PPE and the Abrasives Industry

PPE performs as a very important function in the abrasives and manufacturing industry. Equipment must be worn in the workplace, preparing you for any risks and provides extra protection in the event of an occurring accident. It is necessary to speak about the importance of proper safety gear, due to the injuries that take place from poor training or disregarding procedures.

PPE stands for ‘Personal Protection Equipment’, and OSHA standards require companies to provide the necessary items in order to safely work hazardous jobs. Many industries, manufacturing especially, are prevalent with health and safety risks. With long shifts and weeks, dangers can be difficult to manage and the added protection can make a world of a difference.

There are various types of PPE that workers in manufacturing should be wearing, including:

Safety Eyewear
Eye protection is easily the most important piece of equipment in the workplace. Over 2,000+ people suffer injuries to the eyes in the workplace, and the majority could have been prevented with proper eye protection. Almost every workplace has risks that could cause injuries like temporary or permanent vision loss. Flying debris, mishandled grinders, and chemicals are all examples.

Hand/Skin Protection
Unprotected hands can come into contact with irritants and chemicals that can cause rashes and cuts to the skin. In abrasive manufacturing, it is crucial to wear gloves while performing any applications. An abrasive disc coming in contact with metal at a fast RPM can lead to devastating results if protection isn’t worn.

Aprons
For welding or abrasive applications, aprons should be worn to prevent any debris or chemicals from damaging any clothing.

Headphones
The noise level of most angle grinders can vary from 95 to 100 decibels. Combining that with the noise of a warehouse can lead to excessive noise that can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. Wearing ear protection can reduce any of these unpleasant effects, and allow you to concentrate on your work.

Breathing Masks
Working with toxic chemicals, you should always wear respiratory protection in the workplace. Depending on the environment you’re working in, a simple mask just isn’t enough. Grinding down metal using abrasives can cause microscopic metal shavings to dissipate in the air, bringing on respiratory issues.

Safety Matters, Protect Yourself

Safety is a major issue for the manufacturing industry and skilled laborers. Accidents happen every year, and often times it is due to the failure to wear provided PPE. Choosing not to wear protective equipment can be dangerous, especially when it can save your life.

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