The right working gear
The work gear you need depends on what kind of construction site you are working on. But, with so many different types of work and safety equipment, where do you even start?
The easiest way is to look at what kinds of hazards are around. Ask yourself: Is there heavy construction equipment around? What about loud machines? Dust? Chemical vapors? Or do you need to be close to flames, electrical systems, or sharp items on the floor?
Once you answer these questions, then compare your results with OSHA’s guidelines, which detail which working gear you need, such as:
- Eye and face protection such as safety glasses and face shields
- Foot protection such as shoes and boots with slip and puncture-resistant soles. Safety-toed footwear is also recommended when heavy objects are a risk
- Hand protection in the form of properly fitting gloves, for the type of work you are doing. Such as heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work, welding gloves for welding, or insulated gloves and sleeves when you’re around electricity
- Head protection such as hard hats
- Hearing protection with earplugs or earmuffs
Save your knees from hard, cold, dirty and sharp surfaces
Knee pads are a must to prevent injuries if you’ll be kneeling down for long hours. But with so many different types, how do you know which one is right for you?
Here’s some quick tips to help you pick the best knee pads to round out your work gear:
- Check how long you’ll be on your knees. A few minutes throughout the day on dirt or mud? Or hours on end on sharp gravel? You’ll want gel and foam knee pads that can cushion your knees and support you well no matter what you’re doing
- When looking for the best fit for you, aim for knee pads that are easy to put on and take off. Also check how easy the straps are to adjust, and if you can move around easily with them on
- Regardless of the surface you’ll be kneeling on, you will need non-slip knee pads made from heavy-duty materials if they’re going to last longer than a week on the job
- And last, see if the knee pads slip over your pant leg, or under them. There are pros and cons to both types, so consider how you’ll be using them to help you decide
The eyes have it
Your eyes are your window to the world which means if you’re working around dust, chemicals, and other small particles, safety goggles are essential.
So here’s what you should look for when choosing high-quality safety goggles, in short, they should:
- Be comfortable to wear
- Come with anti-fog lenses
- Protect your eyes both from the front and sides with soft rubber
- Be scratch-resistant and can withstand flying objects
- Come ANSI certified
- Can be cleaned easily
- And don’t forget: if you wear prescription glasses, make sure your safety goggles are flexible to fit over them as well
