Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Safety Workwear And Some Of The Options Available

By Craig White


In recent times, there have been giant strides made in the manufacture of safety workwear. Clothing and equipment is now specialized to suit particular trades and professions, covering every safety angle imaginable. Whatever your occupation, be it butcher, lecturer or painter, there are specific items which will help you stay safe during your working hours.

High-visibility clothing is one of the top-selling groups of items. Not only workmen but many others wear these to make them more visible to motorists and others. Men's and women's shirts, pants, vests, jackets, hoodies and overalls are available in bright orange or yellow. Reflector stripes give added protection, especially when visibility is poor.

Steel-capped boots are standard wear in industrial areas. Those working as manual laborers also need this type of protection. Extra long boots give added protection to the upper ankle. Fastening may be by zip and/or laces. Some workmen prefer elastic-sided footwear. Safety footwear has good resistance to various chemicals and acids. They will also withstand excessive heat and are water repellent.

Slip-on sports shoes are also available with steel caps. These are ideal for administration staff who need to access industrial sites. The soles are resistant to heat up to 130 degrees Celsius. They will also withstand exposure to most chemicals and acids.

Hard hats are obligatory on many sites. When working outside, a brim can be added. These often have a flap at the back to protect the neck. Brow guards are another option. These have clear visors which don't fog. They give almost total UV protection.

To protect the eyes from chemical splashes and scratches, goggles should be worn. They will also guard against UV rays. If wearing goggles for long periods, choose those with wide straps and foam padding. Goggles are often worn in conjunction with dust masks.

Some trades produce undesirable air-borne particles. These need to be filtered from the air being breathed in by operators in the area. Respirators may be a simple, disposable cloth mask or a more complicated affair with replaceable filters. Adjustment points ensure that masks fit snugly against the face.

Working in noisy conditions over long periods of time can result in industrial deafness. Wearing earmuffs will help prevent such a condition. Modern earmuffs will protect the ears from noise to 110 decibels. Some muffs clamp to a hard hat. Choose those with a low clamping force. These will stay comfortable when worn for long periods. However they must still fit well. Small, foam earplugs are another option. These are disposable and can be purchased in bulk in pairs. A cord is often used to join the two plugs together so they hang around the neck when not needed.

The hands can also be protected by safety workwear. Latex disposable gloves, fingerless gloves, riggers and chemical gloves are some of the options available. Long (45mm) PVC gloves give protection against grease, oil and chemicals. Liner gloves made of interlock poly/cotton give more comfort. Where loss of feeling interferes with a person's work, gloves which incorporate Lycra in their make-up should be chosen. Along with good grip, such gloves follow the contours of the hand. Grip is not compromised whatever the conditions. Working in hazardous environments is now much safer.




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