Industrial safety supplies are crucial when it comes to ensuring safe work conditions for your employees. Giving workers the proper tools also increases confidence and a sense of security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor released an in-depth report regarding workplace injuries for 2018. There were 2.8 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported by private employers. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that the most recent work-related fatality in the U.S. happened in May of 2020.
Thus, supplying your workers with safe equipment can make the difference between life and death. Let’s take a look at safety tools that are paramount for a secure workplace.
1) Safety gloves
Many workplace injuries involve hands. Thankfully, there are several types of gloves that protect against a wide variety of hand injuries, such as:
- Cut Resistant – Protect against cuts and punctures
- Water Resistant – Protect against water and insulates from the cold
- Abrasion Resistant – Protect against slivers, chafing, and abrasion
- Chemical Resistant – Protect against acids, oils, caustics, and solvents
- Non-Conductive – Protect against low-voltage electricity
Now, there’s more to it than just having proper work gloves at one’s disposal. You must ensure that your workers’ gloves are a good fit and they don’t aggravate any skin sensitivities or allergies.
2) Safety knives
It’s imperative you offer your employees safety knives and finger-friendly® cutting tools while they’re on site. Of course, there’s a safety knife for just about everything that requires one. Such finger-friendly cutting tools include:
- Utility knives – Manual, auto-retractable, smart-retracting, industrial, pen cutter
- Folding knives – folding utility, EDC folding knife
- Precision knives – precision cutter, retractable precision cutter, craft knife, ceramic scalpel
- Micro-Ceramic-Blade Knives – safety cutter, precision cutter
Your employees should be well-versed in how to use safety knives. In addition, they should be aware of the types of knives and their primary functions.
3) Eye gear
Goggles, safety glasses, and facial shields are great for preventing eye injuries in the workplace. However, sometimes it’s not enough. That’s why having eye wash stations on site is vital. What if a worker accidentally rubs their eyes without washing their hands? They could inadvertently expose their eyes to toxic substances. The next step is to decide whether a permanent or portable eye wash station would suit your work space.
In addition, emergency showers would be prudent to have in case a worker comes in contact with dangerous chemicals.
4) Head gear
Hard hats and helmets are a must, especially while working on a construction site or factory floor. This is especially important when you have visitors on site. Traumatic brain injuries can result in permanent damage. In addition, they can be costly for the employer, as there’s worker’s compensation to consider. Concussions and contusions are the most common forms of head injuries in the workplace. There’s a myriad of ways to ensure your employees are protecting their heads:
- Wear a hard hat or helmet
- Make sure all walkways are decluttered
- Ensure that every walking surface is free of spillage
- Use proper signage to indicate wet surfaces
- Exercise caution when using a ladder
- Always use a ladder for hard-to-reach places
- Make sure objects are securely stored on shelves
5) Fall protection measures
Slips and falls are extremely common on work sites. Falling at work can lead to multiple body injuries. Signs are a great way of keeping your employees informed of potentially risky areas. In fact, safety and warning signs should be posted by every workstation. Ensuring there are clearly established walkways while on the floor can help prevent falls. Aside from overly-cluttered spaces being a workplace hazard, they’re also a health hazard. In addition, all equipment that could present as a tripping hazard must be safely stored and in proper working condition.
Conduct safety topic meetings
Another way to ensure that tools are used safely is to conduct safety topic meetings. Of course, there are employee orientations and extensive training, but safety topic meetings can really drive home the importance of exercising caution in the workplace. There should be absolute transparency between you and your workers, especially when it comes to safety. Topics discussed at your meetings could include:
- Fire safety and procedures
- Proper body protection such as goggles, hard hats, gloves, vests, steel-toed boots, etc.
- Reviewing safety equipment basics
- Workplace violence prevention
- Job hazard analysis
- Pointing out gas and fire detectors on the floor
- Site signage
The short video below covers the importance of safety in the workplace through a humorous lens. This can be incorporated into your safety topic meetings.
Ensuring your employees are properly equipped to do their job is vital for a successful and accident-free workplace. The above industrial safety supplies will increase your workers’ sense of security and enhance their ability to perform with less fear of injury.
