Around the world, different people and companies carry out construction activities. The activities range from buildings, roads, and bridges. They form an essential part of the day-to-day activities human beings undertake. Having safety measures in place is necessary to ensure that the whole process runs smoothly.
Getting the right clothes and gear is an integral part of the safety measures to be taken. Before embarking on a construction process, all the workers and site visitors should ensure that they get the proper clothing to protect them from injury.
The Right Gear
There are different clothing and gear that you’ll need when working or visiting a construction site. You can get the gear by yourself, or the company you are working for could provide for you. Either way, you must have them on always.
Here’s a list of the clothing and gear you’ll need:
#1. Work Boots
Work boots are essential protective gear. If you want to acquire them, you can check on stores like Ever Boots – mens waterproof work boots for sale and purchase the right boot depending on your work’s nature. The footwear will protect your feet from injuries, such as nail pricks, stone cuttings, and infections caused by wet feet.
#2. Helmets And Hard Hats
The head is a crucial body part that should be protected. An injury to the head may be fatal, and hence, protection is very important. Having a helmet or any other protective headgear will caution your head against falls, injury caused by construction equipment, being hit by falling objects, and bumping the head on protruding obstacles. Protecting your head may give you the confidence to work better.
#3. Gloves
Construction requires a lot of handy work. This means workers will regularly use their hands. By having the proper protection such as gloves, you protect your hands against injuries. Hand protection also cautions against harmful materials such as cement and lime that may cause the skin to peel off.
When dealing with chemicals that could be hazardous, it’s essential to get suitable gloves to prevent the chemicals from penetrating the skin. Welding requires leather gloves as they hardly burn when in contact with the sparks.
#4. Knee Pads
Knee pads will protect your knee on the occasions where you have to kneel to get your work done. Such occasions include when nailing or sawing timbers. The pads will also prevent bruises when you knock your knee on obstacles or when you fall.
#5. Protective Glasses
One characteristic of the environment around construction sites is the presence of dust particles, flying objects, and debris. This dust could be from cement or dug grounds. When you have protective eyewear on, it will prevent the dust from entering your eyes and causing further injuries. The glasses may also protect your eyes from harmful rays when welding.
#6. Reflector Jackets
Jackets are essential, especially for people who work the night shift or in places with low light. It helps the people around you notice you as the light will reflect off your jacket. It’ll help reduce accidents that may be caused due to unawareness of a person’s presence.
#7. Earplugs And Muffs
Loud noises will likely accompany the activities in a construction site. To some people, this may not be a problem, but it could negatively affect others. It’s important to get earplugs or muffs to cushion your inner ear from noises to be safe. Such loud noises could affect a person in the long term and might cause hearing problems.
#8. Overalls And Aprons
Overalls and aprons not only protect you when working on a site but also help you work better. Overalls cover your whole body, protecting your body from getting in contact with harmful substances. If you’ve worn clean clothes, overalls will also prevent them from getting dirty. The baggy nature of this clothing allows for flexibility and easy movements when working.
Some aprons and overalls have pockets that come in handy when you need to handle small equipment such as nails and small harmers. This enables the workers to have an easy time working.
Importance Of Having The Right Clothing
Having the right gear and clothing may enable you to work properly. It could be beneficial to both the construction workers and the company.
Such benefits include:
Improves Safety
Having the right gear on during construction is very important as it improves the safety of the construction workers and visitors. This helps to prevent accidents that, at times, may be fatal.
Prevents Legal Action
In some countries, it’s required for a company or contractor to provide safety gear to workers. In case of an accident and it was proven that the company didn’t provide the proper worker attire, the company may face legal actions. It’s therefore essential for a company to get the proper clothing for the workers.
Offers Comfort To Workers
Workers may increase their output if they work in a safe environment. Having the right gear increases their safety and ease of movement during work. The confidence of the workers may grow, and this will contribute significantly to their work ethics.
Be Aware Of Workmates
Wearing clothes such as reflector jackets and uniform overalls will help workers to be aware of each other. This will enhance the safety around them and also improve the coordination between them. Awareness in workplaces will enable workers to know about each other. As a result, they could take care of each other better during work hours.
Good Reputation
A company that provides essential gear for its workers can build its reputation. In case of a site visit by construction authorities and regulators or regular visitors, they may leave positive feedback if they see that they are well cared for by the company. A positive review may help a company grow.
Conclusion
Having the proper clothing on a construction site is more of a necessity than an option. The importance of having essential clothing can’t be overlooked as it may bring an increase in productivity. A company needs to ensure that it has all the essential attire before commencing any work as it’ll help prevent so many accidents and inconveniences.
A worker needs to check all the gear assigned to them and ensure that they’re not faulty. Cracks on helmets and glasses can be addressed and changed for proper tools to increase the chances of being safe during working.
