Why is PPE Important in the Construction Industry?

by Startacus Admin

An overview of why using PPE and adhering to proper health and safety protocols is an absolute must for the construction sector.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become increasingly important over the past 18 months across many different industries, with more businesses looking to improve their health and safety standards. 

But industries such as manufacturing, construction and transportation have always had to keep a keen eye on their safety standards due to their innately higher risk of accidents and injuries. Indeed, in 2020 there were 81,000 construction workers who suffered work-related injuries – four times higher than the national average – which made the industry one of the most dangerous. 

Thankfully, with the use of PPE and proper health and safety protocols, construction sites can reduce the chances of serious incidents. 

What PPE is available? 

PPE is enforced no matter where you are on a work site. Some PPE only applies to certain jobs but there are others which are a necessity no matter where you work. It is important if you’re a business mainly in construction to ensure that the PPE suppliers in construction you’re using are offering high-quality and reliable equipment. 

• Hard hat – This is a necessity for all workers to minimise the risk from any objects falling from above or any bumps on the head. The hard hat reduces the impact and can prevent or reduce the severity of injuries. 

• Ear protection – This is important to protect workers from noise pollution. Noise is expected on a construction site and even small exposure can cause serious ear damage. 

• Foot protection – It is imperative that workers wear the correct footwear when working on a construction site as it is easy to damage or injure the muscles, tendons or bones in your foot. On a construction site, for best protection you will want steel toecap boots with a steel midsole to limit any injuries that could occur from a drop or stepping on something. 

Why is health and safety training important? 

Even if they provide their employees with the right PPE, construction sites still need to ensure that they have the right training to reduce the chance of injuries. Employees need to be safe in their working environment and must know what to do if an injury does occur. 

Signage and labels are required on a construction site as they are a quick and easy way for workers – once trained correctly – to know where it is safe and where it is dangerous. They are a good way to remind even the most experienced workers of the issues that can arise. 

Tools and equipment have to be correctly maintained and monitored. If workers are using tools that haven’t been maintained properly then the chance of injury increases; tool or equipment malfunctions represent one of the biggest dangers in a workplace. 

PPE is used not just to help an individual worker but to keep safe all your colleagues. When working on a construction site it is vital that you abide by the rules put in place to reduce as much as possible the risks of injuries or accidents. 

 

 

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Published on: 2nd December 2021