| While the economy may still be in recession, there | | | | and even elevated noise levels will cause |
| are still many roadway and bridge construction | | | | long-term hearing loss over the course of a |
| projects being approved. In strong part due to | | | | workday. Hearing protection is the best way to |
| stimulus money, firms are getting awarded many | | | | save one's sense of hearing for each day and |
| construction jobs through the federal and state | | | | over an entire career. Whether it is earplugs or |
| governments. To ensure safe work sites for both | | | | earmuffs, hearing protection is vital for |
| the benefit of every worker and for compliance | | | | occupational health. |
| to safety guidelines and laws, specifically designed | | | | Industrial Apparel |
| industrial equipment is the key to outfitting | | | | Construction work is a tough job, especially on |
| workers with the right PPE to do their jobs safely. | | | | work wear and uniforms. High quality industrial |
| Along with general industrial workplace safety | | | | apparel is important for providing a layer of |
| threats, road and bridge construction sites have | | | | protection against cuts and abrasions, as well as |
| their own set of hazards. Utilizing the right type of | | | | the environment and weather. Clothing has to be |
| industrial supplies to address and mitigate each | | | | durable with high thread count, reinforced seams, |
| hazard will lead to safe work sites and compliance | | | | and heavy duty rivets that fit well enough to not |
| with industry best practices. | | | | present a hazard around moving parts, but still |
| Let's take a look at a number of industry hazards | | | | provide flexibility to react on the job site. |
| and identify what industrial supplies can be applied | | | | Industrial apparel can be manufactured to address |
| to reduce risks and the potential for injuries and | | | | multiple hazards by integrating flame resistant and |
| lost time. | | | | waterproof materials or high visibility stripes and |
| Hazard Identification And Prevention | | | | coloring. |
| Construction crews on roadways and bridges face | | | | Roadside Visibility with Industrial Supplies |
| a good number of unique and general hazards. | | | | The big hazard for work on active roads and |
| Matching industrial equipment and personal | | | | bridges is passing motorists. At night or during any |
| protective equipment to every hazard will create | | | | low light conditions, the risk is even greater. |
| a safe work environment. | | | | Wearing brightly colored and fluorescent clothing is |
| Flame and fire risks are not typically associated | | | | not adequate for protection against traffic. In |
| with road and bridge work, but they are still | | | | fact, it will only provide visibility of up to 250 feet |
| present. Gasoline and diesel fuel are used in | | | | for oncoming traffic. At highway speeds, cars will |
| abundance to power construction vehicles, power | | | | take up to 1,200 feet to come to a complete |
| tools, and generators. Solvents and resins are also | | | | stop. |
| highly combustible and widely used. With | | | | Industrial equipment is used to increase visibility |
| flammable materials in the presence of hot work, | | | | for roadside workers. Federal guidelines have set |
| flash fires are a work site hazard. Industrial | | | | visibility requirements of 1,280 feet for workers |
| supplies, including industrial apparel made from | | | | on the job who are exposed to motor vehicle |
| flame resistant materials, can reduce intense heat | | | | traffic. This is accomplished by retro-reflective |
| hazards. These materials will not melt to a | | | | materials. This material will actually focus and |
| worker's skin when exposed to intense heat and | | | | reflect light back to its source, illuminating workers |
| are also self-extinguishing. | | | | to both motorists and construction vehicle drivers. |
| High elevation work on bridges and even near | | | | Adding retro-reflective industrial supplies to |
| utility and pipe trenches creates falling hazards. Fall | | | | worker apparel and PPE is the only effective way |
| arrest systems and lanyards are vital to | | | | to achieve the proper level of nighttime visibility. |
| preventing falling injuries and deaths. Tying off to | | | | The basic idea is to highlight the human form with |
| a structural support with fall protection industrial | | | | retro-reflective clothing and bands. The best level |
| equipment can save lives on the job. In the same | | | | of high visibility clothing consists of a reflective |
| vein, falling tools or materials can cause problems | | | | band on a helmet, a high visibility vest, and a |
| for workers below. Industrial equipment such as | | | | vertical reflective strip on a pair of trousers. |
| hardhats and face shields are vital to preventing | | | | Overall, industrial supplies are designed to keep |
| injury. | | | | workers safe and productive. With the expected |
| After many workers from our previous | | | | increase in government-funded bridge and road |
| generation retired, they realized they had suffered | | | | construction projects in upcoming years, it is |
| significant hearing loss. Construction job sites can | | | | more important than ever that all workers are |
| cause two types of hearing loss. Loud noises that | | | | outfitted with proper industrial equipment and |
| cause actual pain will produce instant hearing loss | | | | apparel. |