As we’ve previously discussed, personal protective equipment is of major concern to OSHA, and should be one of your primary concerns as a business owner in any field with potential safety hazards. Personal protective equipment can be the difference between a serious on the job injury and a non event, should something go awry during day to day operations. Unfortunately, there are so many different types of protective equipment with very specific uses, it can often be difficult to determine which equipment is necessary in which situations.

For instance, it might be obvious that a respirator is needed during an abrasive blasting job, but which respirator is correct? Is a simple mask sufficient, or is a full breathing apparatus needed? The same can go for hazmat suits; are the suits you are using up to code? The codes and requirements are constantly changing, as the field of protective equipment is ever evolving. What was sufficient five years ago may be woefully inadequate today. And, even if you are “up to code,” are you giving your employees the best equipment available to protect them?

If you have not recently checked, it might be a good idea to at least review your protective equipment. Believe us, you do not want a problem on the job site to unnecessarily injure an employee. Especially if something as simple as a pair of gloves or better glasses could have changed the outcome. If you have any questions about the personal protect equipment you are currently using, please contact us. And if you have anything to add to the discussion, please leave a comment.