It goes without saying that from the construction industry through to the police force and hospitality sector, providing staff with the right PPE is critical.
It’s no exaggeration to say kitting up properly can often mean the difference between life and death, either.
But don’t worry. We understand the responsibility to keep employees – and yourself – safe, is bigger than HUGE, and we’re here to help and share our expertise.
So, let’s start at the beginning…
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING WORKPLACE PPE?
When it comes to keeping workers safe with the right PPE, the buck stops with the employer.
Employers must ensure workers are protected to the highest level in any given work environment. And this includes providing and paying for the appropriate equipment, along with training staff on how to use and maintain it. If employers don’t provide the equipment or know-how, then, legally, employees have a right to challenge their employer.
IT’S WRITTEN IN LAW
This is what Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
states:
‘Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to their employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.’
And just to clarity, this applies to all workers – company employees; agency, temporary and trial staff; and to any self-employed staff working for you full-time.
THE MOST COMMON WORKPLACE DANGERS
According to a recent report by US construction publication forconstructionpros.com, the four most common construction injuries are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution – and being caught in between heavy or moving objects. You can add to this the risk from airborne particles, noise and harmful substances such as asbestos, too.
Which is what we mean when we say the correct PPE is a matter of life or death.
Preventing death and injury from these hazards starts with a workplace culture that puts safety first and ends with the correct Personal Protective Equipment. AKA, our MO at Lion Safety.
WHAT ARE SOME OF OUR HARDEST-WORKING PIECES OF PPE?
Our best-sellers cover the spectrum, from head, hand and fall protection to respiratory, ear and eye protection. Check out some of our best sellers:
THE BOOT: V12 THUNDER IGS BOOT
Made to keep out the elements and protect from sharp objects, falling objects and slips and falls, this lightweight boot comes with composite toecap and features an IGS rubber sole unit to ensure superior grip on all surfaces. It’s constructed for comfort and ease too, with increased cushioning underfoot and robust speed lace system.
THE SAFETY HELMET: SPECTRUM HARD HAT
Our pioneering head protection system shields against falling objects, pipes, beams, exposed electrical conductors and more. The integrated over-spectacles deliver grade B medium energy EN 166 impact protection, and are suitable for prescription glasses wearers, too. Goes without saying it’s also designed for comfort, with the largest front logo area of any industrial safety helmet, a soft nose bridge and full in-built adjustment for the perfect fit.
THE EYE PROTECTION: BOLLE BLAST GOGGLES
These protect eyes against all the worst offenders: nails, metal splinters, flying cut wire ends, chemical and welding arcs, and dust and grit from cement, sawing, grinding and chipping, to name a few. With their panoramic field of view, these goggles can also be worn as a face shield and with a half-mask respirator.
THE MASK: MOLDEX FFP2D VALVED MASK
The Modlex FFP2 offers full protection against toxic dusts, fumes and water- and oil-based mists and aerosols. It also features 10xWEL ActivForm® 3D fit for a secure seal, a DuraMesh® structure to retain its shape, and a Ventex®-Valve to reduce heat and humidity.
THE EAR DEFENDERS: ALFA SOTA L1 HEADBAND EAR DEFENDERS SNR 23db
Employers are required to provide employees with hearing protectors if they ask for them and their noise exposure is between the lower and upper exposure action values. Employers must also provide employees with hearing protectors – and make sure they use them properly – when their noise exposure exceeds the upper exposure action values. These lightweight ear defenders, with padded headband and large ear cushions for comfortable fit, are a go-to.
THE GLOVES: SHOWA GLOVES
The Showa gloves seal and shield hands and wrists against chemicals, and are impermeable to damp and greasy environments, which enables a secure grip at all times. A hero safety product for a reason: the surface of the gloves is tactile for a better grip – and they’re flexible, soft and perspiration-absorbent too.
THE COVERALL: ALPHACHEM X150 COVERALL
This coverall offers wide-spectrum chemical protection and has elasticated sleeves for added safety. It also features a double zip with grab tag for getting on and off efficiently when wearing gloves. A three-piece hood, storm-flap, knee patches, taped seams which provide an added chemical barrier, and a two-piece crotch for comfort, complete the package.
THE TESTING KIT: FLOWFLEX SARS-CoV-2 RAPID ANTIGEN TEST KITS
Covid is a way of life now and it’s all of our responsibility to stop the spread and keep our workplaces as safe and healthy as possible. And for that reason, these lateral flow Covid tests are an integral piece of protective kit.