Head to-toe protection starts at the top. Wherever there is a potential for falling or flying objects, chemical splash, airborne particles, harmful radiation impacts or bumps, 3M’s industry-leading products provide specialized, proven protection against hazards.
Head protection (hard hats, helmets) is essential when there’s a risk of falling objects, debris or head bumping. It’s a vital part of your PPE (personal protective equipment) gear — provide protection for the most important part of your body: the brain. In any industry where a potentially damaging impact to the head is possible, head protection must be used.
Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of any safety program. A head injury can impair an employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing a safety helmet or hard hat is one of the easiest ways to protect an employee’s head from injury. Remember to inspect your hard hat for signs that it might need replaced:
- Cracks, dents, and punctures;
- Fading, chalkiness, and discoloration;
- Loss of flexibility or too much flexing;
- Torn, broken, or otherwise damaged webbing components;
Eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) is required to guard against flying objects, splashes, vapors, fumes, and harmful light. To experience much of the world, you rely on your eyesight. For workers, their sharp eyesight and eyewear protection are necessary for the job.
To appropriately protect your eyes from harm, identify the ways that you are most likely to injure your eyes. If you are a welder, you know that flash burns are a severe hazard to the health of your eyes. Once you determine what kind of safety protection you need, you can shop SOS Safety for a selection of eyewear protection.
Hearing protection (ear plugs, ear muff, or canal caps) is necessary to protect ears against loud noises that can cause hearing loss. Protecting your hearing is necessary when operating heavy machinery or power tools. Both earplugs and earmuffs are available. Hearing protectors are also available that physically connect to portable radio systems, or provide all-in-one, fully contained wireless protective communication solutions.
SOS Safety line of protection is our PPE that meets OSHA hearing protection requirements. Ear plugs and ear muffs can reduce the decibel exposures, providing protection against hearing loss. Ear plugs provide the greatest amount of protection as long as they are inserted correctly. Therefore, employees need to be trained to wear them correctly when they are used. Ear muffs can also reduce the decibel exposures, though not to the extent that ear plugs can. They are easier to wear correctly, though, which is why some workers prefer them.
Whole body protection is sometimes required to protect workers against extreme heat or cold, deadly bio-hazards. Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection while performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury:
- Temperature extremes;
- Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;
- Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;
- Hazardous chemicals;
There are many varieties of protective clothing available for specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their employees wear personal protective equipment only for the parts of the body exposed to possible injury.
Pre-planning for personal protection is essential and understanding the hazards involved and the types of protective equipment available will help ensure worker safety is maintained. For help selecting the right safety equipment or need any further guidance, feel free to contact us for more information.
