5 Types Of Industrial Safety Equipment
The use of safety and test equipment is essential for work in many industries and environments. Safety equipment and supplies can be purchased or rented from many companies that sell and rent industrial equipment. There are many types of industrial safety equipment, ranging from hard hats to fall protection, and much more. To give you a general idea, here are types of safety equipment used for various industries:
1. Head Protection
Many job sites, especially those in construction, can become hazardous if certain precautions are not taken. Because head injuries are a particular risk for those working with heavy objects or falling debris, head protection is a must. In many cases, the use of protective head gear is a requirement. Besides hard hats, other types of protective head gear include ballistic helmets, bump hats, and fire and rescue helmets.
Hard hats are used in many working environments, including construction, industrial sites, and factories. This hard helmet is worn to protect one's head from falling objects. A bump hat is made of a lighter material and may provide some protection from bumps and abrasions. However, bump hats will not absorb shock from an impact as a hard hat will.
Ballistic helmets are often used in the military. It is a type of combat helmet that provides head protection from projectiles and bullets. A ballistic helmet is made to be bulletproof. The casing is constructed of multiple layers. The are typically seen in the colors green, tan, black and camouflage.
Fire and rescue helmets are worn by fire and rescue workers. Fire helmets are made to be fire and smoke resistant while the rescue helmets provide additional protection from impact.
2. Fall Protection Equipment
This type of equipment is used by workers in industries that expose workers to the risk of falling. This includes carpenters, construction workers, electrical linemen, painters, and more. Safety harnesses and lanyards are among the fall protection equipment used in these industries. In addition, there are self-retracting lifelines, dead weight anchors, and fall arrest accessories that many employers provide for their workers.
3. Protective Eye Wear and Goggles
Safety glasses and protective eye wear are commonly worn by workers in industries such as welding, machine work, plumbing, and carpentry. Basically, any time a worker is at risk from eye injury due to shattering debris or sharp fragments, the use of protective eye wear is a must. Safety goggles and glasses must meet stringent regulations and be made to withstand a high degree of resistance and high velocity impact against shattering.
Some protective glasses are made with prescription lenses, although most lenses will be non-prescription. Workers requiring prescription safety glasses must obtain the prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, otherwise known as an eye doctor. Polycarbonate lenses are often recommended over ordinary plastic, as they are lighter in weight, thus more comfortable. In addition, this material provides greater resistance against impact than ordinary plastic lenses provide.
4. Back Support Belts
Back support belts are a type of back brace made to support the lower back and help prevent back injuries on the job. It is especially helpful for those who must heavy items on the job. Back support belts help to stabilize the spine for proper ergonomics while bending, stretching and lifting. Many have break away suspenders, although some back belts do not feature suspenders. They are made to be contoured, allowing flexibility and free movement while working.
5. High Visibility safety Vests and Jackets
This vests and jackets are made with reflective material that helps workers be seen in low lighting or dark conditions. High visibility clothing is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) often worn by occupational workers and rescue teams or those who work on highways and railways. It helps motorists see the workers from most any background.