PPE Toolbox Talk

PPE Safety Talk

Construction jobsites are full of hazards and safety concerns. It is up to you to keep yourself and your coworkers safe. Following some simple safety rules and wearing the proper PPE will help keep everyone safe, including visitors that may enter a work site.

You may already know the importance of PPE and why you should use it, but please remember that PPE should be used as a last resort when trying to stay safe. It is considered the last line of defense because of its place on the hierarchy of hazards.

What is PPE?

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, refers to clothing or accessories worn by employees to prevent or minimize exposure to workplace hazards.

Types of PPE

There are seven basic types of PPE. These include:

• Head protection - hard hats, helmets, and head gear

• Eye protection - safety goggles, safety glasses, and face shields

• Hearing protection - ear muffs and ear plugs

• Respiratory protection - respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, and surgical masks

• Body protection - safety vests, safety suits, knee pads, and safety harness

• Hand protection - safety gloves and rubber gloves

• Foot protection - safety boots and slip-resistant footwear

Who provides PPE?

Under OSHA regulations, it is the responsibility of employers to provide employees with the proper PPE needed to perform their job duties. Should you have any questions about what PPE is needed to perform your job and what PPE is provided, please let your foreman know.

PPE and the hierarchy of hazards

The hierarchy of hazards is a control system used in many industries to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. It is widely accepted by numerous safety organizations and is a standard practice in most workplaces. Typically this hierarchy is used by managers and foremen but it is important that all workers understand the hazard controls and do their part in helping control them.

The five controls in the hierarchy include:

1. Elimination

The most effective way to keep everyone safe on a jobsite is to eliminate the hazard altogether. If you see a tool or a piece of equipment that could put you or other workers in danger, consider the necessity of the item. If you do not need it, get rid of it.

2. Substitution

When you know that the hazard can not be completely eliminated, the next strategy everyone should consider is if you can substitute the hazard out with something a little less dangerous. Even though a hazard may still exist, everyone would be in less danger from it. If you see where a hazard can be substituted, speak up and let others know.

3. Engineering controls

If your jobsite has tried to eliminate or reduce the hazard and neither of those are good options, the next option is to limit the exposure to the hazard by using engineering controls. Engineering controls are modifications to machines, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the amount of exposure and physically protect workers from harm. 

Again, this is something your foreman should take into consideration, but if you see something that could potentially help, you should always let someone know.

4. Administrative controls

The next option on the hierarchy of hazards is to use administrative controls. These types of controls are typically rules and regulations put in place to help minimize risks. They can include safety signs that are posted to alert everyone of risks and implementing standards and operating procedures when workers are working with or around hazards. 

As a worker, it is your job to read the safety signs you see posted and to follow the safety procedures that you are given. This will help keep you and your coworkers safe.

5. Personal protection equipment

At the bottom of the pyramid is personal protective equipment, or PPE. The reason PPE is at the bottom of the list is because PPE reduces risk but does not eliminate the risk completely. That's why PPE should be considered a last resort. 

Even though PPE is considered your last line of defense, it can still make the difference between a minor injury and a major injury that could be life-threatening. If you know you should be wearing PPE, put it on!

Wear PPE and stay safe

Although personal protection equipment is considered the last line of defense, it is still extremely important for it to be readily available to all workers on a jobsite.

You should always make it a habit to wear personal protective equipment and follow all the safety rules and regulations that your foreman or supervisor have set in place. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding these, always ask. Your safety and the safety of your coworkers is important to everyone on the jobsite.