Workplace safety is a high priority for industrial, manufacturing, and construction work, and providing workers with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) helps protect your workers from a number of different hazards. Depending on the specific hazards you need protection from, there is PPE for airborne contaminants, chemical exposure, high-impact risks, ergonomics, and more.
Whether you need protective eyewear, gloves, hearing protection, or respiratory gear, having the right equipment is critical to stay in compliance with industry standards while keeping your workers safe.
At BlackHawk Industrial, we offer a wide range of PPE and safety products that meet OSHA, ANSI, and other regulatory requirements while keeping your workers safe and the job running smoothly.
Choosing the Right PPE and Safety Equipment For Your Needs
There's a lot to think about when you're choosing the right PPE for your work, starting with the specific workplace hazards in your environment and the exposure risks your workers will face. Additionally, comfort and compliance are key factors to consider. The selection of industrial PPE will ensure optimal protection while maintaining efficiency and comfort.
Head and Face Protection
Hard hats keep your head protected from falling objects, impacts, and debris while working on construction and building sites. Face shields and welding helmets give the wearer full-face protection, but the difference between a face shield and a welding helmet is significant.
Eye Protection
Shield your eyes from dust, chemicals, impact hazards, and other irritants using safety glasses and goggles, and choose options like anti-fog and UV-resistant lenses to keep your vision clear in hazardous environments.
Hand Protection
Cut-resistant gloves come in a wide range of protection levels and are non-negotiable for metalworking, glass, and other heavy-duty applications. Chemical-resistant gloves protect your hands from exposure or contact with solvents, acids, and other hazardous liquids. Heat and impact-resistant gloves are designed for welding operations, foundry work, and other high-temperature applications.
Hearing Protection
Earplugs and earmuffs reduce exposure to dangerous noise levels from machinery, power tools, and other industrial noises that can cause serious hearing loss. Electronic hearing protection uses selective noise cancelling to help workers communicate with each other while blocking harmful noise levels.
Respiratory Protection
Disposable and reusable respirators shield you from fumes, airborne particles, and dust. In contrast, a powered air-purifying respirator will offer even better protection when you are working around hazardous air.
Protective Clothing and High-Vis Gear
Flame-resistant clothing is mission-critical for operations like welding, foundries, and high-voltage electrical work. At the same time, high-visibility vests and jackets will ensure workers are visible in low-light and high-traffic areas where they need to be seen to stay safe.
Fall Protection and Ergonomics
Harnesses and lanyards are essential for construction, roofing, and any other work taking place at high elevations where falls are a risk. Back supports and knee pads are perfect for cutting down on muscle strain and long-term injuries due to repetitive motion and heavy lifting.
Safety and PPE Pro Tips
Wearing safety gear and PPE is the first step, but wearing it right is the key to ensuring it works. Follow these tips to stay safe on the job:
Check the Industry Standards and Certifications
When considering a purchase, check for OSHA, ANSI, and NFPA certifications, and choose based on the certification that is relevant to your industry.
Choose PPE That Is Comfortable and Wearable
Uncomfortable PPE is more likely to be taken off or worn incorrectly to maintain comfort while working. Comfortable PPE is the key to compliance and enhanced safety.
Know How to Fit Test Your Respiratory Devices
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines on fit tests to ensure you get the maximum seal, which is critical for staying protected against airborne particles, fumes, and other hazards.
Inspect and Replace Worn-Out PPE
Damaged safety gear isn't effective and can lead to serious injuries if the wearer believes they are protected when they are not. Set an inspection schedule and stick to it.
Train Employees on Wearing PPE Correctly
Countless workplace injuries result from improper training with industrial equipment and the protective equipment a worker uses. Ensure that everyone using PPE is properly trained and aware of how it works.
Care and Maintenance Tips for Safety and PPE
Taking care of your PPE and safety equipment is as important as wearing it. Follow these care tips to extend their lifespan and stay safe.
Store in a Clean, Dry Place - Ensure your PPE isn't exposed to moisture, UV, or chemicals that will degrade the materials and effectiveness. Keep them stored securely in a safe and organized location.
Properly Clean and Disinfect Reusable PPE - Respirators, face shields, gloves, masks, and other PPE should be properly sanitized following the manufacturer's guidelines. This should be a non-negotiable policy for everyone using PPE in your workplace.
Inspect Gear Before and After Each Use - Look for signs of wear and damage like cracks, tears, and wear that might reduce effectiveness and compromise their level of protection. Checking before and after will help you order replacements during downtime instead of realizing your PPE is unusable right before you need it.
Replace PPE As Necessary - Trying to pinch pennies on PPE is a dangerous decision. When your PPE is expired or showing signs of wear, it's essential that you replace it to keep workers protected.
Why Purchase Safety & PPE from BlackHawk Industrial?
At BlackHawk Industrial, we distinguish ourselves as the #1 choice for industrial manufacturers who require technical service and production savings. We are their “across-the-production-floor” partner, delivering value through product and supply chain performance that lowers their total cost of production.
BlackHawk Industrial is proud to offer the gold standard names in PPE, helping our customers stay safe and compliant. You'll find a wide selection of options to suit many protective needs, and our team of experts is available to help you with your selection process to make sure you are getting exactly what you need.