Forum Discussion

RichardM's avatar
RichardM
Contributor 4
3 days ago

You down with PPE? Yeah, you know me!

Google AI explains it as

"Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to any clothing or equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards in the workplace and protect the wearer's health and safety. PPE is considered the last line of defense when other controls cannot eliminate or reduce the hazard adequately."

 

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/chainsaw-worker-ppe-2396616/

I've always viewed personal protective equipment (PPE) as my primary shield for staying safe and healthy on the job. With machinery that can spin at speeds up to 10,000 RPM, it’s essential to prioritize my protection.

What about you? What PPE do you typically use in your work?

For me, I rely on:

  • Ear protection: Since most of our tools operate at high decibel levels, it’s crucial to safeguard my hearing. I personally prefer foam earplugs over earmuffs for comfort.
  • Eye protection: When handling equipment like line trimmers, mowers, chainsaws, and blowers, debris can go flying everywhere. I want to ensure my eyes stay safe from any potential hazards.
  • Safety boots: I opt for high-rise boots with steel or composite toes and plates to protect my feet.
  • Long pants: These are important for shielding my legs from rocks and other materials that can become projectiles.
  • Sun hat: Keeping my head and shoulders covered helps shield me from the sun's rays while I work. Remember, taking these precautions not only keeps us safe but also helps us enjoy our work without worry!

One more important type of PPE—at least in my view—is knowledge! It’s really vital to have as many staff members trained in First Aid as possible.

2 Replies

  • Moly's avatar
    Moly
    Jobber Community Team

    My brother is a foreman and ear, eye, and safety boots are required. There's also a lot of emphasis on processes for enclosed spaces, etc. He works for companies that take safety seriously because the consequences are literally fatal.

    That's really opened my eyes to how great it is when businesses do safety tailgate talks, take PPE seriously, etc. and how that's actually an employer differentiator bc unfortunately not every business puts enough focus on safety.

  • I own a cleaning company and we use gloves for sure.  Also, we only work in closed toe shoes (we have indoor shoes for cleaning the homes) and long pants only.  Absolutely no mixing of chemicals so we don't need masks.