PPE and safety footwear for workshop workers: risk prevention and occupational health and safety
The workshop environment is full of potential risks that can affect the health and safety of workers.
For this reason, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with occupational risk prevention regulations are essential to ensure a safe working environment.
Main risks in mechanical workshops
Before detailing PPE, it is important to identify the most common risks in a garage:
1. Mechanical risks:
– Blows or cuts caused by tools, machinery or metal parts.
– Entrapment when working with lifts or hydraulic systems.
2. Chemical risks:
– Exposure to chemical products such as oils, greases, solvents or industrial cleaners.
– Spills that may cause slipping or direct contact with the skin.
3. Electrical hazards:
– Possible shocks when handling electrical systems in vehicles.
4. Ergonomic risks:
– Injuries due to forced postures or repetitive movements when working in confined spaces.
5. Thermal hazards:
– Contact with hot surfaces or sparks during tasks such as welding.
6. Fall hazards:
– Slippery surfaces due to the presence of oils or spills.
PPE required in machine shops
PPE is designed to protect workers from the above risks. Depending on the situation and the work at any given time and the risk involved, the following would be the most common PPE in machine workshops:
1. Head protection:
– Safety helmets approved to protect against falling objects or blows to the head.
2. Eye and face protection:
– Safety goggles or face shields to prevent injury from flying particles, sparks or chemical splashes.
3. Respiratory protection:
– Masks or respirators to prevent inhalation of toxic vapours, dust or aerosols present in the environment.
4. Hearing protection:
– Earplugs or earmuffs to reduce exposure to noise generated by tools such as compressors or drills.
5. Hand protection:
– Gloves resistant to cuts, abrasions and chemicals. They should be made of task-specific materials (nitrile, leather, Kevlar, etc.).
6. Protective clothing:
– Flame retardant and chemical resistant coveralls or gowns.
– High visibility clothing if the workshop is in traffic areas.
7. Foot protection:
Safety footwear, which is discussed below.
Importance of safety footwear in machine shops
Safety footwear is one of the most critical items for workshop workers. Here are its main functions and key features:
Protection against impact and crushing.
The risk of tools, metal parts or vehicles falling on the feet is high. For this reason, footwear must include safety toecaps preferably made of lightweight materials that meet the necessary safety requirements but without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the footwear. These toecaps offer a minimum resistance of 200 joules, as required by EN ISO 20345.
Non-slip soles
Workshop surfaces are often exposed to oils and chemical spills, increasing the risk of slipping. Non-slip soles with SRC technology provide grip on different types of surfaces, even in wet conditions.
Chemical resistance
The sole and outer material of the footwear must be resistant to corrosion and deterioration caused by oils, fuels and other chemicals present in the workshop.
Energy absorption in the heel
This feature helps reduce worker fatigue after long days on their feet and minimises impact on the joints.
Anti-static protection
As workers handle electrical systems, it is essential that footwear has antistatic properties to avoid discharges that may damage equipment or put the wearer at risk.
Contact heat resistance: Ideal for activities involving welding or contact with hot surfaces.
Anti-puncture insoles: To prevent injury from nails, screws or sharp objects in the floor.
Regulations applicable to safety footwear
Safety footwear must comply with the European standard EN ISO 20345, which specifies the minimum requirements to ensure foot protection. In addition, employers must ensure that equipment is certified and adapted to the specific needs of each worker and task.
Ensuring safety in mechanical workshops requires a combination of training, implementation of preventive measures and proper use of PPE. Among these, safety footwear plays a crucial role in protecting against multiple risks. Choosing the right footwear not only reduces the likelihood of accidents, but also improves the well-being and productivity of workers.