Here’s what safety equipment your staff should be wearing

If you want to keep your staff safe at work, PPE – personal protective equipment – is essential.

Good quality PPE can protect workers from all kinds of health and safety hazards, from unsafe materials to falling debris. PPE will also allow your staff to be seen clearly by others, so good tool suppliers are essential.

PPE will also make your staff feel safer at work while making sure you comply with your duty to keep them safe.

Headwear

Head injuries are one of the most common causes of fatal accidents on industrial sites, making it vital to protect your workers with suitable headwear.

Helmets provide the best form of protection in this department. When you’re purchasing helmets, make sure to check for any cracks or wear and tear before giving them to your staff.

You should also make sure the helmets fit your staff properly and are fastened securely with a strap.

Safety footwear

Falling or sharp objects and any heavy impact activities can cause risk to your staff’s feet when working.

Safety footwear is the best way to lower the risk of any injuries. The type you need will depend on the type of activities your staff are carrying out, so you should consider your needs carefully.

Safety boots or shoes are the most common type of secure footwear, and often have safety features such as non-slip soles and steel toecaps.

Eye protection

Proper eye protection is also vital for preventing hazardous material from damaging your staff’s vision.

Usually, protection takes the form of glasses or goggles to be worn in the workplace.

You should ensure that any goggles or glasses you order are fitted properly and have non-fogging properties to allow for maximum visibility.

High visibility clothing

Making sure your staff are highly visible on site is vital to prevent accidents.

This is particularly important where vehicles are being used, and also allows members of the public to recognise where potentially dangerous construction is taking place.

High visibility clothing can take a number of different forms, but jackets and vests are the most commonly worn.

Hearing protection

High levels of noise in the workplace can put a strain on your employees’ hearing and potentially cause long-term damage.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 says that hearing protection must be provided where noise exceeds 85 dB on a daily or weekly basis for an employee.

Ear muffs are one of the most common forms of protection, and can be attached to safety helmets too.

You must make sure the equipment you provide is in line with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

Providing the appropriate PPE for your staff is essential for safely carrying out work where multiple health risks a present. Be sure that you supply the correct safety equipment in accordance with your risk assessment to protect both your staff and your business.