purposes require special attention to lenses, for example, in welding masks choose the correct filter lens shade that’s appropriate for the type of welding being done.

Ultimately, wearing the protective eyewear is the key to preventing injury. When people have more choices in protective eyewear, they tend to be more consistent in using it.

Hearing Protection

Noise from machinery, equipment, and processes like demolition are constant at many construction sites. If you’ve ever wondered just how loud common equipment on a site could be, OSHA’s pocket guide to noise protection provides context. Forklifts, nail guns, and bulldozers are just some of the noise sources that exceed OSHA’s 90 dBA permissible exposure limit.

Ear muffs and ear plugs can bring the sound down to appropriate levels. Selecting the right hearing protection must take into account other PPE being used, such as hard hats or welding gear so that all the protective equipment fits together and provides consistent protection without introducing gaps or misalignment. Liberty Safety can help you identify the appropriate protection for any application.

Body Protection

Protection for the body begins with being visible—you have to be seen to stay safe. The human body is no match for the powerful machinery everywhere on construction sites, nor does it stand much of a chance against speeding traffic in a highway work zone. High visibility gear, required under many categories of working conditions allows you to be seen.

Vests like HiVizGard™ Surveyor’s Vest or Foreman Surveyor’s Vest have pockets for radios and other day-to-day essentials. Liberty Safety offers other vests that include large hidden pockets that can accommodate work documents as well as solid front styles with sleeves.

Respiratory Protection

Breath is life, and healthy breathing demands adequate protection on the job. Gas leaks, dust, smoke, chemicals, and work around processes like abrasive blasting all pose respiratory threats. Whether nuisance masks or full body encapsulated suits are needed, the right PPE allows workers to use paints, adhesives and chemicals safely so that long-term health damage can be avoided. Liberty Safety has a range of respiratory PPE and can help you identify the right gear for your application.

Hand Protection

The hands are the part of the body most likely to be injured in a construction workplace. And often many of these injuries are highly preventable, according to Safety+Health. To give hard working hands the protection they need, choose gloves with care.

Start by looking for gloves based on the circumstances of the job. Choose a snug fit that permits dexterity for handling machines and tools. Cuts and lacerations aren’t the only concerns. Welding requires highly specific gloves, and heavy duty rubber gloves are needed for concrete work. Chemical resistant gloves protect skin from burns.

Liberty Safety has the expertise to help you match the right glove to the needs of your workforce to provide comfort, fit, and top performance. A variety of coated gloves offer cut resistance, puncture protection, and protection from chemicals appropriate to specific types of work as well as improve grip and enhance hand comfort for working with tools.

For workers in drywall, excavation, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and related trades, Liberty Safety offers these FroGrip® gloves F4920RT, F4927, F4970SD, 4729SP and many others. Use the ANSI cut resistance standards to help determine the right gloves for your tasks.

Foot Protection

For all types of construction work, the ability to walk without slipping and protected from injury is foundational. Puncture-resistant soles prevent nails and sharp objects from penetrating the shoe or boot; steel or composite toes offer protection from crush injuries resulting from falling tools, equipment, materials or machinery.

Long aprons, leggings, and other leg protection are needed for activities like welding or in situations where falling and rolling objects present a hazard.

Stable footing is the foundation of healthy working posture. Protective footwear and boots made of durable, waterproof materials provide comfort and protection as well as slip resistance.

Construction PPE has a Single Task to Perform

The right safety gear for the situation is critical. Think of your PPE as the long snapper in football.

You don’t often hear much about the long snapper, yet this special teams player is critical. Snapping the football with perfect accuracy for field goals, extra points, and punts may seem monotonous, but consistency is everything. Perfection is expected.

In construction, PPE is like the long snapper. It has one job to do protecting workers–day after day–and its reliable performance is absolutely critical. The bar is set high, for good reason: lives and good health depend on it.

Suit up for the day ahead and let PPE do its work–the single-focused, special-teams task of keeping construction workers–and site visitors–safe from injury.

Sources:

Construction and Extraction Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) [construction occupations]

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3151.pdf

https://www.ergodyne.com/blog/understanding-hi-vis-standards-and-replacing-used-high-visibility-apparel

https://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-does-the-most-monotonous-job-in-the-world-pay-1-million/

Posted on March 15, 2023February 9, 2024 by Jenny Ko

5 Common Springtime Hazards: What You Should Know to Protect Your Workers

The official start of spring is just around the corner. If the warmer weather means you’ll be sending your crew outside, you’ll want to make sure they do it safely. Below we’ve compiled the five most common risks employers should consider before creating a safety plan for their outdoor workers this spring.

1. Allergies

Springtime brings growth and blossoms to plants and trees, but for outdoor workers who suffer from allergies, that means itchy, watery eyes and dry, irritated throats.

And research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows that the pollen causing these allergies is only getting worse every spring. It seems that “anthropogenic climate change” (ACC) has exacerbated the season, which now starts 20 days earlier, is ten days longer, and features 21% more pollen than in 1990.

To protect outdoor workers who are triggered by allergens, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends first trying to minimize exposure to pollen using protection like face masks or eye protection. For more severe reactions, they suggest over-the-counter or prescription medications.

If you suffer from pollen triggered allergies, safety glasses like our 1790C style are a great option for versatile eye protection, and our easy-to-wear 1895N style NIOSH-approved N95 particulate respirator will help protect your throat when you’re outdoors.

2. Hazardous Chemicals

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American workers use tens of thousands of chemicals daily. While many of these chemicals are suspected of being harmful, only a few are regulated in the workplace.

As a result, workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures.

Spring cleaning and maintenance often involve many of these hazardous chemicals. OSHA requires workers, especially those working in agriculture, to use skin, hand, and/or respiratory protection when handling these chemicals.

Face masks or respirators can help filter out airborne particles in manufactured chemicals like fertilizers and herbicides. Proper use can reduce the risk of respiratory problems.

Hands and skin can also be damaged when workers are using chemicals. Wearing the correct type of chemical resistant gloves and protective apparel can help further protect outdoor workers.

3. Slip and Fall Hazards

Spring showers bring more than just flowers. They also cause mud and wet surfaces, which can cause workers to slip and fall.

And even though springtime temperatures may rise above freezing during the day, they will fall back at night. Ice may accumulate and present yet another early morning slip and fall hazard.

But those aren’t the only spring slip and fall hazards, others include:

Washed up debris on walkways
Wet or slick outdoor stairs or handrails
Overgrown landscaping obstructing walkways or hiding hazards

Wearing appropriate head protection, such as a hard hat or bump cap, can greatly reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of slips and falls.

The shoes workers wear can also play a big part in minimizing the risks. Appropriate footwear, such as waterproof boots with good traction, is critical to prevent accidents.

4. Visibility Issues

The spring season is often accompanied by fog and heavy rain, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents. And warmer weather means more people are out and about, increasing the likelihood of incidents due to distracted or reckless drivers.

It’s especially a danger for construction workers who are likely to work in busy traffic areas. Glare and reflections as the sun gets higher in the sky can also make it difficult for drivers to see these workers even in well posted work zones.

To address these visibility issues and help workers see and be seen, workers should have:

Adequate light sources
Reflective clothing and equipment
Proper training

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule web page provides rule implementation and guidance examples.

HiVizGard™ garments are engineered with comfort and style without compromising safety. The Class 2 Surveyor vests pictured (products C16017F and C16017G) come in two colors and are an effective way to alert drivers of a worker’s presence, especially in low light and dark conditions.

5. Unpredictable Weather

Springtime is a volatile time of year notorious for having wildly unpredictable weather with sudden changes in temperatures.

The position and intensity of high and low-pressure systems in spring contribute to those unpredictable weather patterns. The National Weather Service credits most seasonal volatility to jet streams, which are narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

Their southward dips can bring cold air and stormy weather to some areas, while northward shifts can bring warm, sunny conditions.

While some general patterns can be observed, spring weather can be challenging to predict precisely, making it essential to stay informed and prepared for changing conditions.

Workers should wear appropriate clothing, sticking to a layered approach. They should have outdoor apparel that protects against rain, wind, and those sudden up or down temperatures.

Selecting Spring PPE

There’s no getting around it, in the springtime, outdoor workers are exposed to a slew of environmental hazards. The risks depend on the type of work, geographic region, and duration of time they are outside.

Assessing the specific hazards associated with an activity is important before determining the appropriate PPE to wear. It is also important to ensure the PPE is properly fitted and in good shape to provide the necessary protection.

OSHA guidelines for selecting PPE say PPE should fit comfortably and that each worker using it should know:

When it is necessary
What kind is necessary
How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off
The limitations of the equipment
Proper care and disposal of the equipment

Most PPE manufacturers provide supporting documentation on wearing and using their equipment, which you can reference. You can also check out the free PPE training resources that are online for more information.

Spring Into Safety

Even though outdoor work will always involve an element of risk, no matter what season it is, there are ways employers can help minimize it. This includes risk assessment, proper safety controls, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

As we move between winter and summer, it’s critical to be aware of the hazards associated with the season and take suitable safety measures to protect your outdoor workers. Liberty Safety can help. Contact us to learn more about our personal protective equipment for this season and throughout the year.

Posted on March 9, 2023February 9, 2024 by Jenny Ko

The Importance of PPE in the Workplace: Defining Hazards and PPE by Industry

Keeping workers healthy and safe is the most obvious goal of any employer’s safety program. The benefits of a safe and healthy workforce, driven by regular use of the appropriate PPE, extend to your business as well.

We’ll take a look at some of these business benefits as well as how PPE helps workers stay safe across a range of industries.

Appropriate Use of PPE Brings Benefits to Your Business

Your business is known by the practices you maintain, and how you handle safety practices affects your reputation and your ability to attract the type of workers you want.

By creating a safe work environment, you can:

Show your values. Through safety measures, you can demonstrate concretely that you care about the people who work for you.
Set an example. Show that safety is important by having managers and visitors maintain and observe consistent safety practices that include PPE.
Relieve worker stress. With adequate protection, people can concentrate better on the job at hand, without the distraction and concern for their own welfare or risk of injury.
Retain employees. In a safe environment, job satisfaction is higher. With higher satisfaction, you experience less turnover.
Keep absenteeism down, spirits up. Downtime is lower and morale higher when there are fewer accidents.
Demonstrate professionalism. Requiring the use of appropriate PPE puts an emphasis on doing things right.
Keep your organization in good standing. Compliance with required regulations helps you avoid fines and fees and correct, consistent use of PPE also protects workers and the company from a variety of issues should an injury occur.
Increase effectiveness. Using the right PPE often helps people work more effectively – providing better grip, more secure footing, and protection from extreme conditions both indoors and outdoors.

By definition, hazards are the sources of potential injury or damage; risks represent the likelihood of injury from a particular hazard. PPE is designed to prevent injury from specific events and from long-term exposure to hazardous conditions.

Regardless of the industry, multiple hazard categories are often present. PPE offers specialized protection for the eyes, ears, respiratory system, skin, head, hands, limbs, and body as determined by the industry and predominant types of hazards.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential hazards associated with various industries and how PPE helps guard the health and well-being of workers.

General Hazards

Every industry has its inherent hazards. While many hazards can be mitigated through the design and engineering of systems and practices to protect workers, others remain. OSHA describes an array of hazards that can be present in any workplace. The following list gives an overview of some common hazard categories with selected examples:

General Industrial Safety: Unsafe working conditions, confined spaces, hazards for slips, trips and falls (on same level)
Biological: Mold, insects, infectious diseases, bird or animal droppings
Physical or environmental: Noise, temperature extremes, weather conditions, radiation
Ergonomic: Repetitive motion, awkward and heavy lifting, musculoskeletal over-extension
Chemical: Solid, liquid or gaseous chemicals and dust, particles, dust, toxins that enter the respiratory system or irritate the skin
Organizational: Sources of stress including workload demands, violence, and harassment

Along with proper training in safe work practices, correctly used PPE serves as the last line of defense to protect workers from fatal, catastrophic, and other injuries.

Typical Industry Hazards and Relevant PPE

Every industry has its own set of specific standards and safety precautions to be followed. PPE requirements may overlap or be tailored to particular applications. In all industries, falls, slips, and trips are among the most common hazards.

OSHA offers recommended practices to help employers identify hazards specific to their workplace and industry. Across the board, appropriate PPE and hazard communication are vital to maintaining the safety of the workforce.

Several key industry sectors rely heavily on PPE to reduce injuries and improve worker safety in the workplace. We’ll take a look at some of the common hazards in the following industries: manufacturing; food processing and restaurant; maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO); farming and agriculture; and construction. Liberty Safety provides a wide range of PPE to help workers in many industries stay safe and do their jobs efficiently.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing encompasses a range of processes that requires protection of virtually every type, from extreme physical and environmental conditions to chemical hazards and a wide range of general hazards. Workers in industrial production roles face hazards associated with machinery, mechanical processes, material handling, repetitive stress, fire and electrical hazards among others.

Food Processing and Restaurant

The food processing industry covers a wide variety of activities, from butchering and meat processing to canneries, bakeries, fisheries, packing plants, dairies, rendering and more. Workers in each category face industry specific hazards.

Restaurant kitchens are high heat, high pressure environments where workers are dealing with sharp tools and the potential for slippery surfaces underfoot while working at a fast pace. The Economics Daily notes that workplace hazards and likelihood of injury depend on the type of food service operation and its activities.

Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO)

These activities support every industry, maintaining the means of production and the physical facilities. HVAC workers, plumbers, welders, pipefitters, machinists, and vehicle maintenance crew are just some of the workers who keep operations running and need a wide range of protective gear.

Detailed safety recommendations and specifications are provided by individual trade associations such as the American Welding Society fact sheets and guidelines and the National Fire Protection Association codes and standards for workplace safety when working around electrical hazards.

Farming and Agriculture

The processes involved in producing crops and raising livestock require attention to the health and safety of the workers and the health of the crops and animals under their care. As an industry, agriculture ranks among the highest in the number of injuries reported annually, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In 2020 alone 11,880 injuries related to agricultural production and requiring days off work were reported.

Sanitation involves exposure to toxic chemicals, and farm production work involves exposure to fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals which may be in solid, liquid or spray form. Machinery, saws, tractors, and farm equipment present a wide range of hazards.

Construction

In the construction industry, falls account for more than one-third of all construction work-related deaths. According to The Economics Daily, published by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 32% of nonfatal injuries from falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry in 2019 required days away from work. Adding to the significance for both workers and employers, for these cases the median time away from work was 28 days.

Beyond the safety harnesses and other devices that prevent falls, construction workers need the protection of a wide range of gear. Falls to a lower level, overexertion related to handling objects, being struck by objects, and falls on the same level are the top four causes of injury in the construction industry, according to data from Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Attributes of Appropriate PPE

Gear Needs to be Comfortable

Must be sized correctly to fit the worker. Eyewear must fit the face correctly, clothing must fit properly. Oversized clothing becomes a hazard because it could become caught in equipment.

Only works when it’s used. If it doesn’t fit correctly and comfortably, it will be avoided–making the worker vulnerable to injury or exposure that could be life threatening.

Gear Needs to be Suited to the Task

Base choice on the situation. What’s ideal in one situation may be entirely wrong in another. Choose the right boots for crush protection or to add increased slip resistance on oily or greasy surfaces. Gloves must be chosen correctly–to provide cut-resistance or to give an improved grip–with the right fit for dexterity. Sometimes disposable gowns and gloves are needed, other situations demand durable clothing designed for repeated heavy use.

Gear Must Perform

Check the standards. As appropriate, PPE must meet the standards to prevent penetration by hazardous materials, toxins, and chemicals.

Choose tested products that have satisfactory performance under real-world conditions.

Do the Job Well, and Safely

PPE both provides protection from hazards and helps workers do their jobs more effectively. The right gear can offer improved grip, better footing, support for lifting and movement, visibility, and temperature regulation.

But to be useful, it has to be worn–and that means workers need to have gear that fits correctly and comfortably, as well as being designed with appropriate levels of protection.

Choosing the correct gear and attaining the best fit can be a challenge. Liberty Safety understands all that goes into that decision and offers a wide range of choices for fit, style, and performance. We can help you select gear that fits your workforce as well as the job at hand.