eyes

Different Equipment For Your Safety

With regards to industrial strength safety equipment that meets the approval for ansi and osha, most things are mainly concerned with the protection of the eye and head. There are, however, many other pieces of safety equipment that allow the protection of other vital parts of the body, such as the face, the back and knees. Whilst in some industries safety equipment is mandatory, for some workers the decision to purchase safety equipment is optional. The following items are pieces that should be considered.

Head and Face Protection

The use of protective headgear and a shield will provide the best level of safety for the head and face. On a construction site, the risk of heavy objects falling from above an employee is high and chemicals used in the workplace can also result in hazards. A protective visor will allow protection of the face. Shields that are heat resistant, such as the “Willson Protecto-Shield Headgear”, offer a high degree of protection.

Ear Protection

A worker’s hearing can be severely affected by the relentless noise of machinery and the ear piercing scream of drills. High quality ear plugs, such as the “LASER-Lite″ earplug are a necessity in this case. They are made from a material that does not cause irritation, come in a variety of colors and they fit snugly into the ear canal. Some have cords whilst others do not. It is also possible to purchase reusable earplugs and if you have sensitive ears, then there are lightweight ear muffs. The “Bilsom Viking V1″ is an example. These can come with a headstrap.

Eye Protection

Some of the most frequently experienced injuries in the workplace are caused to the eye. These may be as a result of chemical splashes or through a sharp piece of machinery puncturing the lens. Eyes are susceptible to injuries through careless work practices. To prevent such injuries, a pair of safety glasses or osha approved prescription goggles should be worn. These are made to protect the eyes from chemical injury or through impact injury. An example is the “Centurian” that covers both of these causes with its “Chemical Splash” and “Impact Resistant” models.

Hand Protection

Hand protection can come in many different guises to suit the variety of jobs that must be performed. You may require gloves for medical work, for general purpose work or gloves that offer chemical resistance. Whether the gloves are cotton, latex, leather or other material, there are many options available. One example of chemical resistant gloves is the “PowerCoat nitrile” selection, which, because they offer a high level of protection are an excellent choice for many tasks including motor vehicle assembly and the processing of food.

Body Coverage

In some occupations it may become necessary to completely or even partially cover your body. A company that offers this sort of protection is Tyvek. They supply coveralls, pants with elastic waists and lab coats with pockets as well as boot covers, safety aprons and back supports.

Joint Protection

For occupations that require the strenuous use of your body, you may need to protect your joints. Elbow and kneepads will offer some protection for these areas of the body. One company that supplies such protection is “Alta”; their “Proline” kneepads are great and their “Superflex”, available in black, are a good choice for roofers.

Breathing Protection

There are many jobs where it is possible that you may be breathing in harmful substances as well as irritants such as dust and dirt. This is where a respirator is useful. “3M” are industry leaders in this area of protective equipment.