What Construction Safety Gear Should You Always Have Onsite?

Construction workers are used to working in risky situations, and they understand that construction safety gear is crucial to protecting themselves and those around them.

Not only that, but it’s much easier to get a job done well when you can move freely and not worry about getting injured.

Though not every construction job is created equally, it goes without saying that there are some basic construction safety equipment pieces that every job site should offer.

Check out this personal protective equipment list to make sure you’re covered:

Construction Safety Gear Should Always Include Good Workboots

One of the most essential pieces of construction safety gear is a sturdy, comfortable construction work boot. There are many good options for a dependable work boot with some suited for certain kinds of working environments.

Look for work boots that are both comfortable and durable. There are some work boots that are made out of material that allows your feet to breathe which will reduce sweating and keep the risk of developing athlete’s foot low.

Some boots have special soles that are made to keep you safe on different kinds of surface including wet floors, soggy dirt, hard concrete, and slippery surfaces.

Other boots come equipped with metal plates (steel-toed boots) that have been placed inside of the boots to protect your feet and toes. If you drop heavy construction material on your foot, steel-toed boots will keep your feet safe from serious injury.

Sturdy Protection For Eyes And Face

When you’re on a construction job, there are lots of materials that can fly into your eyes and damage them. You should take care to always wear reliable eye protection when you’re on a job.

Jobs that require eye protection include working with concrete, harmful chemicals, engaging in sanding or cutting, or working on a welding project. Eyewear might include a full face shield or safety glasses.

When choosing protective construction safety gear for your face, find something that is fitted to your face, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable to wear. Employers should provide eye and face protection to all their employees free of charge.

Protection For Hands And Head

Don’t attempt any construction job without protecting your hands and your head first. Many preventable accidents happen to construction workers who haven’t been careful about protecting their head. And injuries to the head are often the most serious.

Hard hats and gloves are the most common forms of construction site protection for covering your hands and head. Choose your gloves based on the type of job you’ll be performing. Choose gloves with a snug fit so they don’t get caught on things as you work.

A hard hat will protect your head from getting bumped or from any heavy fallen objects. Only wear hats that are in good condition and fit properly. Check your hard hats regularly for dents and replace them as needed. Hard hats and gloves should also be provided, free of charge, by construction managers to their workers to ensure their safety.

Construction-friendly Clothing Is A Must

Though the benefits of wearing proper clothing on a construction job may not seem as obvious as wearing a hard hat or sturdy boots, the right work attire serves an important purpose.

Some construction sites can expose workers to hazard environments like extreme weather conditions or dangerous jobs. Construction clothing should suit the need. If you need high visibility clothing because you’ll be close to traffic, or working late, make sure you wear it. If you’re going to be near a lot of heat or friction, such as with a welding job, look for flame retardant clothing.

Make sure that the clothing you buy fits you well. Avoid clothing that’s too tight which can restrict your movement. Clothing that’s too loose can get caught on things around you which can cause accident or injury.

Fall Protection Equipment

Fall protection is an absolute must at construction zones where there is any risk of a worker falling. While all employers are required by law to have a fall protection system in place, workers should be proactive about their own safety and examine fall protection equipment before it’s used.

Make sure that the equipment is working well and that it isn’t damaged. If the fall protection equipment has sustained any damage, report it and don’t use it. If you use damaged equipment, you might suffer a fall and subsequent injury.

Fall protection systems usually include lifelines and some type of lanyards that clip to a sturdier surface or safety net. These tools keep workers from falling, often from great heights. Having this equipment in place has saved many workers’ lives.

Noise Reduction Protection

Construction sites are not known for being quiet. Workers who spend lots of time at noisy construction sites are at risk for hearing loss if they don’t protect their hearing. On jobs with high noise such as chainsaws or other heavy equipment, use earplugs or earmuffs to lessen the noise.

Respiratory Protection

Dust particles and toxic fumes are not healthy to breathe, but these are often present on a construction job site. Protect your lungs with respirators as you work.

There are two main types of respirators: those that protect against particles and those that protect against gas and vapors. If you work with hazardous vapors, an air-purifying respirator is required. If you’re often exposed to dust, find a well-fitted filtering facepiece, like a N95 mask Australia.

Find Reliable Tools

There’s lots of statistics that’ll tell you that a job in construction can be a risky business. But it doesn’t have to be so risky.

For reliable construction safety gear for all of your workers, we’ve got you covered. Find all the tools you need on our website or contact us via our contact page about specific equipment requirements.

We specialise in providing construction workers with all the equipment they need to get the job done safely and to get the job done right.