Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensuring Construction Site Safety

July 19, 2023

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is critical to ensure safety on a construction site. It’s generally provided by your employer (other than steel-toed boots) and protects you from various hazards that you are likely to encounter on a work site. Using PPE is non-negotiable, and failing to use it could get you fired. If you’re involved in a workplace incident and you weren’t using the provided PPE, your worker’s compensation claim could be denied. Here’s a look at some common types of PPE and when they are generally needed.

Hard Hat

Job sites are filled with hazards that could affect your head, from falling objects to construction debris. A hard hat is essential to protecting yourself from a concussion or worse. Hard hats are required by OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) when warranted by site conditions.

Safety Glasses

Flying debris, chemical exposure, and fine dust in the air are just a few reasons you might need to wear safety glasses on a job site. You may also need a face shield, depending on the specific circumstances.

High-Visibility Clothing

On project sites where lighting conditions are low, or you are around vehicles and heavy equipment activity, high-visibility clothing is mandatory. Such clothing includes vests and t-shirts designed to maximize your visibility and reduce the risk of serious accidents.

Gloves

Workers regularly come into contact with materials that could cause hand injuries, from sharp sheet metal to different types of tools. Gloves are a work site essential, though the specific type you wear will depend on the project you are working on.

Ear Protection

Loud noises can permanently damage your hearing, so you will likely be given ear protection on many different types of work sites. If you are working with or near saws, jackhammers, or anything else that produces sounds at over 85 decibels, you should be wearing earplugs or protective earmuffs.

Face Mask or Respirator

A basic face mask can protect you against dust in the air, while harsher gasses or sprays typically require a heavier-duty respirator. Your employer should provide whatever type of breathing protection is warranted by the circumstances on your particular job site.

Steel-Toed Boots

This is the only PPE that you will likely be required to purchase yourself. But one good pair of steel-toed boots can last for many years. Think of them as a basic clothing item you should wear on any job site. They’ll protect your feet from the many, many hazards present on virtually every site.

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A group of construction workers wearing hard hats and safety vests are smiling.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!