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If you were to take the list of the top 10 riskiest jobs on the planet, construction would be there in the top 5 positions. Irrespective of the number of technological upgrades and innovations that have happened in the industry, there is still a large portion of work to be done by the manual labor force.
Thus, personal protection equipment is the only viable means to save these laborers from imminent accidents or hazards. Employers and employees should make sure that they give importance to these safety gears at their work sites at any cost.
Some of the most common safety gears in the construction industry that workers should have include:
1. Hand safety gloves
A leather glove or a canvas glove is preferred for steel bar bending workers as they are more prone to burns and cuts. Those who work with concrete could use gloves made of any insulating material preferably rubber, but if any chemical admixtures are used then they should be given chemically resistant gloves to keep their hands safe.
Providing some gloves won’t make sense unless the workers are given proper training on how to use it. They should have an idea on choosing the right gloves for their work environment. Moreover, they should also know about inspecting the glove before and after using the gloves as well.
2. Safety Goggles
Those who work on steel cutting and welding have their eyes at risk. Being a sensitive organ of the human body, the need for its protection is not secondary to anything. Exposure to harmful chemicals or hazardous gasses is to be taken care of as well. The level of protection depends on the extent of exposure and the task that the worker is supposed to do.
Apart from glasses, wearing face masks and welding shields will also give added protection to the workers considering the harsh situations they have to work in.
3. Ear muffs or earplugs
The construction workers are working in conditions where they are susceptible to prolonged exposure to some high-frequency noises. This can be due to the use of a jackhammer or welding equipment. This may make them prone to hearing impairment, which can be avoided using a pre-molded earplug.
4. Safety shoes
Most accidents that occur in a construction site are due to tipping and sliding. Footwear that lacks a sturdy grip will only make things worse. Workers should be supplied with proper foot boots of the right size.
Falling hammers and needles are another threat at construction sites and composite shoes are to be your best deterrent. Composite shows will also offer protection when working at higher temperatures as it has insulating properties and is light in weight. These shoes have electrical insulating properties which make the workers safe from the risk of electrical shocks as well.
5. Safety helmets
Head injuries can be fatal and can take the life of people as falling objects is a common incident in a construction site. Even with the utmost precautions implemented, these threats cannot be avoided. These polyethylene helmets can also protect workers from rain, sun exposure, and even electric shocks.
6. Safety vests
These safety vests are incorporated with highly reflective tapes which make them visible in dark conditions. In these low visibility environments, a safety vest would make a worker visible which would help them for better coordination and carrying out the work even at night.
7. Walkie-Talkies
A walkie-talkie is often the most underrated safety equipment at a construction site. Apart from helping workers better coordinate among themselves, effective communication in the workplace will also reduce the project completion time and has other latent advantages.
The range of these devices is an important parameter to be considered while using them at the site. Ideally, the antenna featured in the device should make long-distance reception possible. An ideal walkie-talkie should be having a good range beyond doubt. In the meantime, know that there are licensing authorities that monitor the sale of these devices. Some models don’t need a license to be required for their operation without any compromise on the voice quality.
The ruggedness of the equipment should be another factor you should take into consideration while investing in one. It is recommended that you invest in walkie-talkies that are rugged enough to be used in a construction site with proper options for voice control as well. On top of that, these devices should be simple enough for the layman to operate.
The employer should choose the device which offers a lifetime warranty for their products which makes them safe from maintenance worries. When the batteries are to be considered, they should be long-lasting without any doubt.
On top of all these, the walkie-talkie should be water and dustproof. Even though there are standards and compliances for water and dustproof. There are many options available no matter how big or small the construction site is.
An IP67 rated walkie-talkie would be safe for operation even under 3 ft of water column for 30 minutes, but IP55 rated ones can withstand splashes of water but are not submersible. Taking into account the chances of the walkie-talkie being prone to dust and water threats in a construction site, it is highly recommended that the workers use waterproof walkie-talkies in their workplace.
Another important feature to look for in a walkie-talkie is whether they can be programmed to send an SOS in the event of an emergency. Such radios can also be programmed to send an SOS at the press of a button. Some digital radios also have a feature called Man Down that when programmed on the radio, will automatically send an alert if the user falls.
While a responsible employer should consider only the best for their workers, it should be bought from a responsible seller only. At Metrotalk Inc. there is a collection of popular walkie-talkies which are fast selling at the best of prices in the market. Visit now.