What’s so special about safety glasses?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I need special safety glasses?” or “Why can't I just wear my regular glasses?"

There are three very important features of safety glasses:

1. The frames on safety glasses are so much stronger than typical glasses and are built to prevent the lenses from being pushed into the eyes and potentially damaging them.

2. Safety glasses have impact resistant lenses. If a large object were to hit you in the face, the last thing you want to deal with is a shattered lens being pushed toward your eye.

3. Safety glasses have side shields. Some safety glasses wrap around your face to prevent objects from being able to get to your eyes, while other safety glasses have clear, impact resistant side shields affixed to the frames. Either style is perfectly acceptable.

There are numerous styles of safety glasses, and in many cases, eyeglass manufacturers offer impact resistant prescription lenses. If you wear eyeglasses, this may be an option to discuss with your eye doctor. Additionally, many safety glasses have UV protection, which make them doubly advantageous when woodworking outdoors.

Whatever style you choose, always remember to put your safety glasses on when you enter the workshop. If you develop this habit from the outset, you'll actually feel somewhat "naked" if you try to do anything in the workplace without them.

Contact L&A Safety, or visit their stores in Milnerton or Vredenburg for a wide range of safety wear and equipment. From safety glasses and gloves to boiler suits and work boots - we have it all!

Construction Safety Topics

Safety during construction should not be taken lightly. This is why discussing construction safety topics before work starts are highly important.

So, what is the main aim towards holding safety meetings? For every business or organisation, its employees’ safety and security is of the utmost importance. This is why; these topics can help reduce the number of injuries and even fatalities suffered by workers. If workers are exposed to hazards while they are inside or outside the work zone, the responsibility of the supervisor increases.

For helpful topics on construction safety, read through the following topics…

- Use of first aid
- Use of hard hats
- Power tool safety
- Proper personal hygiene
- Proper road work safety
- Effects of sleep deprivation
- How to drive construction vehicles during winter
- What are workplace distractions
- Hearing protection devices
- Fall rescue techniques
- Proper grounding checks
- Asphalt worker safety
- Proper construction site hygiene
- Why is safety important in the workplace
- Asbestos use in construction
- Emergency fall response
- Construction fall protection
- Contractor safety work permit
- Construction ladder safety
- Demolition safety planning
- Safe lifting techniques
- Safety rules for power tools
- Employee safety responsibilities
- Are we prepared for an emergency
- Crane operation hand signals
- Importance of safety training
- Demolition safety checklist
- Hazardous material warning labels
- How to handle injuries
- Safety regulations in the workplace
- Construction site electrical hazards check list

The safety topics provided in this list will help employers and employees become educated better about workplace safety and security, ultimately reducing any chance of mistakes.

Do you need a supplier that can offer you high-quality, affordable safety wear and equipment? Visit L&A Safety in Milnerton or Vredenburg today!

Safety Equipment used in a Scientific Laboratory

Science labs are a unique workspace, given the hazardous chemicals that most laboratory technicians are handling on a regular basis. To prevent contamination and injury, it is essential to implement proper safety attire and equipment throughout the facility. If the lab site is going to be used by students, it may also be wise to have them sign a contract stating that they understand the safety rules for the lab.

Goggles

Goggles prevent injury to the eyes by blocking harmful substances that could splatter during an experiment. Goggles also prevent contamination of the experiment by blocking any eyelashes that may fall into the work area. Finally, they protect the eyes from biological substances that may be carrying contagious diseases.

Aprons

Aprons prevent spills from reaching the laboratory technician's clothes. In a sterile environment, they protect the lab experiment from contaminants on the technician's clothing. If the technician is working with a substance that would otherwise stain his clothes, most lab aprons are made of polyester which naturally repels substances instead of absorbing them.

Washing Equipment

In the event of an accident, all laboratory facilities are required to have a sink, eye-washing station and emergency shower. These areas are usually distinguished in a lab because of their yellow handles and covers. Many labs also contain a drain to ensure contact-free removal of spills.

Always remember safety first when using chemicals or working on chemistry experiments!

L&A Safety is your one-stop supplier of safety wear and equipment. Whether you are looking for boiler suits and safety gloves or hard hats and steel-cap boots - we have it all! 

How to properly remove gloves

Gloves should be changed as soon as possible when soiled or if torn or punctured.  Gloves must be completely removed when they become contaminated or before you leave the work area.

In order to prevent exposure to any infectious materials that might be on the gloves, it is important that you remove gloves correctly.  You do not want your fingers to touch the outside of the gloves at any time.

Here are the steps for safely removing gloves:

STEP 1

With both hands gloved, peel off one glove starting from your wrist and continuing over your fingers.  Hold the inside out glove that has been removed in your gloved hand. 

STEP 2

Use the inside out portion of the glove you just removed to peel off the second glove.  Both gloves should be inside out when they are removed.  This will prevent exposure to blood and other possibly infectious materials on the gloves.

STEP 3

Tuck the first glove inside the second.  Dispose of the entire bundle properly.  Gloves must never be reused.

If not contaminated with blood or other possibly infectious materials, dirty gloves can be placed in the regular trash. 

In some areas, special containers are available.  The special containers are in place to protect people who might harm themselves with the gloves.

NOTE: Gloves should be disposed of in cans for contaminated trash if soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials. 

STEP 4

Wash your hands thoroughly!

Need some quality safety wear and equipment? Contact L&A Safety today!

Can wearing PPE be hazardous?

PPE or otherwise known as Personal Protective Equipment refers to equipment that people wear to minimize their exposure to dangers. You may work in a factory and handle chemicals daily, which means you should wear gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes. Visit L&A Safety, a great supplier of safety wear and equipment, and place your order today!

PPE can save your life, but if something is done improperly it can also expose you to risk and additional dangers…

> False sense of security

Wearing PPE often gives workers a false sense of security, which can be deadly! Just because you are wearing PPE does not mean you are completely protective from hazards like chemicals, electricity and sharp objects. Workers who believe this may be less attentive to other safety measures or be more careless.

> When PPE creates hazards

PPE isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each piece of PPE is individually designed for each job, and wearing the wrong type of protection can place a worker in some serious danger. Thick chemical-resistant gloves may protect a laboratory scientist, but they will impair the grip of a worker using a drill, causing some serious hazards.

> Pre-Contact vs. Point-of-contact

PPE protects workers during point-of-contact hazards, such as exposure to ultraviolet light or contact with dangerous acid. Yes, PPE improves worker safety by reducing the risk of injury, but it doesn’t eliminate the hazard! Pre-contact controls are essential to improving worker safety as they eliminate hazards completely.

PPE can include anything from helmets, hard hats and safety shoes to hearing protection and so much more. So make sure your PPE program is planned out carefully and introduced in stages.

How to prevent safety hazards

When you are at work, there are important things you should keep in mind to prevent any injuries. There are some guidelines in place to control, correct and prevent potential and current hazards. You should understand the guidelines for equipment you are operating and wear all required protective clothing to make sure you stay safe while in the workplace. It is important that you make sure that safety precautions are always followed…

Preventative Safety Guidelines

- Follow all work safety procedures. Wear protective gloves, safety masks and ear protection when required. Wear safety goggles and follow all instructional policies for the equipment being operated.

- Provide regular breaks for employees in hazardous working conditions. Rotate workers through various areas and provide exercise breaks for employees to prevent fatigue.

- Make sure to give employees and management hazard training and assessment classes. All machines and techniques involved with the job need to be taught and repeated throughout the work force. Make all employees aware of the dangers and hazards of all equipment and supplies they deal with on a daily basis.

- Track all corrections made to hazardous work areas. Always keep records of any accidents that occur in the workplace. Use this documentation to locate possible hazards and work to eliminate future accidents.

- Conduct preventative maintenance on all equipment and systems before replacement or repair is needed to prevent workplace hazards.

- Prepare for emergencies, whether accidental or those of natural cause such as the weather. Have drills and plans of action in place.

- Implement medical programs within the business. The size and scope of the medical program will vary based on the number of employees and characteristics in the workplace. Larger companies can even hire on-site medical staff while smaller companies should make arrangements with local clinics.

As an employer you have a responsibility to protect workers against safety hazards at work, as they exist in every workplace. Some are easily identified and corrected, while others create extremely dangerous situations. The best thing to do is learn how to prevent them!

Are you in need of some quality safety wear and equipment at an affordable price? Visit L&A Safety in Milnerton or Vredenburg or visit their website today!

Basic Categories of Safety Gloves

It is generally agreed that there are six major categories of safety gloves. The differences are defined by the potential hazards they defend against and, often, the material used for their construction. The general classes of safety work gloves are…

Disposables: excellent for one-time use while still providing “fingertip sensitivity” required by medical environments, industrial laboratories, and clean rooms – often made of latex, vinyl, nitrile, or polyethylene.

Chemical resistant: protect the wearer from chemical penetration to the skin – usually made of latex, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), neoprene, butyl, or nitrile.

Cut resistant: using Kevlar, steel knit designs, or synthetic yarns, these items lessen the chance of cutting the skin by sharp objects or moving machine blades.

Voltage resistant: protect the wearer from injury by active electrical voltage – usually made of rubber, a very effective non-conductor material.

Temperature resistant: designed to protect the wearer from temperature extremes (hot or cold), arcs and flames, and torch or welding activities.

General work: give you protection against common workplace hazards (cuts, punctures, abrasions, etc.) – made of a variety of materials, including cotton, leather, synthetics, or even a combination of these.

As with all personal protective equipment (PPE), identify the potential threats you face, find the best disposable gloves or industrial work gloves available, then use them correctly.

Whether you need general purpose safety leather gloves or high tech protection gloves, correct use will eliminate many of the hazard risks you face on the job.

For all your safety equipment and personal protective equipment, contact L&A Safety, or visit their stores in Milnerton and Vredenburg.

How to check your hard hat

With work, weather, and everyday use, a hard hat can get old before its time. Even if you bought your hard hat from a reliable store, it’s always important to know when it’s time to get a new hard hat. Here’s how to tell…

- Cracks appear in the shell
- Shiny surface appears dull or chalky
- The shell becomes brittle

While you are busy checking if your hard hat needs to be replaced, you should also check the suspension. You’ll know when you need a fresh one if…

- The suspensions become brittle
- One of more of the mounts breaks off
- The suspension will no longer hold securely to the head
- The cradling straps break or become worn

It is generally a good idea to inspect your hard hat before and after each time you use it. Although there is no set service life for hard hats, manufacturers recommend that you replace it after no more than five years.

Are you looking for a one-stop safety wear and equipment store for all your needs? Visit L&A Safety at their shops in Milnerton and Vredenburg or take a look at their website today!