The Most Important Pieces of Protective Gear For Construction Workers

There are many advantages to being a construction worker, as long as you work safely and wear proper protective gear.

If you’re a construction worker, you probably don’t need us to tell you that your job is one of the more dangerous ones out there. That being said, there are also many advantages to being in the line of work, as long as you stay safe. The following are some of the most important pieces of protective gear that are at your disposal.

construction worker gloves and helmet

Helmet

One of the most common hazards that injure construction workers is objects falling from above. Whether that be a roof tile, general debris, a tool, or anything else, these accidents can cause severe damage. This effect is even worse if the item is especially heavy or the fall is more than just a few feet. While these events are hard to stop, you can generally mitigate their danger by wearing a helmet.

Goggles

Next, we have eye protection. Construction sites frequently have harmful projectiles flying around them. Some activities that create them include bulldozing and welding, but other activities could be present in your workplace. Fortunately, wearing goggles can protect your vision by putting a barrier between you and those objects.

Boots

Just as debris can fall from above and hit your head, it can also do the same thing to your feet. This scenario is even more likely because you or someone next to you might cause the accident, rather than someone high up in the air. Having sturdy boots with steel toes can save you from painful fractures and many other types of damage.

Gloves

The hands are often in harm’s way. Workers use them to interact with the world. As a result, they take on the most risk when carrying out tasks. This is especially true in a construction setting, as workers’ hands get cut, broken, or amputated all the time. While gloves won’t protect you from the most severe forms of injury, they will do a lot to keep you protected during day-to-day activities.

Earplugs

One of the issues that people rarely think of is hearing loss. Unfortunately, this condition develops frequently and decreases workers’ quality of life. As you might imagine, construction employees are especially at risk, given their constant contact with loud noises. Earplugs provide protection from this outcome.

Fall Protection

Our last piece of gear is a bit different than the previous five. It is fall protection equipment like harnesses and nets, which save lives on construction sites every day. While you likely cannot purchase them yourself, you can ask your superiors to consider installing them at your worksite.

Construction certainly has its risks. Therefore, if you are working in the construction industry, make sure you work safely every day on the job and wear all necessary protective equipment. By doing so, you reduce your risk of being seriously injured on the job. However, if you are ever injured on the job, it is important to contact an experienced workers compensation attorney ASAP to ensure your legal rights are protected.

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Updated: March 11, 2022