Purchasing the proper safety equipment for your workers is as important to jobsite safety as buying the right replacement part for an expensive machine. And I’m not just talking about personal protective equipment (PPE). Safety equipment also includes first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, guardrails, air monitors, trench protective systems, road cones and much more. And, all such equipment should be of good quality. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy the most expensive products on the market, but it does mean that you need to become an informed buyer and not compromise on safety just to save a few dollars.

Of course, there are additional considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost is compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Compliance Standards

Most of the products sold by reputable suppliers will comply with OSHA, DOT, EPA and other government regulations. That said, you need to know the standards that apply to the equipment you are thinking of purchasing and make the personal determination that the equipment meets the minimum standards or requirements that have been established. For example, OSHA requires hard hats to meet the standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z89.1).

Another example would be the compliance standards established by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for highway cones, signs and barriers.

When you are making the determination, please be advised that just because a pair of safety glasses, hard hat or other product has ANSI stamped on it does not guarantee that the product has actually met the stringent requirements. Likewise, PPE and other equipment may meet OSHA requirements, but OSHA does not “approve” anything. Don’t be fooled by anybody telling you that their equipment has been approved by OSHA.

To avoid being taken in by false advertising, learn who the good manufacturers are and only buy from reputable suppliers. A good place to start looking is in the Buyer’s Guide (p. 25) in this issue. You can also check out the guide available on the Web site of the International Association of Safety Equipment (ISEA) at safetyequipment.org.

Worker Buy-In

OSHA standards are just a starting point for determining what personal protective equipment is required. OSHA’s Subpart E — 1926.95(a) Criteria for personal protection equipment says: “Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used and maintained …” (emphasis added).

OSHA recently added a paragraph (d) — “Payment for protective equipment. (1) Except as provided by paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, shall be provided by the employer at no cost to employees.”

What OSHA does not say is that the equipment must fit the worker properly to ensure that the worker will actually use it. This is where choices come into play. If you give your employees an opportunity to choose between different styles, types and sizes, they will be much more likely to use and maintain the equipment. Let’s take a look at some of the choices available for three common types of PPE.

Hard hats are generally not a problem when it comes to fit because the suspensions in all hard hats are adjustable. (I prefer the ratchet adjustment to the standard adjustment because it is easier to manipulate.) However, there are differences in hard hat construction. The first and most obvious is the cap vs. full-brim style. Additionally, some makes and models are lighter than others, rated for use around electricity or in hot environments, for example.
Safety glasses are a different matter. They are not always easy to adjust to fit the size of the individual’s head and as a result may be too tight or big. Also, the nose-bridge on many glasses is solid plastic and not adjustable, so the glasses may sit too high or too low. Use is another consideration. If workers will be exposed to bright sun, they will need safety glasses that will protect their eyes from UV rays that can damage the eyes.

In some situations, you may have to provide two pairs of safety glasses — one for workers to wear outside in the sun and one for inside, at night or on overcast days. Make sure that whatever glasses you provide do not distort the workers’ vision or they will not wear them for long.

Hand injuries, which are very common in the construction industry, can often be prevented by wearing work gloves. Save the company money by not purchasing a bunch of 99-cent, large, leather/canvas work gloves; most workers will not wear them because they are too big, clumsy and uncomfortable. Although they offer protection when lifting and carrying, they are hard to work in when using tools or equipment. Shop around and find gloves that fit and are flexible, comfortable and cut-resistant. (Check out, for example, the new Kevlar gloves with coated palms.) Glove holders that clip to the workers belt and hold the gloves when not in use are another good investment; they will help prevent gloves from being lost and ensure that they are available when needed.

Other PPE includes respirators, hearing protection, harnesses and high visibility vests and clothing. There are plenty of choices available for those pieces of equipment as well. Employers need to research the products to find the best equipment at the right price and that fits the various needs of the company’s workforce. It’s also a good idea to offer the workers a choice when it comes to comfort and style. Remember: A $5 pair of safety glasses not worn is a waste of money; a $10 pair that is worn is a good investment.

All the choice in the world is not going to ensure that employees will use the PPE and other equipment provided for their safety if they don’t understand why it is required and how to use and maintain it for maximum effectiveness. Training is therefore an important part of the process of “providing” what the regulations require.

Beyond PPE

The average utility construction jobsite requires a lot of additional safety devices to make it safe. Once again it is important to become an informed buyer. If you expect the equipment to comply with regulations and be reusable, select quality equipment. Here are some examples of products you may have to purchase.

Traffic control devices must meet the requirements of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F. Note: Some states have modified the MUTCD to meet their own needs or have developed their own standards for traffic control.

Air monitors, which may be one of the most important pieces of life-saving equipment in your company’s inventory (depending on the type of work you do), are available with one sensor for checking for individual gases or with combinations of different sensors to detect gases like oxygen, chlorine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane and many others. Beyond determining what sensors will be needed, purchasers need to consider durability and ease of calibration and maintenance.

Trench protective systems — shields and shoring — can be purchased or rented. What system(s) you use will depend on what you are installing under what ground conditions. For example, does the job require a big steel box that must be handled by a large excavator or a lightweight modular system that can be handled by a rubber-tire backhoe or mini excavator?

The list goes on, but the point is that informed choice is the name of the purchasing game. Once you master it, your inventory of quality safety equipment can be relied upon to help you prevent injuries, save lives and otherwise protect your most valuable company asset — your employees.

George Kennedy is NUCA Vice President of Safety.