Protective Equipment

There is a wide variety of protective equipment in the market today which is used to provide safety to the various parts of the body when working. There is equipment used to protect the head, others used specifically for the chest, hands, feet, eyes and other mucous membranes. In this article I will classify the various protective equipment you will find handy in your day to day operations.

Safety glass

Not every type of glass manufactured today is safe to use. For glass to be safe enough to use, it needs to be treated in various ways. Tampered safety glass is an example of glass that has been heat and quickly cooled to harden it. Unlike normal clear glass, tampered glass does not break into shrapnel when broken. Rather, it breaks into small pieces, the size of pebbles which do not have sharp edges. This is the glass used to make oven and storm doors, refrigerator shelves, LCDs, Skylights and computer monitors. When tampered using chemicals, it is used to make eyewear.

Another form of safety glass is laminated glass. This form of glass has a thin layer of clear plastic (polyvinyl butyral, PVB) sandwiched in between two glass layers to give it weight. Even when it breaks, it does not cause as much harm as regular clear glass. Laminated glass is difficult to penetrate, and works by reducing high-frequency sound transmission. It is also known to block up to 97 per cent of radiation. This is why it is popularly used in banks as it keeps bullets from penetrating through. It is used to make thermometers, windows in greenhouses, partitioning offices and shower enclosures.

Safety Helmets

Helmets are protective gear for the head. Just the seemingly simple act of wearing a helmet can save lives. Take motorcycle and bicycle helmets for instance. In case of an accident a helmet protects your head from being injured. There are other forms of helmets available for different work situations. Security officers will find bullet-proof helmets, which protect the head from bullet attacks, a necessity. Welders will require auto darkening helmets to minimize the heat and glare from the forms of energy they use. There are special industrial safety helmets with added corrugation on the outside. This makes the surface stronger and enhances safety. They also have a cradle lock for holding them in place and an anti-dislodge cradle which holds them firmly. They are made of various materials, with polyethylene being popular due to its ultra-violet radiation protection properties.

Safety Shoes

These are mostly in the form of work boots. They can be made of rubber or leather. There are special boots with steel backing for the toes, mostly used in construction sites.

Respirators

Respirators protect the user from inhaling dangerous fumes, gases and dust. They are mostly used in hospitals, chemical plants and other industries where chemicals are used. They are also used in construction and other such sites where dust is bound to raise.

Ensure you buy a safety product that is manufactured to the highest standards.