Tradie Health Personal Protection: PPE

To wrap up our focus on tradies national health month, we are discussing the last line of defence: PPE. PPE (personal protective equipment) is the wearable barrier between a tradie and an illness or injury, and it is mandatory across Australia.

If you are a tradie, you likely know exactly what PPE you need for each work situation. For anyone else, here are some of the most common pieces:

Mandatory on all sites at all times:

·         Steel toe cap boots

·         High vis

Mandatory on some sites or at some times:

·         Hard hat

·         Gloves

·         Glasses

·         Ear protectors

·         Face mask

Some of the reasons that tradies must wear PPE are obvious, but many of them are forgotten or less well known. So, here’s why you need to wear each piece of PPE at the appropriate time.

Hard hats

Hard hats are those white hats you picture builders wearing, that prevent serious head injuries, as you might imagine. They are designed with about an inch of suspension between the outer layers and your head, which acts as a buffer to absorb the shock of falling objects.

They are vital for sites that have work overhead of others, but some are also anti-static for electrical environments. All hard hats are water-resistant and slow-burning.

Hard hats protect the head from serious injury.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses protecting your eyes from dust, debris, toxic vapours and chemicals. They easily prevent objects from blinding or maiming you and keep everyone working smoothly without taking constant breaks to rinse their eyes.

Glasses also might be UV-resistant, which is highly recommended here in Australia when working outside.

Safety glasses protect the eyes from debris and UV rays

Face masks

There are popular now because of COVID, but they were also the first type of PPE to ever be used. Face masks and respirators are important for workers in almost all trades.

Some dangerous chemicals, such as asbestos, are often found in older building sites where they are carefully removed and avoided, but some chemicals that are purposely used on site would be just as much of a problem without face masks.

Commonly used materials such as medium-density fibreboard (MDF) can be extremely harmful if inhaled. The tiny formaldehyde-coated particles expelled when MDF is cut can coat the lining of the lungs and cause serious long term health issues.

Face masks prevent respiratory problems from inhaling toxic debris

High visibility (hi-vis) shirts

Anyone in Australia will know the tradie hi-vis shirts, but they serve a deep health and safety purpose. Their main use is to make all workers easily visible to others that might be operating heavy machinery (forklifts, trucks etc.) or have otherwise obstructed vision.

Clear ‘uniform’ also makes it easy to determine who should be on-site, and most importantly to remove anyone that shouldn’t. Members of the public strolling into building sites – unaware or otherwise – is dangerous in a variety of ways.

Some hi-vis clothing has additional features. Reflective strips make you more visible in the dark and long-sleeved tops are often mandatory on sites in the sun.

Hi-vis jackets let workers be seen easily at all times

Ear protectors

Ear protectors can be the standard earplugs we all know or the large over-ear variety. Both types protect your ears from tinnitus and perforation by blocking out some or all the sound created by loud machinery.

Sometimes, both in-ear and overhead ear protection will be necessary to prevent tinnitus (a constant ringing in the ears that is seriously annoying and often permanent).

Ear protectors prevent tinnitus and ear damage

Gloves

There are two types of gloves that you might be given onsite. The first are long rubber gloves that cover your entire forearm. These protect the arms from chemical burns and irritation with watertight coverage.

The others are shorter gloves for the hands that are resistant to punctures, cuts and crushing. These help offer protection from cuts and skin irritation when working with sharp or abrasive materials.

Gloves prevent harm from chemicals and sharp objects

Steel toe capped boots

Obviously, steel toe cap boots stop you from getting broken toes if falling objects land on your feet, but they also support your ankles, helping prevent you from rolling or otherwise hurting them.

The soles are puncture-resistant, so standing on a sharp object won’t cause you to stop working, need time off and worry about whether you’ve had your tetanus vaccine.

Steel toe cap boots prevent broken toes and other foot and ankle injuries

PPE: The last line of defence for tradie health

PPE is the last resort, and worksites will always have plans in place to make sure tradie health is well looked after. To look after yourself, this month and the next, eat healthily and look after your physical and mental health as well as wearing the PPE that your workplace recommends.

If you are worried about any aspect of your health, your doctor will be able to give you an assessment. Any concerns caught early are easier to deal with, and your doctor will always know if a specialist can help you further.

Felicity Thompson