3 Tips for Buying Safety Equipment for Your Construction Workers

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Construction workers are usually exposed to risks and accidents that can cause bodily injury or death. These accidents include slips, trips, being hit by moving or falling objects, electrocution and falls. As the principal contractor, you can prevent accidents and injuries by providing safety equipment to your workers. Therefore, consider these tips when buying safety gear and equipment for your workers.

Assess risks on the site

Before commencing construction work, you must evaluate the risks and hazards workers will face throughout the project. Construction risk assessment allows contractors to provide the required safety equipment and training to mitigate hazards. Some common risks include the following:

• Being hit by heavy machinery
• Being hit by falling objects
• Electrocution from power lines
• Falling from a great height
• Exposure to hazardous materials, such as lead and asbestos
• Noise from tools and machinery
• Airborne dust

Each site has unique hazards. Therefore, you need the right equipment to mitigate the risks on your construction site. For example, if your workers will be working at great heights, you need scaffolds and fall protection equipment. Similarly, if you are undertaking rigging jobs, you should provide hard hats to prevent injuries from falling objects.

List the required safety equipment

Safety equipment can be classified into various categories. These include the following:

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE includes eye, face and hand gear, footwear and hearing and head protection. Some examples include face shields, safety glasses, work boots, hard hats, gloves and earmuffs.

Fall protection equipment

Fall protection equipment protects workers from the risk of falling while working at height. Examples of fall protection equipment include scaffolds, lanyards, full-body harnesses and suspension equipment systems.

Barricading and signage

Barricades and construction signage are used to cordon off high-risk sections of the site. For example, you can use temporary fencing, railing, demarcation tape and signage to block off rigging or excavation sites to prevent accidents and injuries.

Personal protective gear isn't the only type of safety equipment you need for your site. Consider other types of safety equipment that can increase worker safety and reduce accidents on the site.

Check for faults in protection equipment

Both new and used equipment can have faults that may compromise worker safety. When buying new PPE and fall protection equipment, look out for manufacturer defects. Check used equipment for signs of misuse or wear and tear. These include the following:

• Abrasions and tears
• Chemical corrosion and damage
• Cracks, chips and deformities
• UV damage

All safety equipment should be inspected by a competent inspector before use. When buying used equipment, make sure it is not nearing the end of its usable life, as this can compromise effectiveness and safety.

Keep the above issues in mind when buying safety equipment for your construction site.

27 September 2021