Supplying your employees with their own workwear is not only useful for ensuring they're dressed appropriately for work, but it also means you can give them safety equipment to protect them against hazards.
Quite a range of different protective workwear is available to minimise the risk around all kinds of hazards. Here are some of the pieces of equipment you should consider for head-to-toe coverage and examples of situations where they would be appropriate.
Helmets
From classic hard hats to tougher headwear with greater coverage, protective helmets come in many shapes and sizes. If there's a risk of knocks to the head, for example with low ceiling and beams or light falling debris, an ordinary hard hat should be worn, at the very least. Some helmets have an integrated visor for face protection.
Goggles
Protecting the eyes from flying particles, goggles or face shields are used in occupations that involve chemical handling, welding, angle grinding and power sawing. They come in different materials tailored to particular hazards and are also available tinted to protect against bright light during tasks like arc welding.
Respirators
Airborne liquid or dust particles can be breathed in, which can cause serious health problems. A respirator filters out the harmful particles and can take the form of a traditional gas mask, a small unit covering just the nose and mouth area, or part of a full head and face protective helmet.
Hi-vis jackets
Working in low light conditions is extremely hazardous, especially if there are vehicles in the same area. Fluorescent clothing increases the wearer's visibility, helping drivers to see them and prevent accidents. Varying thicknesses keep the worker comfortable in all temperatures.
Coveralls
Useful for keeping the clothes clean when painting or mechanical work, coveralls can also provide protection against chemicals if they're made from the right materials. There are also flame-resistant materials available for use where there's a fire risk.
Gloves
The hands are one of the most at-risk body parts, since they're often doing most of the work. Chemical-resistant gloves keep dangerous substances out, while cut, abrasion, or pinch-proof gloves protect against mechanical risks. There are also gloves for use in freezing or hot conditions, especially when handling objects or equipment.
Footwear
Good all-around safety footwear has steel toecaps to protect the feet against impacts and crushing. It also stops burns, keeps the feet warm and comfortable and has slip-resistant soles for wet or oily floors.
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