The wonders of workwear in construction

Workwear proves vital for the safety of construction workers

Construction workers face some great dangers on a daily basis at work, with many potential hazards which can cause serious injury and even death. This is why it is crucial that workers wear the appropriate workwear – a responsibility which lies with both the company and the individual.

Each year in the Construction sector, around 4% of workers suffer from an illness they believe to be work-related, and 3% of workers sustain a work-related injury each year. This equates to around 2.2 million working days lost.

Workwear such as garments, helmets and goggles are all designed to protect a workers from airborne matter, chemicals, electrical, heat and biohazards. Administrative and engineering controls cannot always reduce the risks of exposure to hazards, and so work wear provides the extra safety needed to allow workers to carry out their jobs without injury.

Chemical agents through contaminated surfaces, aerosols, splashes or immersion in the workplace cause skin diseases such as skin cancer or contact dermatitis. Ultra violet, high temperatures and solar radiation can damage skin. Mechanical caused trauma can occur as abrasions, bruising, friction, lacerations and pressure. Strong rubber gloves that are heat or cut resistant and work coats provide protection.

Safety boots are also essential, with the risk of heavy objects falling to the ground, careless use of vehicles and equipment or sharp nails or other sharp objects. There are also boots which focus on padded support to avoid fractures and sprains, boots that offer protection from electrical hazards and chemical spills. In most cases, steel toe caps are an essential part of any boot.

The construction environment often causes a lot of noise, which at a significant level can cause permanent damage to the ears. Protective work wear such as earmuffs, earplugs and protective headgear can help prevent any damage.

There is a high visibility policy for every construction site operating vehicles/plants, with the employers responsible for providing the clothing.

Since hi-vis clothing has become part of required PPE on construction sites, and suggested clothing for cyclists and motorcyclists – there have been thousands of people that have avoided potentially life-threatening accidents.

If you are interested in demonstrating your work wear organisation, please contact:

Stuart Parkinson – 01617 301468

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