The importance of safety equipment for construction workers

All employers are legally required to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Those who work in the construction industry are particularly at risk and face a number of potential hazards. For this reason, employers in this field are obligated to provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as health and safety training.

PPE for construction workers should include:

Protective headwear

Protective headwear is required by law on any construction site where there is a risk of injury to the head. This will minimise the risk of you suffering a serious injury from falling debris (such as bricks).

The hard hat (or other head protection) must fit you and be in full working condition – broken items are not suitable. There must also be enough available for everyone working on a task to be protected.

Safety Footwear

Appropriate footwear should be worn at all times on-site. Heavy lifting is a common task for many construction workers, so it is important that the toe areas of footwear are reinforced should a heavy object fall on them.

Mid-sole protection is also essential, as otherwise there is the possibility of nails or other sharp objects puncturing the bottom of the shoe.

There could be an increased risk of injury during the winter months when wet conditions can sometimes cause slips, trips and falls, which is why your footwear must provide grip.

Goggles, Gloves and Masks

If you work in an especially dusty environment or use chemicals when carrying out your role, you should always wear protective eyewear such as goggles. These could save you from suffering temporary or permanent damage to your sight.

Similarly, in order to ensure that your hands and arms are not exposed to material that could result in allergic reactions or skin disorders, you should be supplied with protective gloves.

If you are working in a very dusty environment, you should be given a mouth mask in order to prevent respiratory problems such as asthma.

Ear Protection

Your employer should provide you with ear protection if you work with loud equipment (such as pneumatic drills), as this will prevent temporary or permanent damage to your hearing. In addition to PPE, you should also be given regular breaks to avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises.

Have you been injured on a construction site?

If you feel as though you have sustained a personal injury as a result of third-party negligence, Sheldon Davidson Solicitors' team of Manchester Personal Injury Lawyers will handle all aspects of your claim, ensuring you are awarded the maximum compensation available to you.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are Personal Injury Claim specialists with expertise in settling a broad range of Personal Injury Claims, including everything from Construction Site Injury Claims to Medical Negligence Claims, such as Nerve Injury Claims.

We have a strong record of obtaining practical financial support and high-quality medical care for our clients. To find out more about pursuing your claim, contact our team or fill in our online claim form.