PPB January 2020

Safe And Sound ‘Taking Care Of Business’ To be prepared for a job, there are certainmaterials that hands-on workers require. Construction Today provides a list of protective equipment that is mandatory for construction workers, specifically: face shields, safety glasses or goggles; ear muffs or earplugs; slip- and puncture-resistant shoes or boots with a steel-enforced toe; task-specific gloves and a hard hat. Without this equipment, construction workers wouldn’t be permitted on the job site, and if they were, it could pose a serious threat to themselves and others, and could have financial and/or legal implications for the employer. This equipment, however, also creates an opportunity for companies to provide their workers with top-of-the-line safety products, while proudly sporting the company’s logo. It’s a win-win. For construction workers, these products make their jobs easier, safer and more efficient. At the same time, the logoed gear can also signify to others, whether competitors, prospective clients or consumers, that the company has invested in first-rate equipment for employees, which signifies they care about their employees’ wellbeing. The branded gear also serves as a way to identify projects the company is currently working on and has completed, which helps with brand recognition. Choosing The Right Gear The difference between a safe employee and an unsafe employee may hinge on the protective gear being used. When helping clients navigate the process of ordering the proper gear for their client, consider the following three areas. The industry. The differences in safety gear vary from job to job. Consider what a coal worker might wear versus a carpenter. Both are required to wear protective headgear and clothing, but they are different, and depend, of course, on the associated work environments and climate. Familiarize yourself with the safety requirements for the particular industry you’re focusing on andmake it a point to learn about the general safety gear and apparel worn by workers in this sector. The regulations. Although general workplace standards have been set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are other standards that may apply. For instance, 1910.269 of the OSH Act requires employers to ensure that employees working in environments where fires or electrical explosions are possible wear flame-resistant clothing. In addition, the National Fire Protection Association developed its own NFPA 70E standard, which is a comprehensive instructional guide on electrical safety and associated workplace practices for protecting employees. The verbiage. When helping a client navigate safety apparel for end users, there’s a plethora of terms used by OSHA to refer to different classifications. In the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015, for instance, instruction is provided about high-visibility apparel, which categorizes apparel into types and performance classes. The three types include Type O (off-road workers), Type R (roadway workers) and Type P (public safety workers), and the classes include Performance Class 1-3, Supplemental Class E and Optional High-Visibility Accessories. Different design standards concerning the fabrics andmaterials used in the clothing are outlined for each type and class. To ensure all regulations are properly followed, distributors can refresh their knowledge of these terms and classifications to ensure the client receives products that are both safe and meet all current safety requirements. A full list of OSHA’s regulations can be found on www.osha.gov/laws-regs. Working with a client whose end users work in a particularly loud environment? Ensure the workers’ hearing is protected with the Radians Deterrent 32 Disposable 250 Pair Earplugs . The made-in-the-USA earplugs feature soft, slow- recovery foam for signi cant noise reduction and, of course, comfort. The yellow and green earplugs slowly expand for a low-pressure, custom t, and are available in corded and uncorded options. Each set is packaged in an individual polybag and meet ANSI S3.19 standards. Radians / PPAI 589231, S01 / www.radians.com When manual labor requires workers to kneel for long periods of time, it can quickly become uncomfortable. The High-Visibility Knee Pads can provide a solution. Offered in high-visibility yellow, they feature brass-riveted hard caps, an adjustable, elastic, hook-and-loop closure, and are ergonomically curved for a snug t. Global Glove / PPAI 738803, S01 / www.globalglove.com | JANUARY 2020 | 19