Without due care and consideration, construction sites can be dangerous and potentially lethal work environments for the unprepared. All contractors involved in construction projects, and those responsible for them, should ensure that they are equipped with adequate PPE for the site in question, and that said PPE is an appropriate fit for the individuals in question (for example, a lose fitting respiratory mask is often completely ineffective when it comes to protecting its wearer from harmful particles). In this article, we will take a look at key areas of PPE that all construction contractors need to consider before entering a work site. 

Head Protection for Construction Workers

With construction contractors at constant risk at bumping their head or being hit by falling items, it is essential that adequate head PPE is worn when on construction sites. Helmets should be checked to make sure that the fit is not so tight that it will cause discomfort, but not so lose that it will easily fall off.

Hearing PPE for Construction Workers

Noise is a constant hazard on construction sites, whether obvious or not. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus are threats to anyone exposed to excessive noise. This threat increases as noise levels rise, so not only should safety officers ensure that construction workers are wearing hearing PPE in such situations, but also that it is appropriately rated for the decibel levels in that construction environment. 

Face & Eye Protection for Construction Workers

Face & eye protection should never be neglected when it comes to providing PPE for construction contractors; workers engaged on construction sites are at constant risk of their faces/eyes being exposed to debris, dust, shards and even chemical or paint splashes. Face shields, visors, safety glasses and safety goggles are available from a variety of manufacturers, and safety officers should give due consideration to the risks their contractors are exposed to when selecting eye & face protection. As with all other areas of PPE, it is vitally important that the fit is right for each individual worker.

Respiratory PPE for Construction Contractors

Dust and harmful sprays are another risk faced by construction workers. As such, safety officers need to make sure that appropriate respiratory PPE is worn by construction contractors. There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to respiratory PPE and care must be taken to ensure that the masks are appropriate to the risk in question.

Hand Protection for Construction Workers

Hands take a lot of hardship on construction sites. Fortunately, a variety of hand PPE (i.e. gloves) are available. However, once again, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to selecting gloves for construction contractors. Those involved in cutting materials will need to make sure that the gloves they’re wearing have the required cut rating for the risks posed. Likewise, those handling harmful chemicals should be equipped with hand PPE for these substances. 

High Visibility Clothing for Construction Workers

The adage be safe, be seen applies to construction sites as it does to walkers on the road. It is of the utmost importance that construction contractors can be clearly seen by operators of machinery, cranes, or vehicles engaged on a construction site. Hi-Vis garments come in many forms, from vests to full jackets to trousers. They should be kept clean and visible at all times, and worn or dirty garments should be replaced (wearing a hi-vis covered in grime, for example, is as effective as wearing no hi-viz at all). 

Fall Arrest Systems and Harnesses for Construction Workers

Those involved in working at heights on construction sites should be equipped with effective fall arrest equipment, often in the form of a safety harness. This should be kept in good order and inspected at appropriate intervals. Once more, the importance of this PPE being a good fit for the individual construction worker can never be overstated.

Knee Pads for Construction Workers

With knee injuries being one of the most frequent injuries faced by constrution workers, it is important to always wear appropriate knee pads when working on building sites. Not only do construction workers face the risk of knee injury due to impact, they are also exposed to less obvious damage sustained over time, for instance, constant kneeling on a hard surface. Knee pads should be checked for an appropriate fit, and replaced as wear occurs.

Safety Footwear for Construction Contractors

From striking heavy objects to slipping to walking on sharp objects, foot injuries are another constant risk that construction contractors and their superiors need to be mindful of. Safety footwear is a must, but it’s not as simple as that—those procuring safety footwear need to consider the environment in which they will be used. For instance, are ladders used by the workers in question? If so, ladder grip, or LG, should be looked for when reviewing the spec sheets for the safety footwear. Is ESD-rated footwear necessary? Is there a slip risk? Are the workers walking on uneven surfaces where there is a risk of twisting their ankle? All of these factors should be considered when selecting safety footwear for construction workers.