subject: Getting To Grips With Construction Safety Clothing [print this page] Okay, so you work in the construction industry, and it doesn't matter what level you're working at, you will need to consider exactly what regulations relating to safety mean to you. If you don't it's more than likely that you'll come a-cropper at some stage as a result of a lack of site safety. This could have massive effects on your ability to maintain your livelyhood, so make sure you apply the rules.
If youre an employee, you still have an obligation to ensure your construction safety clothing is appropriately used. You are supposed to ensure you are properly clothed to protect yourself from natural elements, and general purpose work. Any other safety considerations are the responsibility of the employer. Its well worth remembering that this should not be at any extra cost to the worker.
Choosing the right kind of construction safety clothing is an important part of fulfilling your H&S obligations. You must ensure that they are selected in accordance with recognised standards, do not, in themselvesor in conjunction with other gearcreate a hazard of any kind, and are maintained to a sanitary a workable standard.
As well as regular maintenance, there are issues surrounding the procedure for dealing with out-of-date, or unworkable construction safety clothing. Firstly, and most simply, the item must be removed from service immediately. You must, in addition, make sure that it doesn't form any kind of hazard. In all likelyhood, this will be as a result of disposal. If, for example, a tunic has become contaminated with some kind of potentially dangerous chemical compound, it needs to be disposed of as such, and not simply dumped in a bin, which could cause a separate fire, or chemical issue. In addition to this, regular yearly reviews should take place on all construction safety clothing. All employees must make sure that tools and apparatus are inspected regularly.
One of the most common issues with construction safety clothing is with goggles. Often workers are trained to use goggles whenever there is potential of debris or chemical splash. Remember that this has implications regarding those who already wear glasses. If they do not match, it is the employers duty to find an appropriate, and safe, solution that doesnt require any additional cash layout on the part of the employee. Similarly, construction safety clothing must be properly fitted. If it is not, it will often cause a safety issue all on its own. If this is the case, its worse than useless.
Remember that correctly studying and applying the regulations for construction safety clothing is essential, and whats more, easy to do. It really isn't that complex, and it relies more on common sense than anything else.
