Personal Protection Equipment

Everyone has the right to a safe workplace. Improve workplace safety by providing personal protection equipment (PPE) for jobs that put employees at risk for injuries to their eyes, hands, and head. It's not just good common sense. In many cities and provinces, it's also the law.

Keeping employees safe and healthy on the job:

Increases productivity
Reduces workplace injuries
Keeps you in compliance with government regulations
Helps you avoid costly fines and lawsuits

Eye Protection

Each year, thousands of workers are blinded or suffer severe eye injuries while on the job. The majority of these injuries could have easily been prevented with the use of eye protection.

When to Use Eye Protection

Jobs requiring safety glasses, goggles, or face shields include any work that could produce dusty conditions or flying particles such as slivers of wood, metal, plastic, plaster, etc.

Always wear protective eyewear when performing these types of jobs:

Hammering, sanding, or grinding
Using power tools such as drills, nail guns, saws, or routers
Working with chemicals, even common cleaners like ammonia and bleach
Landscaping with mowers, trimmers, edgers, and chainsaws
Working with cement, sealers, or drywall
Welding

Hand Protection

Protective gloves should be selected based on the type of work being done and the possible hazards associated with that work. Wearing protective work gloves helps prevent injuries such as:

Burns
Bruises, abrasions, and cuts
Skin punctures
Fractures and amputations
Skin contact with harmful substances

Types of Gloves

All gloves do not protect equally. The most common types of protective gloves used in the workplace include:

Disposable Gloves protect against contamination and are used in janitorial, food service, and healthcare settings. Disposable gloves can be made of nitrile, latex, polyurethane, or bi-polymer materials.
All-Purpose Cotton Gloves improve grip, protect against dirt, and insulate. Available in different weights and blends like jersey cotton, coated cotton, terry, and more.
Leather Gloves offer protection against cuts and abrasions.

Choose the Right Glove for the Job

Head Protection

A head injury can cause permanent brain damage or even death. Hard hats are the easiest way to protect yourself and your employees from serious head trauma.

In general, hard hats should do the following:

Resist penetration by objects
Absorb the shock of a blow
Be water-resistant and slow burning
Have clear instructions explaining proper adjustment and replacement of the suspension and headband

When to Use Hard Hats

Provide proper head protection whenever there is the possibility of:

Objects falling from above
Bumping into overhead pipes or beams, or other fixed objects
Accidental head contact with electrical hazards

When to Replace Hard Hats

Hard hats do not last forever and should be inspected before every use. Over time, the protective qualities diminish due to regular use and exposure to temperature, sunlight, and chemicals. While the service life of a hard hat is generally five years, you should always replace hard hats that have suffered impact, penetration, or damage.

Safety Apparel Protection

Safety apparel should be worn whenever employees are exposed to potential hazards such as weather, chemicals, insecticides, paint, and more. To reduce the chance of bodily injury, safety apparel should fit properly and be comfortable to wear.

Types of Safety Garments:

Coveralls should be used when painting, patching, spraying pesticides, or handling other hazardous liquids.
Safety Vests should be highly visible and worn when working outdoors, in low light conditions, or in parking lots and near traffic areas.
Rain Suits help protect against inclement weather, liquids, and splashes.

Employees should be trained on the correct use of safety apparel to prevent misuse and a false sense of security. Workers should know when to use it, how to properly put it on and take it off, and understand the limits of the protection they're using.