America is gradually returning to work after many people were forced into a hiatus due to health concerns. As people return to their places of employment, you can expect that safety will be their number one concern. Among the many ways you can help support your team’s safety desires, understanding the PPE types and providing what’s necessary should be a point of focus.
PPE stands for personal protective equipment. Below, we share five common types of PPE that you may be required to provide or may want to consider as an extra layer of protection.
1. Masks
It has been well-documented that masks help curb the spread of illness and dull the effects of inhaling dangerous chemicals. Therefore, providing your team with protective face coverings that adequately guard against whatever airborne hazards your line of business exposes workers is an excellent place to start with PPE.
Speak with your business attorney or an HR professional to understand which kinds of masks will meet or exceed your legal safety obligations. In addition, providers at sites like https://dmscoalition.com/ can guide where mask manufacturers exist if you run into supply line issues.
2. Protective Gloves
Companies that deal with chemicals provide rubberized gloves to their team members. However, with health concerns rising across America, workplaces that don’t deal with chemicals may want to invest in disposable gloves to prevent skin contact with joint surfaces.
3. Hard Hats/Helmets
Among the many types of PPE out there, hard hats may have been the most frequently seen up until the popularity of masks exploded.
Most states require hard hats when employees are asked to work in active construction zones. If an employee is asked to perform activities on a bike or motorcycle, you may be required to provide them with a more extensive helmet to protect against accidents on the road.
4. Safety Goggles
If your team works with lasers, gas, welding equipment, or chemicals, you’re likely required to provide them with safety goggles or a face protection equivalent. Face shields may be even more effective against eye accidents than goggles and may even fulfill mask requirements simultaneously.
5. Height Protection
Whether cleaning suspended windows or accessing items on shelves far off the ground, height protection and types of PPE must-have can prevent falls and deaths. There are several types of height protections you may want to consider. These might include body harnesses and energy absorbers, among others.
The height of the jobs you require your team to do will dictate the type of protection most appropriate for your business.
Understating and Providing Various Types of PPE Saves Lives
When business owners think about investing in various types of PPE, many chalks doing so up to another government-required burden. Try to get beyond that mindset and understand that by complying with PPE laws, you raise the chances of a person making it home to their family.
With that perspective, you’ll find yourself more open to putting money into your people and creating a compliant workplace.
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