Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for building professionals

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for building professionals

As you know, regarding occupational safety in the construction sector, the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has a central place.

We are talking about a series of garments and accessories that make up the most immediate protection for the worker in their work place, and whose characteristics (variable) will be adapted according to the risks that are present in each specific job (work at height, crane, welding operations, formwork, etc.).

Which Personal Protection Equipments are essential in the building sector?

We can divide the EPPs into seven large groups that we are detailing herein below:

1. Protection of the head. Undoubtedly it is the reference PPE, which is the first one that comes to our minds when thinking about occupational safety. There are several types, because each one is manufactured according to the risks to which the worker is exposed: there are some that resist the electric current, the lateral deformations, the high temperatures, etc.

2. Eye and facial protection. Three types of eye protectors have been designed for mechanical protection of the face and avoiding other risks (such as chemical splashes), including two types of face shields:

  • Universal frame glasses, which offer mechanical protection against radiation.
  • Integral frame glasses, which protect you against vapors and gases.
  • Face shield, covering the entire face for greater protection. There are mesh face shield (metallic or plastic) and transparent ones (polycarbonate).

3. . Respiratory protection. There are several types of masks in order to avoid the damage that gases, vapors and other particles can cause: self-filtering, air supply equipment, full masks, semi-masks, etc. They are recommended for welding operations, earthmovings, asphalting or stone cutting.

4. Hearing protection. They dampen loud noises (mainly caused by the pneumatic hammer) and the hearing damages they may cause. There are two major types of hearing protectors: ear plugs and earmuffs.

5. Protection of the hands. . There is a wide range of gloves, whose use varies according to each occupational risk:

  • Mechanical protection gloves (normally made of leather) for material unloading and minor risks.
  • Insulating gloves (latex) for electrical work.
  • Chemical protection gloves.
  • Protective gloves for welders.
  • Cold protection gloves.

6. Protection of the feet. Since the chances of suffering foot accidents are high when working with heavy materials, you are facing one of the most recurrent PPE. As for its characteristics, safety shoes must have a reinforced toecap and a protective insole against punctures. In addition, ergonomics and comfort are priorities.

7. Protection against falls. This equipment is used when work is performed over two meters high, and there are two: retention and fall arrest.

These are the PPEs that you should know.