Workplaces can be hazardous, be it for someone in the mining industry, the automotive, or even the medical industry. That is why it is extremely important to use the right kind of safety gear for each job. Lucky for us, technological developments have come a long way in the field of workplace protective gear, and stuff like bullhead safety glasses, medical-surgical gloves, etc. help protect us physically on a daily basis. Here, we will take a look at the various importance of using workplace safety gear and also discuss some of them at length. So, let’s begin
Why protective gear is important?
You may be under the false impression that safety gears are unnecessary and uncomfortable, and you would be right! But only till the day the need for one actually arises. The benefits of these gear are
Defense against injuries- One of the primary reasons for donning these gears is because of the protection they lend us against potential workplace-related hazards like loose debris, fires, sparks, dust, pollutants, harmful chemicals, etc. Something like a construction helmet can protect our heads from falling debris and thus maybe even save our lives. Insulated leather work gloves can protect our hands from abrasion, burns, and cuts while working with hazardous materials or chemicals.
Helps cut down on work-related stress– Work-related stress is a major safety hazard while damping productivity as well. Protective gears can help reduce the stress that one goes through, both mental and physical. Something like a metal-toed workboot can help alleviate the stress of damaging one’s feet while working on construction sites or mines.
Acts as a warning system before disaster strikes- Modern protective gears come with a lot of integrated technology that packs the power to send out warning signals or monitor critical systems while in usage. This can help in reducing workplace risks and health hazards like heart attacks or other medical emergencies to a great extent. Certain monitoring gear can also help in deterring industrial disasters on a massive scale by sensing chinks in advance.
Helps maintain hygiene- The risk of contamination and infections stands tall in the medical industry, especially in the surgical sector. Luckily, gears like latex surgical gloves and gear can help reduce these risks to a great level by limiting the contact that takes place and thus preventing the transmission of germs.
Protects the eyes- One of the greatest risks faced by anyone operating in the field is eye damage from dust, pollutants, rogue sparks etc. Fortunately, something like bullhead safety glasses can come into play here in order to reduce the risks posed to a very large extent. It is extremely important to use work and job-suitable gear while healing in high-risk situations.
Boosts efficiency- Protective gear can help reduce risks and thus help boost the employee’s productivity and efficiency. This can prove to be better for the organization at a macro level, thereby increasing work pace, profits, and overall growth.
Legal implications- Many countries around the world have stringent work environment safety standards in place. The lack of proper and adequate safety gear will not only be a health hazard but a legal hazard as well. It is in the best interest of everyone to be on the right side of the legal framework.
Now that we have a thorough idea of the various benefits of workplace protective gear, let us take a quick look at some of the prominent ones.
The helmet- The ubiquitous helmet is a staple of construction sites, mines, ports, etc. around the world. They come in a lot of shapes and sizes and their main purpose is to protect from head injuries arising out of something like falling debris, splinters, slips and bumps, etc. The workplace helmets are usually brightly colored in shades of red, orange, or yellow as a method of increasing visibility and reducing the accident risks that arise out of negligence.
The workplace gloves- A staple of various industries, gloves serve multiple purposes at once. Something like insulated leather work gloves not only protects our bare hands from abrasion, burns, cuts, etc but also from cold weather conditions. Being comfortable in adverse weather conditions is crucial since it helps in reducing the chances of negligence and also helps boost productivity. On the other hand, rubber gloves or sterilized latex gloves come in handy while handling surgical procedures. This helps reduce the risk of infections and transmission of microbes to a very high degree.
Safety glasses- These serve a dual purpose, namely protecting our eyes from injuries and permanent damage while improving visibility in sub-optimal situations. These glasses look aesthetic as well, thereby improving the workplace style quotient.
Boots- To be more specific, metal-toed boots are a boon for workers who are engaged in hazardous professions. These shoes not only protect your toes or feet from injuries but also improve grip on soft soil or slippery conditions. Modern work boots are pretty lightweight as well, thereby making them comfortable for long uses.
High visibility jackets- One of the most prominent forms of workplace protective gear is the high visibility jackets. As the name suggests, they are brightly colored and reflective jackets that aim to improve the noticeability of the workers in dimly lit or busy situations so that accidents out of negligence can be avoided.
Final take:
One of the most important aspects of our lives is keeping ourselves safe and protected, and this extends to workplaces and sites as well. It is extremely important that we invest in a good quality workplace protective gear for the times that we will need them the most.
