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Any Construction Industry PPE Checklist in Australia Should have these Accessories
Personal Protective Equipment for Australian Construction Workers has to meet high standards of industry regulation and on-site requirements. Using PPE reduces the risk of injury in the workplace and often makes work more efficient, which is why companies, workers, and independent contractors invest in the best quality PPE.
Workers in residential construction, heavy and civil construction, land development, and site preparation all require PPE supplies. Trustworthy store suppliers of PPE often prioritise Australian designed and manufactured products to provide companies, workers, management, and site visitors in the construction industry with reliable PPE brands.
Any construction industry Personal Protective Equipment checklist, guide, or kit will include standard boots, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, etc. But there are important accessories that should be on all comprehensive construction PPE lists. Here are our top five essential PPE accessories for Australian workers.
Heavy Duty and Comfortable Knee Pads that Construction Workers can use while Indoors and Outdoors
In the construction industry, knee and upper leg injuries are the third most common injury area after the back and hands. Being able to safely work while kneeling is vital for worker ergonomics and efficiency. Workers may find it easier and safer to kneel to protect their backs from strain or injury while completing a project or task.
On sites where working while kneeling is a necessary part of the workday, having adequate knee protection, such as Knee Pads, will make workers comfortable for the duration of the task. Knee Pads protect workers from impact injuries, bruising, and help to reduce strain.
Ideal construction PPE Knee Pads have some key traits:
- Shock Absorbing System – This creates a buffer of air to absorb the initial impact of kneeling and cushion any sustained pressure on the joint.
- Indoor and Outdoor Use – Having Knee Pads that are resistant to the elements or rougher terrain is preferable when environmental conditions are varied.
- Puncture Protection – This keeps users safe from puncture injuries on worksites where the terrain is rough or where loose nails and bolts might be underfoot.
- Adjustable and Flexible Fastening – No matter the size of the user’s legs, having flexible Knee Pad fastening will help prevent chafing and irritation.
View our best Knee Pads recommended for construction industry work here.
A UPF 50+ Attachable Sun Protection Over Hat keeps Outdoor Workers Safe while wearing Construction Helmets
Outdoor workers in Australia are exposed to high levels of UV radiation all year round. If they are not wearing adequate sun protection, they are more likely to take damage from carcinogenic UV rays. Cell damage from UV contributes to Australian workers having one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Construction industry workers, including labourers, drivers, and machine operators, need UPF 50+ protection when exposed to UV at work. While workers might have their limbs covered by protective sleeves and pants, other risk areas on the body are often forgotten about (until they burn). The skin on the back of the neck, ears, and jaw is prone to dangerous UV exposure.
Risk areas need to be covered by Over Hats attached to workers’ hard hats, which have neck flaps to protect vulnerable skin. Quality Over Hats for construction industry workers should have these features:
- UPF 50 + Rated – The highest material rating for UV protection in Australia.
- Comfortable and Cool – Over Hats should not obscure a user’s vision, and they should be comfortable to wear all day while keeping the neck cool.
- Appropriate Length – Sun safe protection needs to be the proper length to cover the neck and collar so users can bend or move without exposing their skin.
- Machine Washable – To increase material longevity and comfort.
Our highest-rated Over Hat attachment is the Gobi Over Hat by UVeto Australia.
A High Quality Knife with a Sharp Blade ensures Construction Workers’ Safety
Hand injuries are all too common on worksites, with many incidents occurring due to the forceful use of blunt or sharp objects. Using high-quality tools properly and keeping them in good working condition can prevent most minor hand injuries. Having precision Safety Knives available to workers on construction sites can make work easier and reduce the risk associated with using non-standard cutting tools.
Construction workers use Safety Knives to precisely cut tape, zip ties, cord, cardboard, rubber, string, plastic wrap and more. The best Safety Knife will have a solid body to grip and put force behind. It will also have an ergonomic design to accommodate the repetitive cutting that construction workers complete day-to-day.
Young workers should be taught proper knife safety and may need supervision while using Safety Knives. A good construction worker Safety Knife has these key features:
- Guarded Blades – Having blades enclosed by a guard helps to keep users safe from ‘slip’ injuries and other mishandling accidents.
- Tough Body and Shape – Users need a knife that can resist damage from being dropped and has a shape that can be gripped well for safe use in the elements.
- Versatile Blades – Having blades of different shapes, such as ‘straight’ and ‘hook’, is useful for cutting a variety of materials efficiently and safely.
- Replaceable Blades – Having a dull blade is never safe because it requires more brute force to use, and so being able to replace blades will reduce injury risk on site.
- Left or Right Handed – Due to the varied nature of worksites, knife users may need to cut with their left or right hand, depending on the job and personal preference.
Our best-selling Safety Knife for construction sites is the Fish 200.
Construction Site First Aid Requirements include a Comprehensive Kit for Workers and Visitors
Any First Aid Kit on a construction site needs to meet a requirements checklist based on the risk assessment completed for the location. Risk assessments for construction sites will consider several factors when deciding what medical kits and training are needed for the site. Factors include the risk level of the work (high risk or low risk), how many workers or visitors are present each day, how far the site is from medical services, and what tools and machines are used.
Most construction work is considered high-risk work, especially for labourers, drivers, and machine operators. In high-risk work environments, comprehensive First Aid Kits should be installed at a ratio of 1 First Aid Kit per 25 people on site. This ratio ensures enough supply is available for each person in an emergency.
First Aid Kits need to be well maintained to meet industry standards of emergency medical care in Australia. For this reason, modular First Aid Kits are an excellent option because each time a supply module is consumed, it can be replenished without having to purchase a whole new kit. A good construction industry First Aid Kit should meet these requirements:
- Comprehensive Contents – The First Aid Kit should have supplies to treat Burns, Eye Injuries, Hemorrhaging, Minor Wounds and have additional stock in reserve.
- Hard Case for Site – Hard cases resist impact damage and the elements.
- Soft Case for Vehicles or Office – Soft cases are small to fit into convenient places.
- Clear Instructions – Contents instructions are imperative for all workers and visitors, even if they are trained in first aid.
- High Visibility – In an emergency indoors or outdoors, First Aid Kits must be easily visible to all people on site.
Our top First Aid Kit for construction sites can be found here.
Glove Clip Holders for Utility Tool Belts are Convenient and Safe for Construction Workers
Labourers and machine operators working on construction sites use a variety of gloves and other accessories like towels and earmuffs in their day-to-day work. These items are vital to completing work safely. Workers often need to take their accessories on and off throughout the day, and it is easy for gloves, towels, and earmuffs to get misplaced. Glove Clips are the cheapest and easiest solution to keeping items safe while not in use.
Misplaced items on construction sites can lead to injury and reduced efficiency. Being able to keep items secured with a Clip that attaches to the belt, belt loops, or toolbelt is incredibly useful. Glove Clips can even be used to hang gloves at workstations, at home or in the car.
Most Glove Clips come in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes for different uses. However, any high-quality Glove Clip needs these features:
- Strong Jaw – A Clip with a strong jaw can hold a variety of accessories used by construction workers, such as thick gloves.
- Quality Material – Glove Clips need to be made of a non-conductive material, and should hold their shape over time while resisting fatigue and wear.
- Breakaway – Having a breakaway joint is an important safety feature of any Glove Clip, ensuring that users are not injured if their gloves get snagged.
The best Glove Clip we recommend is by Glove Guard.
