Grinding and welding are the two most common tasks resulting in an eye injury, according to a 2008 report from Safe Work Australia (SWA). The report found that a substantial number of injuries occurred in the presence of PPE with workers saying that foreign bodies went under, over or around the sides of the safety […]
If you have to raise your voice to be heard at a distance of one metre then it’s likely that workplace noise has reached hazardous levels and a noise assessment should be conducted. Given noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable, any evidence of it in workers is unacceptable, according to Dr Barry Chesson, a certified […]
Wearable technology will become increasingly prevalent in PPE thanks to it improving safety management, increasing productivity and offering long-term cost savings by preventing accidents, according to a March 2016 report by Frost and Sullivan. With the increasing mainstream popularity of wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers containing sensors that monitor location, movement, heart […]
The structural integrity of a hard hat can be compromised if treated incorrectly, with heat, chemicals and mistreatment the most common issues leading to reduced protective properties. Given the critical role hard hats play in saving lives and since they are a requirement on most industrial work sites, the correct care, maintenance and replacement protocol […]
Hard hats that are certified, have a snug and comfortable fit and enable the integration of other PPE offer the greatest protection on site, while they must also be worn when working at any height. Australian regulations demand that hard hats be worn on sites when there is a risk of being hit on the […]
Fatigue decreases productivity and increases the risk of workplace accidents by affecting a worker’s ability to think clearly, to the point that they are unaware of their own impairment. Mental or physical exhaustion also reduces the ability to recognise and assess risks and inhibits co-ordination, reaction times and normal function, according to WorkCover Queensland. They […]
Ear infections, dermatitis and skin irritations are some of the health issues risked through the inappropriate use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE). Disposable PPE such as earplugs, gloves and face masks can cause users a variety of problems making it imperative workers are educated on their correct fitting, use and replacement schedules. Pro Choice […]
Working with cold hands will reduce performance and may increase the likelihood of accidents as a result of decreased dexterity, according to a Dutch research paper titled The hand in the cold: performance and risk. Cold weather also increases the risk of working in winter with dangers such as frostbite and reduced sensation in the […]
