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Personal Protective Equipment Prevents Job-Site Injuries
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The National Safety Council offer tips on how to avoid injuries by wearing personal protective equipment. | Following is some practical advice from the National Safety Council on how to avoid injuries on the work site by wearing personal protective equipment. The council is promoting safety information this June in celebration of National Safety Month.
These pointers are taken from the council’s publication, “PPE Awareness”:
- Give safety a head start. If you need a hard hat, make sure it fits right and that the suspension is adjusted properly.
- Ask your safety supervisor to recommend the right kind of eye protection for the job. Be sure to take into account prescription glasses or contact lenses.
- Protect your hearing with ear plugs or ear muffs. And try to reduce the amount of time you’re exposed to noise.
- If you use chemicals or cleaning solvents, wear gloves and protective clothing that resist chemicals.
- Always protect your hands from injury. Take off rings, bracelets and watches before you start work. Use gloves that are appropriate to the work you’re doing.
- If you use respiratory protection, never use a respirator that doesn’t fit securely, has become clogged or damaged or one through which you can smell contaminants.
- Full-body protection may be necessary against hazardous materials, sparks, radiation and temperature extremes.
- Wear the correct safety footwear for your work. Have it fitted by an expert so it fits right and feels comfortable. The ANSI-Z41 label inside means your footwear meets recognized safety standards.
- Remember, PPE only works if you wear it! Put it on, leave it on and take good care of it.
For information on NAHB resources on construction safety and health, e-mail Rob Matuga at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8507.
 Protect Your Workers and Your Profits
The “Jobsite Safety Video,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides an overview of the key safety issues residential builders and workers need to focus on to reduce accidents and injuries. Based on the “NAHB-OSHA Jobsite Safety Handbook,” this DVD is intended to be used as part of an essential residential construction safety-training program and includes two 20-minute videos.
To view or purchase this DVD online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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