What Are Some Of The Most Important Items Of PPE Workwear?

PPE, or personal protective equipment, is vital to ensuring your safety at work. The items are designed to keep you safe from any potential hazards you may come across in the workplace.

The specific requirements of your PPE will vary depending on your job and the industry you work in, however, there are some essential and important items which can be found across many different industries.

Safety glasses or goggles are one of the most universal types of PPE and are used across multiple industries, from construction work to healthcare.

They vary in size, shape and material but all are made to help shield the eyes from potential harm. They can protect you against debris, chemicals and dust which can all cause serious damage.

It is important that you keep your eyes covered when working with any potentially hazardous materials as Injury to the eyes is often painful and can sometimes cause irreparable damage to your vision.

Safety helmets are another common form of PPE and help to protect your head from injury. They help to shield the skull from falling objects or impact injury and therefore work to prevent any damage to your brain.

These are most common on construction or building sites, however, they may also be advised for those working with various forms of transport or heavy goods to protect the head from serious injury.

If your safety helmet is damaged it is vital that you replace it as soon as possible as it will no longer be as effective at protecting you if it has suffered any damage, even if there are no visible cracks or dents.

Protective footwear is used across most industries. From non-slip, waterproof work trainers in kitchen or food service settings to steel-toe cap boots on building sites, protective footwear helps to keep you safely on your feet and prevents injury from falling, dropping items or spillages.

Footwear can even be used to protect you from heat, fire, chemicals and electric shocks. It is important that you ensure you are wearing the right type of protective footwear as not all safety shoes or boots are suitable for all situations.

Respiratory protective gear is used to help protect your respiratory system from potentially hazardous materials. This includes chemicals, dust and debris.

The type of protective gear needed will vary, but most respiratory protection is a type of mask which covers both the nose and mouth by filtering the air through.

High-visibility clothing such as vests, jackets and overalls are used across many different job roles to help ensure workers are clearly visible even during the night. They are essential for all outdoor work where workers may be at risk of being hit due to low visibility.

High-vis clothing is especially important for those working on or near roads during the night as it allows drivers to clearly see where the workers are as the reflective strips on their clothing will light up in headlights and street lamps.