How to Choose and Properly Care for Construction PPE

Whatever tools of the trade you work with regularly, it’s always important to keep them in good shape—especially when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE). In many cases, this gear is the only thing stopping serious injury or accidents so keeping it in good condition could even save your life. But how do you care for construction PPE and choose the right gear so that it can protect your life when you need it to?

Below we break down how to properly get set up with the right PPE for construction and how to maintain it properly.

How to Care for Construction PPE: Head Protection

Hard hats are one of the most recognizable and essential pieces of PPE for working on a construction site. Worn and cared for correctly, they can save you from both falling and flying debris.

It’s crucial that you follow the manufacturer’s directions for adjusting the suspension in the hard hat so that it fits comfortably and securely. Some hard hats can be worn backward as long as the suspension can be reversed.

After each day of use, hard hats should always be inspected for cracks or dents. If there are any, they should be discarded immediately and replaced with a new one. Also look at the headband to make sure that it isn’t stretched or worn and that it still fits comfortably on the head.

You can care for a hard hat by cleaning it regularly with warm water and soap and letting it air dry. They’re best stored out of the sun at room temperature and in a spot where it won’t get knocked around and damaged.

How to Get the Right Eye and Face Protection

One of the most important types of PPE are those for protecting your face and eyes, especially on sites where there are flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases, vapours, and light radiation.

Because these kinds of equipment vary significantly depending on what they’re designed to protect against, it’s important to wear the right ones for the according hazards. Any gear should fit snugly, comfortably, and not interfere with movement. Naturally, if the equipment is damaged, impairs your vision, or doesn’t fit comfortably, they should be fixed or replaced.

Any eyewear worn should be durable, cleanable, and capable of being disinfected.

Eye and face protection generally can and should be cleaned regularly with mild soap and water. However, it’s important to wash the lenses with water before wiping to prevent scratching. Eye protection, in particular, should ideally be stored in a clean dust-proof case or location where they won’t get scratched or damaged.

Getting the Right Foot Protection for Construction

Foot protection for construction workers usually means wearing either steel-toed or composite-toed boots. Each type of boot has their own benefits. Steel-toed boots are generally better for protection from objects and composite-toed boots are better for use in extreme temperatures or when working with live electricity. Both slip and puncture-resistance are also both incredibly important features to have when working in the construction industry.

Caring for foot protection is simple and easy. Wipe wet or soiled shoes with a clean cloth or paper towel and let boots air out after work, checking them at the end of each day of use for signs of damage or wear. Like the other PPE mentioned above, damaged boots should be repaired or replaced before using them again.

Overall, if your job involves working with certain hazards, it’s essential to get gear that protects you from those hazards. With regular care and maintenance, you can not only stay safe on construction sites, but also stay comfortable as well.

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