Introduction:
Construction workers need PPE to avoid falling items, chemical exposure, and electrical dangers. PPE must be properly fitted to work properly. OSHA’s PPE regulations, the need of well-fitting equipment for numerous body shapes, and construction workers’ job-specific PPE are discussed in this article.
OSHA and PPE standards
OSHA requires employers to require workers to use PPE in all operations with hazardous circumstances or when particular OSHA regulations require PPE to decrease dangers.
Standard 29 CFR 1926.28(a) requires employers to require workers to wear PPE to protect them from job risks, however OSHA’s general industry standards do not address this problem in the construction sector.
OSHA has regulations for protecting construction workers’ feet, head, hearing, eyes, and face, as well as respiratory protection, fall protection, working over or near water, and excavations.
ANSI standards are also required by OSHA for all PPE.
Employers must train workers who use PPE on when it is needed, what type of equipment is needed, how to wear and adjust it, its limitations, and how to care for, maintain, and dispose of it.
Employers should base their protective equipment on OSHA regulations, although adding restrictions might be advantageous. Construction project owners, general contractors, and speciality trades sometimes have PPE requirements for site staff and employees that exceed OSHA guidelines.
Ten Types of Construction PPE
There are 10 varieties of construction PPE used to protect workers from particular risks on the job. The device must be correctly suited to each employee to be successful.
Loose PPE might slip off or move during work, exposing workers to dangers. If it is overly tight, it may create discomfort or impede movement, making it hard for people to operate safely and well.
Here are some popular PPE and how they protect workers from jobsite threats.
1. Protecting the head
OSHA requires construction workers who are at risk of head injury from impact, falling or flying items, electrical shock, or burns to wear helmets.
A hard helmet prevents common head injuries. A loose or improperly fastened hard hat may not protect against injury. A falling hard hat might expose workers to falling items. The hard helmet may cause discomfort or headaches if overly tight.
2. Eye and face protection
To limit exposure to flying debris, liquid chemicals, and other hazardous items, employers must require workers to wear eye or facial protection, including clip-on or slide-on side shields.
A construction worker’s eye protection may not fit properly, causing catastrophic injury. Unfit glasses may slip down the nose or fog up, while tight glasses may hurt.
Workers may experience gas exposure, sharp particle ingestion, or ocular loss. Construction workers must receive PPE training from OSHA to identify dangers and properly use their gear.
3. Hearing protection
Workers must be protected with ear protection when noise levels cannot be decreased below stipulated limits.
Construction workers use earplugs or earmuffs to block harsh noises. Fitting in-ear devices is crucial. If not, these products may not protect enough. Tight earplugs can induce ear infections, while loose ones can fall out.
See the chart below for OSHA’s allowable noise levels and the hours workers can be exposed to them without hearing protection.
4. Respiratory safety
Respiratory protection protects workers from chemicals, dust, and other respiratory risks. However, an improperly fitting respirator may not protect. Tight respirators can be uncomfortable or possibly cause breathing problems, while loose ones may not seal properly.
5. Arm and hand protection
Construction workers need gloves to prevent cuts, abrasions, and other hand injuries. However, improperly fitting gloves may not protect. Tight gloves can be uncomfortable or impede movement, while loose gloves might fall off or snag on equipment.
6. Foot and leg protection
Areas with falling or rolling objects, sharp or sole-piercing objects, or electrical risks require protective footwear. Workers must also safeguard their feet and legs against explosions, static electricity, and hot or caustic materials.
OSHA requires construction workers’ foot protection to fulfil ASTM International’s test methodologies and performance criteria for protective toe cap footwear.
7. Skin protectant
Hand contact is a major dermal exposure concern, according to OSHA. Like hand protection, workers should wear gloves that fit their job.
Welders and iron workers may need thermal gloves to protect their hands and arms from hot materials.
8. Fall precautions
Falls are the main cause of construction accidents and OSHA infractions. Guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest devices are required for construction personnel working six feet or more above ground on leading edges.
Fall arrest systems have anchoring connectors, a harness, and a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or all three. Each time these systems are used, they should be adjusted to fit securely to keep workers stable in event of a fall. They disperse impact across workers’ thighs and buttocks.
9. Electric shock prevention
Electrical dangers are widespread on building sites. Workers require protective gear to avoid shock or other damage from these dangers. Workers should use rubber insulating blankets, matting, coverings, line hose, gloves and sleeves that OSHA specifies.
Head-to-toe PPE for electrical contractors reduces arc flash, shock, burns, and other electrical hazards.
10. Bright clothes
Construction site accidents are mostly caused by struck-by dangers. Workers should be visible to vehicle drivers and equipment operators to reduce this danger.
OSHA mandates workplace lighting for safety and visibility. However, vehicles may not see construction workers, especially those near roads and highways, without high-visibility clothes.
OSHA requires these workers to wear high-visibility gear in two situations:
OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires construction workers near excavations to have protection against dangers that might cause significant injury or death.
OSHA has state-specific standards for 22 U.S. states. Construction enterprises should know local and national regulations to be compliant and protect their workers.
Addressing women and minority PPE needs
Women in trades have complained about the lack of PPE fitting alternatives since the 1999 OSHA Health and Safety of Women in Construction study and earlier publications in the 1990s.
Employers, PPE makers, and suppliers have a mistaken idea of what women and minorities in the construction sector require due to a lack of communication and understanding. This means these under-represented populations still lack PPE, as reported above.
A BMG Global Health study found that Caucasian white man respiratory protection equipment (RPE) fits their faces. Poorly fitted COVID-19 masks put Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women at danger.
In construction, women may need to modify Caucasian male PPE to fit properly and assure their safety on the job.
Hard hats intended for low-cut or sleek haircuts are difficult for thick hair or religiously covered women to wear. PPE for women should fit according to body measurements. If equipment is broken or doesn’t fit, the employer should replace it.
Worker PPE fit can also vary after pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Adjustable PPE like high-visibility vests with velcro closure may aid pregnant women with tummy enlargement. Stretch elastic waistbands and numerous PPE adjustments fulfil the demands of pregnant and postpartum workers, medical patients, surgical patients, weight gain/loss patients, and others.
For women to acquire more effective PPE, construction women must assess and offer feedback on PPE to advise suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers of their needs.
Every workplace needs properly fitting body protection.
Construction workers require well-fitted PPE for different body shapes. This requirement is getting closer to becoming an industry standard, but it still faces several obstacles.
Employees’ equipment should be adjustable to accommodate their bodies, including weight, health, and pregnancy changes. Protective equipment makers and construction companies should also allow workers to contribute PPE feedback.
The one-size-fits-all strategy is unrealistic and reduces equipment protection, putting workers at danger.
Employers should provide PPE for all body shapes, genders, ethnicities, and other worker characteristics. These measures enable safe and efficient work for everybody.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, construction workers need well-fitted PPE for safety, productivity, and well-being. As the industry adopts more inclusive standards, employers, PPE makers, and workers must collaborate to meet the demands of all body types, genders, and ethnicities. Construction businesses may provide a safer, more efficient workplace by fitting equipment properly, providing feedback, and following OSHA and industry standards.
