In order to increase worker safety within the construction industry, it’s essential to wear the proper workwear. This includes footwear, high visibility work shirts, and hearing protection. When these measures are taken in conjunction with following safety regulations, it can make a significant difference with worker and workplace safety.
The Importance of Wearing the Proper Footwear
On average, construction workers and laborers may take as many as 30,000 steps a day. This is usually three times the number of steps as the average person would take. Since protecting workers’ feet from injury is of vital importance, employers usually spend approximately $70.00 a year for appropriate foot protection.
The Importance of Wearing Proper High Visibility Workwear
High visibility work shirts, pants, vests, and other protective clothing items are also recommended for worker protection. These are especially needed when people in the construction industry are repairing roads or engaged in other projects when it’s dark outside. Furthermore, clothing items such as orange safety vests and other safety clothes serve to identify employees at specific worksites.
The Importance of Wearing the Proper Hearing Protection
Hearing protection within the construction industry is also incredibly important. When earplugs are properly fitted, they are able to reduce noise levels by as much as 15 to 30 decibels. Since permanent hearing loss can occur when individuals are subjected to sounds louder than 85 decibels on a regular basis, wearing this type of protection is vital. It’s also important to note that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that people shouldn’t be exposed to more than eight hours of 85 decibel noise.
The Importance of Following Proper Safety Protocols
Workplace injuries do occur even when employees are wearing the appropriate footwear, clothing, and hearing protection. Due to workplace injuries, many employees will miss several days or more of work. This is particularly the case when workers have less time and experience on the job.
During 2013, for example, nearly 33% of the non-fatal injuries were sustained by workers with less than a year on the job. The following year, workers between the ages of 16 to 19 missed an average of four days of work after sustaining an injury. While there are a variety of workplace injuries that can occur, it’s important to carefully follow protocols and procedures to prevent these.
