Wearing PPE can sometimes expose you to Hidden Dangers

PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) is clothing or equipment that people wear to protect them from dangers in the workplace. Whether you are working in a factory, or handle chemicals daily in a lab, PPE should always be worn to minimize your exposure to anything dangerous.

For affordable PPE, including safety wear and equipment, visit L&A Safety’s website or pop into one of their stores in Cape Town, Robertson or Vredenburg.

The negative side is that wearing PPE improperly can sometimes expose you to hidden dangers…

>> It creates a false sense of security

Having a false sense of security can be deadly! Just because you are wearing the correct PPE doesn’t mean you are invincible – accidents can still happen. Workers who believe they are completely protected from chemicals, electricity, sharp objects, etc. can be careless.

>> It can sometimes create hazards

Each piece of PPE doesn’t fit everyone the same – it is designed differently for each job and wearing the wrong type of protection or the wrong size can put someone in serious danger.

>> 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.

The Types of Workplace Dangers to look out for

Certain jobs have a lot more workplace hazards than others; however there is no environment that has absolutely no risks.

Take a look at the list below and keep an eye out for any potential workplace dangers when you’re at work again…

Safety Hazards

  Ø  Anything that can cause you to trip, such as wires or cords on the floor

  Ø  Being in a situation where you can fall off a ladder, scaffold, etc.

  Ø  Machine parts that are not guarded

  Ø  Improper wiring or overloaded power strips that can cause electrical hazards

Physical Hazards

  Ø  Extremely high temperatures

  Ø  Radiation caused by microwaves, radio waves, etc.

  Ø  Exposure to high levels of ultraviolet rays

Ergonomic Hazards

  Ø  Lifting heavy objects on a regular basis

  Ø  Repeating the same motions repetitively

  Ø  Chairs that are not adjusted properly and do not support your back

  Ø  Frequent awkward movements

Chemical Hazards

  Ø  Exposure to pesticides

  Ø  Coming into contact with harmful cleaning products, paints, acids, etc.

  Ø  Inhaling gases like propane, carbon monoxide or helium

  Ø  Flammable materials or gasoline

Biological Hazards

  Ø  Contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva

  Ø  Fungus and mould

  Ø  Bacteria and viruses

  Ø  Potential insect bites

PPE comes in all shapes and sizes, each piece of equipment make to protect you from something different. Get the best PPE at the most affordable prices from L&A Safety – call 021 552 0665, visit www.landasafety.co.za or pop into a branch in Cape Town, Robertson or Vredenburg.

Do it yourself, but Do it safely!

When you tackle any DIY job it’s important that you know how to be safe, especially if you are a beginner.

Here’s how to complete your DIY project safely by using the correct PPE…

  ü  Choose the right gear for whatever task you are going to do. If you are going to be welding, you’ll need a welding mask and gloves, if you’re going to be spray painting, you’ll need a respiratory mask, etc.

  ü  If you are unsure of what PPE you will need, do not hesitate to contact L&A Safety on 021 552 0665 or email tish@landasafety.co.za

  ü  To protect your eyes, always use safety goggles or glasses

  ü  To protect your ears, always use ear plugs

  ü  To protect your hands, always wear gloves

  ü  Always make sure your PPE fits properly, otherwise it’s pointless wearing it

General Safety Tips:

     1.       Do not wear loose fitting clothes that could get caught in machines or tools

     2.       Make sure your working area is clean and tidy

     3.       There’s no need to rush! Do your project slowly and safely

     4.       Pack your tools away in a safe place when you are done

     5.       Always have a properly stocked first aid kit close by. Contact Supply Doctor for affordable first aid kits on 087 001 0511/2 or email westcoastsales@supplydoctor.co.za

     6.       Do not use a tool unless you are familiar with how to use it

     7.       All your tools should be in good working condition

A DIY project is a fun, affordable way to get things done around your home or business. However it is vital that you ALWAYS wear the right PPE. Pop into an L&A Safety store in Cape Town, Robertson or Vredenburg today!

PPE in the Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry is a dangerous line of work. Every year hundreds of people die while performing oil and gas extraction while thousands others are injured.

Wearing the correct PPE is vitally important to ensure all oil and gas workers stay safe, it must be worn at all times to reduce a workers exposure to dangers. Here are three factors you need to know in order to stay safe…

HAZARDS:

Dangers can be found just about everywhere in the gas and oil industry from chemicals and building foundations to working the drill site. Because of all the dangers, employees NEED to assess the environment and match the PPE to the possible dangers. Most potential hazards are physical and health related some include: slipping and falling, explosions, fire, hand and eye injuries, hearing loss and exposure to dangerous chemicals and gases.

REQUIREMENTS:

Employees should always wear the proper PPE and take the proper safety precautions, but in the end it is the responsibility of the company or the employer to ensure a safe working environment is provided. The general PPE that should be used at all times such as eye, face and head protection as well as protective clothing and respiratory devices.

ADVANCEMENTS:

Workers often need to feel comfortable as well as protected in their PPE and advancements in PPE have really allowed workers to use their equipment with ease. In addition, uncomfortable or PPE that doesn’t fit properly can become irritating and workers would rather leave it off than wear it.

The oil and gas industry is a dangerous place – stay safe and wear the right PPE!

L&A Safety is your one stop PPE store. Visit the website or pop into one of our stores in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertson.

How to Prevent Hearing Loss in the Workplace

Hearing loss from too much noise in the workplace is one of the most common work-related health issues. Every year workers all over the world suffer from noise exposures loud enough to be extremely hazardous.

Not only does hearing loss affect your life in a negative way, but it can also be really expensive.

Always be aware that workers should never be exposed to noise louder than 85 decibels for more than 8 hours.

So, what factors influence hearing loss?

Noise level – As the noise gets higher so does the risk of hearing loss.

Duration – The longer you sit and expose your ears to the noise, the more dangerous it becomes.

Impulsiveness – Noises that are abrupt such as hammering, fireworks, gunfire, etc. are more dangerous than a constant noise at a certain level.

Intermittency – When there is a time when the noise stops or quietens down, this allows the ears to rest and reduce the risk of hearing loss.

If you would like to minimize the risk of hearing loss in the workplace, make sure you take the correct steps...

     1.       Monitor noise exposure

     2.       All workers should wear hearing protection devices. Visit the L&A Safety website here

     3.       Engineering and administrative controls

     4.       Audiometric evaluation

Complete removal of the noise would be the best option; however it is not possible in some workplaces such as a construction site. Make sure your workers wear their hearing protection!

For cheap, high-quality PPE visit L&A Safety in Robertson, Vredenburg and Cape Town or visit their website here.

Look out for these 7 Potential Dangers during the Rainy Season

It’s so easy to forget how dangerous the rain can be. Even a bit of a light drizzle can cause a slip or mean visibility issues.

Rainy weather affects many things on the job site:

PPE. If workers are busy working in the rain then they need to wear the right PPE, this includes rain coats, waterproof footwear, hats, gloves, etc. If the job site is near moving water your workers need to wear safety flotation devices, such as a life jacket.

Exposure to the cold. As the weather gets colder, the rain starts to get colder too. The cold rain can put workers at risk of cold exposure.

Live wires. The wet weather means that live wires a high probability of live electrical cables.

Slippery surfaces. Mean there is any type of moisture, there is a higher chance of slipping and falling. Whether it is on a pathway, scaffolding, in a trench or even a roof – be careful!

Cave ins. Those who work in dug out areas of earth, such as mine workers, need to be careful and aware of cave ins.

Heavy equipment. The combination of rain and strong winds can make it especially difficult to operate heavy duty equipment such as cranes.

Lightning strikes. With the rain often comes the storm, and that combination can often bring lightning. When this occurs, workers need to steer clear of cranes, steel framework and other equipment that could act as a lightning rod.

The colder months ahead mean slick, slippery and often dangerous working conditions – Make sure you know about the dangers and how to stay safe!

Are you looking for affordable PPE? Look no further than L&A Safety in Robertson, Cape Town and Vredenburg - the highest quality PPE with no delivery charges!

How to Maintain your Safety Glasses – 8 Easy Tips

When it comes to certain workplaces, safety glasses are a vital piece of PPE. Even while you mow the lawn or play on the sports field, safety glasses serve the same purpose – to protect your eyes!

And like any other PPE, they need to be maintained to ensure they last a long time. L&A Safety supplies a wide range of excellent PPE, including a range of safety glasses. Visit the website now - www.landasafety.co.za

Follow these 8 simple steps:

  ü  Clean them everyday – Whether you rinse them under water or wipe them off with a damp cloth, it will get rid of any debris or dust that may have accumulated.

  ü  Use lens cleaner – Water is the simplest way to clean your safety glasses, but lens cleaner gets rid of the stuff water cannot.

  ü  Clean the sides and ear pieces – You will be shocked at how dirty these parts of your glasses can get.

  ü  Don’t use abrasive cleaners – Glasses become unwearable when you use rough clothes to clean them because scratches will damage the lenses

  ü  Don’t use regular household cleaners – Glass cleaner and things like kitchen cleaner can really damage your safety glasses. Rather use the above cleaning methods.

  ü  Inspect them daily – Look out for cracks and any broken pieces, these can be dangerous if an accident happens.

  ü  Use storage – The best place to store your glasses is in a hard case or pouch. If you don’t want to buy one an old sock is another option!

  ü  Replace them when need be – Damaged or scratch safety glasses are a serious safety hazard. When your lenses are scratched they will impair your vision and if they are cracked they’ll lose the ability to protect your eyes as they should.

Always provide your workers with a well-stocked cleaning station to make sure everyone keeps their safety glasses in good working condition.

Protecting your Eyes at Work

Every year thousands of people sustain eye injuries in the work place. Of all these injuries some will lead to temporary blindness and even permanent blindness!

This is why it is so important to wear the right eye protection...

What are the most common causes of eye injuries in the work place?

> Flying objects like metal, glass, etc.
> Tools
> Particles
> Dangerous chemicals
> Harmful radiation

So, how can you do to prevent eye injuries?

> Always know the eye safety dangers at work
> Use machine guarding, work screens, etc. to get rid of the hazards before they even happen
> Use proper eye protection

The best safety eyewear protection includes:

-- Prescription safety glasses
-- Safety goggles
-- Face shields
-- Welding helmets
-- Full-face respirators

Check out the L&A Safety website for a range of eye protection PPE, or pop into one of their stores in Cape Town, Vredenberg or Robertson.

Eye injuries are common in the workplace; make sure you wear your eye protection!

Who uses High-Visibility PPE?

Those who work close to a road or on a road should always wear high-visibility PPE.

Here are a few of the people who would benefit from wearing high-visibility PPE...

-- Road construction workers, highway maintenance, traffic officer’s surveyors and road patrol personnel.  

-- Police officers, fire-fighters and emergency medical personnel who may be on an accident scene during the night.

-- Parking attendants (car guards in South Africa), security officers, airport fight line marshals and tow truck drivers may all wear reflective gear to ensure they can be seen easily by the people driving the cars and the airplanes.

-- Warehouse employees may often wear safety vests to ensure they are seen by moving forklifts. Construction workers and heavy equipment operators could need high visibility clothing as well.

You may feel that it is not necessary for you to wear high-visibility clothing, but it is in fact vital to your safety. Studies have shown that those who wear the right PPE are less likely to be injured or even killed.

To make sure you have the right high-visibility PPE for you, contact L&A Safety on 021 552 0665 or visit their website here...

Never Wear a Hoodie under your Hard Hat

When the weather gets colder, or the rain comes along, outdoor workers need to keep warm. It is almost always a requirement to wear a hard hat when working on a construction site, however a lot of workers think it is okay to wear a hoodie or beanie underneath their hard hat.

The fact is, this is not only dangerous to the worker, but also the people below if the hat had to fall off from a high place and hit them.

What are some of the dangers of wearing a hoodie under your hard hat?

- The hard hat doesn’t fit properly, so it easily falls off your head.

- Workers may drop what they’re doing and attempt to catch the hard hat.

- The falling hat can endanger anyone below.

- Wearing a hoodie narrows your field of vision, therefore increasing the chances of injury.

- If the hard hat falls off it exposes your head to dangers.

- Helmets are damaged when they fall off and cannot be used again.

Hard hats are specially designed to take a large amount of impact, but if the hat falls from a height and shows any sign of damage it should be replaced immediately!

A workers safety is the most important thing, so a hoodie or beanie should NEVER be worn underneath a hard hat.

To keep warm, consider getting a manufacturer approved head warmer that is designed to fit under the hard hat. Contact L&A Safety, or pop into one of the branches for a wide range of PPE equipment, such as hard hats, safety goggles, eye protection and so much more!

The most Important PPE used Onboard Ships

Safety of self and co-workers is the prime priority kept in mind by a professional seafarer while working onboard a ship. All shipping companies ensure that their crew follow personal safety procedures and rules for all the operations carried onboard.

To achieve the utmost safety onboard a ship, the basic first step is to make sure that everybody wears their personal protective equipment made for different types of jobs carried out on ship. Looking for affordable PPE? Visit L&A safety's website and place your orders!

Here is the basic personal protective equipment (PPE) that is always present onboard a ship to ensure safety of the working crew:

1)      Protective Clothing: Protective clothing is a coverall which protects the body of the crew member from hazardous substance like hot oil, water, welding spark etc. It is popularly known as a boiler suit.

2)      Helmet: The most important part of the human body is the head. It needs utmost protection which is provided by a hard hat. A chin strap is also provided with the helmet which keeps the helmet on place when there is a trip or fall.

3)      Safety Shoes: Most of the internal space of the ship is utilized by cargo and machinery, which is made of hard metal and can make it awkward for the crew to walk around. Safety shoes ensure that nothing happens to the crew member’s feet while working or walking onboard.

4)      Safety Hand gloves: Different types of hand gloves are provided onboard. All these are used in operations wherein it becomes imperative to protect ones hands.  Some of the gloves provided are heat resistant gloves to work on hot surface, cotton gloves for normal operation, welding gloves, chemical gloves etc.

5)      Goggles: Eyes are the most sensitive part of the human body and in daily operations; chances are high that eye injury may occur. Protective glass or goggles are used for eye protection, whereas welding goggles are used for welding operation which protects the eyes from high intensity sparks.

6)      Ear Muff/plug: The Engine room of the ship produces 110-120 db of sound which is very high for human ears. Even few minutes of exposure can lead to head ache, irritation and sometimes partial or full hearing loss. Ear muffs or ear plugs are used onboard ships to dampen the noise to a bearable decibel value.

7)      Safety harness: Routine ship operation includes maintenance and painting of high and elevated surfaces which require crew members to reach areas that are not easily accessible. To avoid a fall from such heightened area, a safety harness needs to be used. A safety harness is donned by the operator at one end and tied at a strong point on the other end.

8)      Face mask: Working on insulation surface, painting or carbon cleaning involves minor hazardous particles which are harmful for human body if inhaled directly. To avoid this, a face mask is provided which acts as shield from hazardous particles and chemicals.

9)      Chemical suit: Use of chemicals onboard a ship happens frequently and some chemicals are very dangerous when they come in direct contact with human skin. A chemical suit is worn to avoid such situations.

10)  Welding shield: Welding is a very common operation onboard a ship for structural repairs. A welder is provided with a welding shield or mask which protects the eyes from coming in direct contact with ultraviolet rays of the spark of the weld.

PPE – Body Protection

Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection while performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury:

-- Temperature extremes;

-- Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;

-- Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;

-- Hazardous chemicals.

There are many varieties of protective clothing available for specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their employees wear personal protective equipment only for the parts of the body exposed to possible injury. Examples of body protection include laboratory coats, coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns and full body suits.

If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body protection against toxic substances or harmful physical agents, the clothing should be carefully inspected before each use, it must fit each worker properly and it must function properly and for the purpose for which it is intended.

Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each effective against particular hazards, such as:

Paper-like fibre used for disposable suits provide protection against dust and splashes.

Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing temperatures, is comfortable and fire-resistant and protects against dust, abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces.

Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts and bruises when handling heavy, sharp or rough materials.

Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames.

Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect against certain chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide protection against the specific hazard.

Looking for reliable PPE at an affordable price? Contact L&A Safety and place your order, or pop in to one of the branches in Vredenburg, Robertson or Cape Town!

The Truth about PPE

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is designed to protect employees from serious workplace injuries and illnesses caused from chemical, radiological, physical, electrical or mechanical hazards. The truth is that PPE is paramount for your protection, as it provides the last line of defence against an injury.

98% of employees said they have seen others not wearing PPE when they should have been and 30% said this happens repeatedly!

What are the top four excuses for not wearing proper PPE?

- Looks unattractive

- Too hot

- Poor fit

- Now easy accessible

Head Injuries

9% of all injuries are head injuries
84% of employees who sustain a head injuiry are not wearing head protection

Eye Injuries

50% of construction workers will suffer a serious eye injury during their career
90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear

Hand Injuries

25% of all workplace accidents involve hands and fingers
Wearing gloves can reduce hand injury by 60%

Ear Injuries

25% of workers are regularly exposed to noises at or above recommended limits
99% of noise-induced hearing loss is preventable if proper hearing protection is used

Put it on! From head to toe, always make sure you have the right protection for the job! 

Looking for affordable PPE?  Visit L&A Safety's website or pop in to one of the branches in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertston!

How rubber gloves can help around the house

It is true that rubber or latex gloves -- whether they are everyday household gloves or the disposable ones used in hair salons and hospitals -- aren't just for doing dishes anymore; they can be time-saving tools all around the house.

Disposable gloves are usually sold at pharmacies, but to get the best bang for your buck, visit L&A Safety (www. landasafety.co.za).

Here are some ways to use those gloves:

* Fill a rubber glove with ice for a quick ice pack.

* Chilli peppers, such as jalapenos, contain oils that can burn your bare skin. Protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves when working with hot peppers.

* If you're watching your calories, you will use less salad dressing and still coat every lettuce leaf if you use rubber-gloved hands to toss your salad.

* Wear rubber gloves while applying a self-tanning product to keep your skin and fingernails from staining.

* Remove pet hair from furniture and carpet with a gloved hand lightly sprayed with water or an anti-static spray.

* To prevent leaving fingerprints, wear rubber gloves while cleaning crystal and glass.

* Help prevent cross-contamination by wearing disposable gloves when you work with raw meat. Put on a fresh pair before working with another ingredient.

* You'll have snag-free pantyhose if you wear your gloves while sliding your stocking up your leg.

* A rubber glove will help you get a good grip on a tight bottle cap or jar.

How disposable gloves will save you in the kitchen

Are they pretty? No. Are they comfortable? Not really. But are they your best friend in the kitchen? Sometimes.

When the messages start rolling in around dinnertime about how your best friend cut a jalapeño and now their hand is on fire – it’s time to bring in the disposable gloves!

Disposable gloves are one of the least attractive things you can wear in a kitchen—or anywhere, for that matter. But it takes just one incident with a jalapeño to proclaim allegiance to the things.

And they're not just a barrier between you and those chillies. Keep a 100-count box in a kitchen drawer for...

1. Meatballs and meatloaves you're going to mix by hand (It keeps the bacteria from burrowing under your fingernails.)

2. Rubbing a raw chicken inside and out with butter and spices.

3. Deveining shrimp? It's so much less disgusting when you do it with gloves.

4. Slicing hot meat, turning out hot muffins or baked goods, or handling hot veggies without burning your fingers. 

5. Garlic and shallots and onions—these foods do not leave their scent on your fingers when you handle them with gloves.

6. With gloves on, food like beetroot, butternut squash, turmeric and cherries will keep their colour to themselves.

7. It's probably more of a girl thing, but by wearing gloves you can protect your nice manicure.

Everybody, manicured or not, has use for disposable gloves in the kitchen. Yes, you'll look like the lunch lady when you're cleaning those chillies. But better to look like her than to deal with dirty, burning or smelly hands, right?

Looking for disposable gloves at an affordable price? Visit L&A Safety's website and have a look through the website, or pop into one of their stores in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertson.

Why Nitrile Gloves are best for Dairy Farming

Disposable gloves have many uses in agriculture, especially when it comes to dairy farming. Nitrile gloves, for example, are perfect for this application.

Research shows that gloves have experienced increased usage in this industry over the past ten years. This is because of a need for improved worker and animal health – not to mention, a desire to produce higher-quality milk. In fact, nearly 50 percent of all dairy farms use gloves because of these reasons.

Nitrile gloves in particular provide several benefits:

- Cleaner milk due to less bacteria transferred from hands to the milk, as the bacteria does not adhere to the nitrile as easily as to the crevices of your hands

- Protection against repeated exposure to teat dips

- Superior resistance to iodine used to prevent contamination between cows, a resistance not found with latex gloves

Wearing gloves is a crucial sanitation practise for dairy farms. If cows become infected, they represent lost revenue. This problem becomes worse if an infection spreads between cows.

Rather than risking lost profits and low-quality milk, dairy farmers should be sure to replenish their nitrile glove supplies to get the appropriate level of barrier protection.

For a wide range of PPE, including a selection of work gloves – visit L&A Safety’s website today or pop in at one of their stores in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertson.

Safety Gloves and Skin Protection at Work

You may use many tools at work, but some of the most important tools you use are your hands. Therefore, it’s important to properly protect your hands from skin injuries on the job site. Skin injuries like cuts or punctures and health problems like dermatitis can occur in a wide variety of industries, not just the industries you would expect.

Hand injuries and skin problems can arise in more dangerous workplaces like construction sites and manufacturing facilities, but they also commonly occur in industries like health care, hairdressing and food service. As a result, many employers need to be aware of these hazards, and both employers and employees need to educate themselves about the best ways to prevent dangerous situations.

Many types of skin problems can occur in the workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the common ones: 

Cuts & Punctures – Sharp pieces of machinery, the blades of tools or needles can easily damage the skin on your hands. While many of these wounds can be cleaned and covered with a plaster, a deep enough wound could require stitches or surgery.

Abrasion – An abrasion is an injury on the surface of the skin that occurs when something scrapes the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.

Thermal Issues – Working with very hot or very cold objects can cause burns and impede movement.

Chemical Burns – Some substances in the workplace can burn the skin when encountered in certain forms (as liquids, solids or gases). Cement, for example, can cause burns because it has a high pH value, and employees may not even realize the burns are occurring until it’s too late to prevent further damage.

Dermatitis – The skin can become red, inflamed and irritated as a result of working around certain substances (ranging from cement to hair dye) in the workplace. “Irritant contact dermatitis” occurs when something in the work environment irritates the skin and it can lead to pain, blisters, itching and many other unpleasant symptoms. Some people have an immune response to substances in the workplace, which is called “allergic contact dermatitis”. 

These hazards are all very different so they require different kinds of skin protection. Just as no one type of respirator can protect from all air contaminants, no glove can protect from all substances and tasks that could injure the hand. 

Always wear the right PPE, especially for your hands! Visit L&A Safety at one of their stores in Robertson, Vredenburg or Cape Town and place your order today!

“My hard hat saved my life”

A hard hat has saved the life of a Queensland worker who fell five metres from a ladder, fracturing three vertebrae, but narrowly escaping spinal cord injury.

Forty four year-old plant operator, Peter Haines was working on his own at a remote Queensland site, installing the last of 12 light poles when the ladder he was working on slipped.

“I was up tying off the ladder when it slipped and I’ve fallen approximately five metres and landed hard on my left buttock and then my head struck the ground with force,” he said, adding that his employer was not found at fault and it was deemed an accident.

Haines’ hard hat remained on during his fall and according to paramedics, probably saved his life.

“They think that was what saved me from sustaining head or neck injuries. The impact was so hard it cracked the hard hat,” he said.

After falling, Haines managed to phone his boss, however a co-worker had seen the incident and called the ambulance.

“I was just lying there thinking ‘I hope I am alright.’ I was trying to wiggle my toes the whole time I was lying down.

“The ambulance arrived around 25 minutes later and stabilised me, transported me to hospital and then I was airlifted to the hospital.”

“They treated me as a full spinal injury but they couldn’t work out why I didn’t have any head or neck injuries, which they later put down to the hard hat,” he said.

Now on the mend and receiving intensive physiotherapy, Haines is likely to recover from his injuries although he is unsure if he will be able to return to his old job.

“I have to wait to get clearance with the specialist,” he said, adding that the waiting had given him a lot of time to think and he now wishes to educate others to prevent similar incidents.

“While it was just an accident, there could have been a better procedure. We could have had an EWP (elevated work platform), maybe a dozen things that could have been different.”

Haines said his employer immediately changed procedures after the accident

“They are a good company, they got straight onto it. Now there are no ladders, they use machines now.”

However he added that it is important that people don’t wait for an accident and should think long and hard about the risks and potential consequences.

“You can feel confident about doing a job – which I did – but you have to take the time to sit there and think, ‘no I don’t want to do it like that’, and speak up.”

“And the name of the game is that you must have your PPE. One cheap piece of plastic kept me alive. It might not save you every time, but it worked this time!”

Get reliable, affordable safety equipment and a wide range of PPE, simply contact L&A Safety or pop in at one of our branches in Cape Town, Vredenberg or Robertson.

The Right Boot for the Job

For those unclear on what they need, a simple conversation with the foreman, HR representative or safety manager can shed some light on safety needs. These needs can vary from types of jobs to work environments as many require different safety footwear that satisfies everything from toe protection to more specialized needs like static-dissipating or puncture-resistant.

Ladder work: One of the biggest hazards when climbing a ladder is slipping off the ladder rung, which is a serious danger when using a six-foot or taller ladder. Ladder safety is paramount, but a boot that takes the job into consideration will help deliver a better experience for the wearer.

A defined heel can help prevent a worker from slipping off a wrung. Workers often on ladders should look for 90-degree heels that offer better stability on ladders. Many manufactures also incorporate ladder grips or ladder locks built into the sole. This raised rubber pad is designed to work with the grooves on the ladder to help provide additional safety.

Welding: Welders have unique challenges on the job site, facing sparks, fire and extremely hot materials. They should look for footwear that is either a pull-on or features a met-guard that covers the shoelaces and allows slag and sparks to roll or bounce off the footwear. The threads in laces and the tongue of the boot are typically comprised of fabric that increases the chances of sparking, catching fire or even having sparks and materials get into the boot, burning the foot and causing sometimes severe injury.

Welders should also look for outsoles that have higher heat ratings, to help reduce the chance of melting. These higher-performing outsoles are often made of rubber and mixes of nitrile, rubber and Kevlar.

Pull-on or Wellington boots work well in welding environments as they limit exposure of threads and laces. Footwear for welders should always feature an all leather upper, which will wear longer and resist burning unlike fabric counterparts.

Electricians: It’s important for electricians to wear non-metallic and non-conductive footwear. These shoes prevent the wearer from completing the electric circuit to the ground and in some cases can help to ground a charge and eliminate the threat of electrocution.

Carpenters and home builders: Construction sites are often covered with puncture hazards, such as shards of metal and popped nails. For individuals working in and around such environments, finding a work boot that features a puncture-resistant outsole will help to better protect the feet. Puncture-resistant boots feature a special plate between the insole and sole of the boot, providing the extra safety needed.

Wet conditions: In wet or slick conditions, such as indoor manufacturing or light industrial, workers would be well-served to seek out footwear that provides excellent non-slip outsoles. These outsoles are typically made from rubber. Some manufactures take a serious look at how a boot performs in slick conditions, designing channels, ridges and depressions that divert liquid along with outsoles that increase surface area, ultimately providing better traction and increased stability on slippery surfaces.

Management: Managers and other company officials not typically on the job site or work floor may take for granted the need for proper safety gear. For those who may tour, supervise or visit these environments, having a pair of safety boots made from protective materials and possessing the safety and performance features needed on that particular job site may help prevent a work site injury.

Work boots today are incredibly versatile in both form and function. Those not typically accustomed to safety footwear can find silhouettes that resemble hiking boots, sneakers or even dress shoes, all without sacrificing safety.

Future trends in PPE

Good fit, comfort and sustainability, in relation to PPE, were three areas of focus in a recently published report identifying growth areas for PPE. The report was compiled using recent global research in occupational health and safety trends.

The report focuses on two areas where effective use of PPE can minimise risks – hearing and respiratory protection.

Effectiveness of PPE is governed by the fit and one size will not fit all, when it comes to hearing and respiratory protection. Fortunately, technology has developed in response to demand and the report draws attention to innovative new fit testing techniques for hearing and respiratory protection that allow health and safety managers to confirm that the PPE is suitable for each individual. The report also looks into improvements in design, as workers demand that their respirators release hot humid air quickly to avoid build-up of unpleasant heat inside their masks.

An emerging issue it highlights is the need for end-of-service life indicators for respirators. Currently, the cartridge change schedule is based on modelling, but the report looks to future developments in end-of-service life indicators that may allow workers to tailor the cartridge change schedule to individual situations.

The report draws attention to the importance of comfort as well as the potential fit and comfort problems created by combining separate items of PPE. The report says ‘When PPE is competing for space on the same face and head, and the products are designed to be used individually, workers may be tempted to remove or improperly use one component or the other’. The report urges safety and health professionals consider all the different types of PPE being used when selecting specific models and to provide equipment that works well together, in terms of fit and comfort.

Other trends detailed in the report include: managing PPE supply and demand through a vending machine, the need for customised PPE for certain industries, and sustainability.

The advantages of using a vending machine for dispensing PPE include being able to track which employee and department received each piece of equipment. The machine also notifies the distributor when stock needs to be replenished.

It is easy to see that demand for industry-specific PPE would increase as the knowledge around what is causing health and safety problems increases. Industries cited in the report as potentially benefiting from specifically designed PPE, include mining – where hearing loss is a huge issue, food and beverage – where respirators need to protect against particulate hazards, such as flour and grain, and the military, which has to combine hearing protection with the need to be able to hear and communicate instructions. Although not mentioned in the report, increasing use and awareness of the risks of nanomaterials could also lead to more demand for specifically designed PPE.

Sustainability is a worthy inclusion in the report and also an important one. Companies are increasingly looking to become more sustainable in the way they operate and companies manufacturing and providing PPE are no exception.

The report states that currently PPE manufacturers use materials derived from fossils resources – such as polyester, polyamide, polyethylene and other polymers – and in the future PPE manufacturers may look at using more biopolymers for disposable PPE, and other natural fibres, such as hemp and linen.

The report also reminds that improvement in tracking and tracing and the addition of end-of-service indicators would help extend the life of PPE and so reduce its carbon footprint.