The construction industry has the most fatal injury accidents every year. Reports show that 20% of death in the workplace occur on construction sites. Even after thorough assessments, your crew can still be subjected to injury especially if they’re not wearing the right safety clothing for construction.
In this guide, we’ve provided valuable information about the importance of safety clothing for construction. You’ll learn about what safety clothing for construction is and the health and safety regulations you must adhere to. Read on to find out more about how you can keep your crew safe from injury on a construction site with the right safety clothing for construction.
What is Safety Clothing for Construction?
Safety clothing or personal protective equipment (PPE) are items designed to protect employees from hazards on a work site. Items are made with thick, durable fabric to prevent chemicals from getting onto the skin.
Furthermore, safety clothing can also protect personal attire from getting damaged or dirty. Some safety gear such as a belt is designed to accommodate tools and harness hooks. Your safety attire may differ depending on the division you’re working in. For example, if you’re working with tar you’ll wear safety goggles, gloves, and hi-vis vests.
Why is Safety Clothing for Construction Important?
Construction sites are high-risk environments which means employees can get injured by:
- Falling objects
- Open wires
- Chemical spills
- Sharp tools
- Heavy machinery
- Shattered glass
That’s why countries have their own rules and regulations about health and safety on construction sites. It’s illegal for construction workers to operate on a site without the proper gear. It’s your responsibility as an employer to ensure safety clothing for construction meet industry standards and to educate staff about the importance of safety clothing for construction.
If your staff doesn’t have the proper safety clothing for construction and they get injured or die on site, you could face serious legal action. You want to ensure that your staff is protected against all possible hazards when working.
Advantages of Safety Clothing in the Construction Industry
The main advantage of safety clothing for construction is to protect your crew from potential risks on site, but you can experience other advantages such as the following:
- Safety clothing for construction is made from breathable fabrics to prevent overheating and to keep staff dry on hot days.
- Made in assorted colors and designs to separate your crew from other construction companies.
- Your company logo can be embroidered on clothing, so clients know which company your staff comes from.
- Safety clothing for construction is made with comfortable material that won’t chafe the skin.
- Safety clothing for construction is designed not to hinder movement while climbing, walking, or working on heavy machinery.
- Safety clothing for construction is constructed from high-level flame-resistant fabric.
Your staff’s safety clothing for construction also acts as a uniform when your crew is working on a site. Bright fabrics are used to increase the visibility of crew members when working in dangerous sections. You can also choose safety clothing for construction that has pockets to store small items such as keys, two-way radios, and pens.
Type of Safety Clothing for a Construction Site
Now that you know the importance of safety clothing for construction, you’ll also need to understand which pieces of gear your staff needs. In this section, we’ve provided information about what your staff should wear on a construction site from head to toe.
Safety and Hi-Vis Vests
Construction companies sometimes build high-rise buildings which means there will be plenty of building activity happening above ground. All crew members must wear safety vests to protect their bodies from potential impacts. Vests can also be used to protect clothes from damage.
Here are the standard requirements for safety vests in the construction industry:
- The vest must be in excellent condition with no tears.
- Vests must fit all crew members perfectly.
- Vests must not restrict a construction worker’s movement.
- Must be in a bright color for high visibility.
Crew members can also wear hi-vis vests which is sometimes a requirement on construction sites. Hi-Vis vests have reflective strips at the back and front of the piece so that crew members can be seen in low-light conditions.
This type of safety clothing for construction is worn by construction members who operate on roadworks or manholes during peak hour traffic. These vests are extremely important for those working on construction grounds so that machine operators can see them.
Safety Jacket
Thick jackets are necessary if crew members are working with hazardous machines and tools such as:
- Angle grinders
- Jigsaws
- Welding machines
- Glass cutters
- Tile cutters
Jackets are made with thick material to prevent your arms and chest from getting injured from burns, cuts, and scrapes while working on a construction site. Additionally, safety jackets prevent crew members from getting shocked when working at power stations. It can also keep crew members warm during winter.
Overalls
The most common type of safety clothing for construction is overalls or jumpsuits. These overalls can come in a one-piece or two-piece and are designed to protect your crew’s skin from hazards such as:
- Chemical spills
- Fire
- Sharp glass
- Sunburn
- Oil spills
- Cement spills
This type of safety clothing for construction protects the entire body except for the hands, neck, and face. They are made with durable fabrics, so they won’t tear when employees are working. Lastly, safety overalls can be made with stain-resistant fabrics so they’re easy to clean.
Safety Pants
Crew members are prohibited from entering a construction site without the proper clothing. There are plenty of hazards on a construction site that can damage legs. Therefore, safety pants are common on a construction site to prevent injury when working with sharp objects or chemicals.
Safety pants can be made with highly durable fabrics that have a level of fire resistance. This ensures that crew members’ skin is protected in the event of a fire. Lastly, safety pants come in various colors especially bright tones for high visibility.
Conclusion
Safety clothing for construction sites is not only to protect your staff from injury but also to remain compliant with the rules and regulations in your country. You must choose the correct safety clothing for construction and the type of project your crew is working on.
Contact Lino Safety today to find high-quality safety clothing for construction that’s reasonably priced and designed to protect your staff from potential hazards. We have an excellent in-house design team that makes stylish safety attire to suit your requirements.
