Staying safe on the job is vitally important in all work environments, but there are industries where special safety equipment is required. In these workplaces safety garments are necessary to prevent serious injuries and can even save lives when accidents happen.
Here are five workplaces that call for safety clothing on the job:
• Welding – A welder works in physically demanding environments and is regularly subjected to extreme temperatures. The work uniform of a welder must be flame-resistant, but comfortable. These uniforms must offer protection from burns, sparks, electric shock, radiation, and exposure to dangerous fumes. Safety clothing designed for welders must meet these demands using cutting-edge fabric technology that allows for ease of movement and evaporation of perspiration.
• Firefighting – Charging into a raging fire without the appropriate equipment would be unthinkable. Those who tackle fires on a regular basis know that their success is directly linked to the performance of their safety equipment. Firefighters need to protect their entire body with garments designed to anticipate all possible dangers in unpredictable environments.
• Oil and gas drilling – Working in oil and gas drilling is a dangerous business. It involves working in situations where explosions, exposure to toxic chemicals, and fires are all possible. Those working in such environments must be equipped with appropriate PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including protective headgear designed to guard against these hazards. This equipment also safeguards workers against cold, wind, and extreme heat that may be present on the gas fields.
• Utilities – Those working outdoors on utility lines or in power plants are continually exposed to electrical hazards. Clothing that protect workers from electrical hazards is flame-resistant, and made with no-melt, no-drip fabrics that are comfortable and will not catch fire or fuse to the skin when exposed to extreme heat. While such clothing must provide protection, it must also be practical and not interfere with the employees’ jobs, completion of the tasks at hand or distract them in any way.
• Construction – Construction workers are exposed to a variety of hazards. Electricians may be exposed to electrical hazards when installing and servicing electrical hardware. Those working in concrete must protect their skin and avoid breathing in harmful fumes. Glaziers are subjected to the risks of physical cuts and often work at considerable heights. Others operate dangerous, large machinery. Workers responsible for a variety of different construction tasks must outfit themselves appropriately.
Employees in every field, including others not listed here, should be knowledgeable about and familiar with the hazards of their industries, as well as aware of the equipment available to help them stay safe.
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