In every workplace, there is a requirement to have the right protective gear for your body. You need to protect yourself from injury. Depending on the nature of the work you are handling, you may require different types of safety wear.

Eye, Respiratory and Face Protection

These include goggles/safety glasses, visors, face masks, disposable respirators and even face shields. A majority of handy, construction, medical, manufacturing and industrial work will require you to protect your face. Such works include painting, handling chemicals, some hospital work (doctors and dentists), handling waste, operating a furnace, laboratory work, masonry work, working in high dust environments, factory work, woodwork, metalwork, etc. It is very easy for something to get into your eye or hit your eye at high velocity causing permanent damage. Fumes, mist, dust, vapour and gases can also give you respiratory issues, some of which may be untreatable. Protecting yourself should be a priority.

Hearing Protection

This will mostly be for those working in a very noisy environment and will include protective earmuffs and earplugs.

Head Protection

These include helmets and hard hats. Remember your head is a crucial area of your body. If hit hard enough, it can lead to severe injuries or even death. Works that may require you to wear head protection gear include construction work, electrical work, carpentry, log and timber cutting, pipefitting and plumbing. When choosing hard hats, there are factors that you should consider. The hard hat should absorb shock, not burn fast, be waterproof and resist penetration.

Foot and Leg Protection

Foot and leg protection gear constitute metatarsal guards, shin guards, safety shoes and leggings. Depending on the type of work being done, these may be made of different materials, and you have to choose what goes with the work type. Environments that may require you to wear foot and leg protection gear may include work involving barrels, slippery floors, hot surfaces, electrical hazards and sharp objects.

Hand and Arm Protection

Hand protection gear will mainly include gloves (both hand and elbow length), arm coverings and finger guards. These protect you from abrasions, chemical burns, thermal burns, harmful skin absorptions, electrical injuries, punctures, cuts, etc. You may come across different materials for the gloves. Each protects you from the type of work you are handling. You may find fabric gloves for abrasion, dirt and chaffing protection. You may also find canvas, leather or metal mesh gloves to protect you from heat, sparks, burns and cuts. Butyl, latex, nitrile and neoprene gloves are liquid and chemical resistant.

Body Protection

These gear will mainly include vests, laboratory coats, full body suits, coveralls, jackets, surgical gowns and aprons. They protect you from hazardous chemicals, extreme temperatures, harmful splashes (for example, hot liquids) and more.

Other than noting the above protective gear, you should also make sure that the gear is well maintained.