RJ Sullivan

Personal Protective Equipment - It Could Save Your Life Someday

Personal protective equipment is any safety equipment worn to protect the worker from dangers in the workplace.  It's use saves lives and injury every day and proper training is required by OSHA.

Thousands of people work in hazardous environments daily, but they remain safe from harm thanks to Personal Protective Equipment. This type of protective gear protects workers from being electrocuted, blinded, burnt, cut or struck. Falling objects, toxic chemicals and substances and malfunctioning machine parts can all contribute to potentially fatal accidents in the workplace. Dangerous workplaces include the assembly line or woodworking factories. Yet, most workers remain alive and well, as accidents are prevented and minimized.

Protective gear for the workplace could include work gloves, eye protection and a hard hat. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) statistics show that despite the provision of these items, on-the-job injuries still occur and are often crippling as the equipment is not used properly or used at all. The bulk of workers that experience hand injuries, do so when gloves are not worn. Regulations have to be adhered to when it comes to the use and maintenance of protective equipment.

For those workers that work with welding torches or other intense sources of light, should wear safety glasses with lenses that contain special optical filters. The shade numbers on the glasses indicate the type of light conditions that they offer adequate protection. Goggles will be required in factories where liquid chemicals are used. Such goggles have to fit snugly.

Vapors, fumes, mist, dust and other airborne hazards are averted with air-purifying respirators. In less severe situations, disposable masks will prevent particles from entering the mouth and nose. These masks are made from fibers that keep hazardous particles and contaminants out of your nose and mouth. A respirator works with filters to provide protection for your lungs in situations where oxygen is limited of contaminated with toxins.

Hard hats are one of the most common tools and protect the head from falling objects, exposed electrical wires near the head, or falls. If you work in areas with low ceilings, these will protect you too. For the feet, special work boots are available that boasts non-slip soles. To ensure your safety in the workplace, be sure to wear all the relevant Personal Protective Equipment that apply to your job.

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