It’s a simple fact that if you work in construction, you’re going to need the appropriate construction safety clothing. Failure to implement the regulations regarding personal protective clothing, or any other safety gear is tantamount to professional neglect. Not only this, but we also put ourselves and our co-workers at higher danger from accidents. That’s something not often considered: if we’re not acting safely, those around us are put in danger. If you, as an employer, simply provide the tools necessary to remain safe – and a large part of that is construction safety clothing – you are not fulfilling your legal requirements as regards safety in the workplace. Remember, the right training is also required.
If you’re an employee, you still have an obligation to ensure your construction safety clothing is appropriately used. You are supposed to ensure you are properly clothed to protect yourself from natural elements, and general purpose work. All other considerations fall to the employer. It’s well worth remembering that this should not be at any extra cost to the worker.
Choosing the right kind of construction safety clothing is an important part of fulfilling your H&S obligations. You must ensure that they are selected in accordance with recognised standards, do not, in themselves – or in conjunction with other gear – create a hazard of any kind, and are maintained to a sanitary a workable standard.
As well as regular maintenance, there are issues surrounding the procedure for dealing with out-of-date, or unworkable construction safety clothing. Firstly, and most simply, the item must be removed from service immediately. You must, in addition, make sure that it doesn't form any kind of hazard. This is most likely to be as a result of disposal. If, for example, a tunic has become contaminated with some kind of potentially dangerous chemical compound, it needs to be disposed of as such, and not simply dumped in a bin, which could cause a separate fire, or chemical issue. In addition to this, regular yearly reviews should take place on all construction safety clothing. All employees must make sure that tools and apparatus are inspected regularly.
One of the most common issues with construction safety clothing is with goggles. Often workers are trained to use goggles whenever there is potential of debris or chemical splash. Remember that this has implications regarding those who already wear glasses. If they do not match, it is the employer’s duty to find an appropriate, and safe, solution that doesn’t require any additional cash layout on the part of the employee. Similarly, construction safety clothing must be properly fitted. If it is not, it will often cause a safety issue all on its own. If this is the case, it’s worse than useless.
Remember that correctly studying and applying the regulations for construction safety clothing is essential, and what’s more, easy to do. It really isn't that complex, and it relies more on common sense than anything else.
Author Resource:-
Ensafe Planning Solutions offers a construction environmental management plan for small and medium sized contractors who do not possess the time, money or knowledge to write up their own. It complies with current UK environmental legislation and can be quickly and easily adapted to any construction work site in the United Kingdom.
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