Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for Construction Workers 

Construction is an occupation that presents more safety hazards than most industries. It is important to have workers wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for work to progress and move forward in a safe way.

Why is PPE important?

The nature of construction has many inherit hazards. Having PPE will reduce the worker’s exposure to those hazards. Even though construction sites are carefully planned and controlled, there are aspects of the job that cannot be predicted, and having PPE will help reduce the risk on a broader scale.

What are the different types of PPE?

The different types of PPE include but not limited to:

Work boots

On construction sites you will be exposed to heavy equipment and machinery. Wearing steel cap boots with non-slip soles will reduce the risk of falls in wet conditions, and will protect your feet if something falls on them or drives over them.

Hard Hats

There are many unforeseeable objects around the construction site, and it is essential to have a hard hat to protect your head from bumps or falling objects. Hard hats also have an additional role in shielding you from electric shock.

High visibility clothing

Also referred to as high-vis, this clothing item allows workers to stay visible and easily identifiable on the worksite. Typically, it is in bright fluro colours with reflecting accents to enhance visibility.  

Gloves

Gloves are essential when dealing with heat, chemicals, and other harsh equipment. They reduce the risk of getting cuts, burns, fractures and more. Gloves should be snug fitting and free of rips, chemical residue or burns as these will reduce the effectiveness of the gloves.

Ear plugs

It is important to have ear plugs to prevent any hearing loss when working around machinery.

Goggles

Wearing goggles will protect your eyes from flying objects or materials. Protective eyewear needs to always be worn when performing a job where fragments may cause risk to your eyes.

Masks

Masks are needed for some tasks to prevent you from inhaling harsh materials into your body. There are different masks for different graded jobs so it is essential to the right mask to protect you in your role.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is often a PPE that gets overlooked, but important nonetheless. Under the harsh conditions of the Australian sun on a summer’s day, you can get burnt within 11 minutes when the UV is strong. In fact, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with around two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.

How to get employed in construction

If you are looking to start your career in construction, you can find more opportunities online on the EWS Recruitment’s website. Simply, register with EWS Recruitment, browse the EWS Recruitment website for the latest blue collar and white collar jobs, and follow EWS Recruitment on social media for updates and jobs.

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