Safety is a major concern among skilled and day laborers. Each year, accidents occur in hazardous professions, resulting in the injuries and deaths of many workers. Unfortunately, most of these accidents occur due to the absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Generally, PPE is any equipment that protects you against hazards or physical harm, ranging from wet floors to falling debris. Despite the importance of PPE, many workers forgo wearing them, putting themselves and other employees at risk.
If you work in a hazardous environment, here are five reasons why you should wear and use PPE.
1. It Protects You
PPE is specially designed to protect you and reduce your exposure to hazards. For instance, by wearing a hard hat on a construction site, you can protect your head against flying or falling objects that may cause deadly injuries.
Other PPE that protect your body include:
• Safety goggles and full-face shields to protect you from metal and wood particles
• Respirators and breathing apparatus to shield you from inhaling toxic substances
• Heat resistant and shield resistant gloves to prevent hand injuries
• Earplugs and earmuffs to prevent occupational hearing loss
The right PPE can go a long way in protecting your safety and health.
2. It Increases The Quality Of Your Workday
Quality PPE offers laborers a support system of sorts when working in hazardous environments. For example, if your job involves heights, wearing a safety harness provides a sense of security by minimizing the risk of falling.
Alternatively, a weight belt offers stability for tasks that demand heavy lifting, giving you peace of mind knowing you won’t go home with a strained muscle or broken back. Therefore, you’re able to work better when you know you have something to cushion and protect you should an accident occur.
3. It Can Stop Accidents
While PPE protects you from the results of an accident, others can prevent and stop one from occurring. For example, a safety lanyard can stop you from falling by securing you to a platform. The right footwear can also prevent you from slipping on wet floors by enhancing your grip.
4. The Law Requires It
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), all employers must protect their workers from workplace hazards that can cause illness or injury by providing quality PPE. And, every employee is required to use any PPE provided to them by their employer.
Therefore, if you want to comply with the law, always wear and use your PPE when working.
5. It’s Your Last Line Of Defense
In the event of an accident, your PPE acts as the last line of defense. This is because it stands between your body and any final or remaining risk, no matter how small. For instance, during a slip and fall accident, safety gloves can minimize your hand’s impact to the ground, preventing cuts and bruises.
Wearing and using PPE on site is your duty and responsibility. Remember, you only have one body to protect.
Contact us today if you’re looking for quality PPE for your organization.