5 Tips For Safety Gear
Posted by Howie Scarboro - CEO Fall Protection Distributors, LLC on Mar 11th 2022
Working properly means working safely. If you aren’t using the right pieces of fall protection equipment available, you could be putting yourself at risk.
Of course, choosing the right items is easier said than done. You may not be able to separate the good products from the bad if you are still new to this whole thing.
Highlighted in this article are five essential tips that you must consider when you are purchasing new equipment. Keep them in mind as you go shopping so you can stay safe on the worksite.
Purchase Items That Allow You to Comply with Safety Regulations
If your job involves working at elevation, there’s a good chance that you will have to follow certain safety regulations. You may be fined if a governing body or official discovers that you have been working without wearing the right equipment. The entire project could also be shut down because you violated the rules.
Before you turn your attention to product selection, you need to concern yourself with meeting the safety regulations first. Check with your contractor or with OSHA and determine what the regulations are for your particular project.
Once you’ve identified all the items you will need, you can buy them online or at a specialty store. Be as thorough as you can be while browsing the safety regulations so you don’t end up getting hit with a fine.
Gear Up for Your Particular Project
Which pieces of fall protection gear are considered essential? Although some items are often required at worksites, your gear needs may still vary from time to time.
Study the project carefully and identify which pieces of gear will be needed. You can shop for those items as the contractor. If you’re in charge of securing your own gear as a worker, you can also consult with your contractor before shopping.
As a contractor, you can also consider purchasing different types of fall protection equipment. That way, your employees will be able to choose whichever pieces they are most comfortable with.
Using gear that is appropriate for your project will be crucial to keeping you safe and improving the quality of your work. Don’t forget about that when you go shopping.
Choose Pieces of Fall Protection Equipment That Are Easy to Use
While shopping for the best items that provide fall protection for contractors, you must prioritize usability. If you’re working while hanging up in the air, the last thing you need is to be distracted by your equipment. Your focus should be on your job and nothing else.
Good fall protection gear will prevent you from getting distracted by allowing you to stay comfortable. Instead of fiddling around with your gear, you can just work continuously.
Fall protection gear should also be flexible. Flexibility matters because you cannot afford to have your movements restricted. That freedom of movement can save you during an emergency.
Carefully Select the Right Safety Harness
A safety harness is almost always a requirement if you will be working while elevated. Those safety harnesses are designed to keep you in place even if you slip. Instead of a long fall to the ground, you will still be safely suspended in the air thanks to your harness.
When it comes to choosing the right safety harness, a full-body harness would be ideal. Full-body harnesses offer wide-ranging protection.
Make sure that the chest and leg straps fit you perfectly so you won’t struggle with them. Take the time to try out the harness before you buy it.
You should also look for a full-body harness that can be easily adjusted. That way, you can make the necessary adjustments even while you’re hanging in the air.
If you are going to splurge on anything, it should definitely be your full-body safety harness. The security it provides is second to none so prioritize it during your shopping trip.
Seek Out Fall Protection Equipment from Reputable Manufacturers
Bargain hunting is a smart way to approach shopping. If you can snag a quality item for a discounted price, you should obviously pounce on that opportunity.
However, you shouldn’t focus only on budget buys during the product selection process. Remember that these items you’re buying are supposed to keep you safe in the event of an emergency. You cannot afford to have them fail at a crucial time or else you could end up badly hurt or worse.
Look up the reputable makers of fall protection gear online and get your items from them. You may have to splurge a bit on those items, but they will be more than worth it. After all, you cannot put a price tag on your safety.
Hopefully, the tips we’ve detailed here will help you make the right decisions while you’re buying fall protection equipment. Staying safe on the worksite should always be your priority and the tips here should help you meet that requirement.