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!

Safety Gear that every DIY Enthusiast Should Own!

Safety gear is just as important as your most precious tools in your toolbox; it’s there to protect you!

Here are the five most important pieces of safety gear that every DIYer should own...

  ü  Safety glasses

When you’re working with dangerous chemicals, sparks, debris, etc. you’re going to need a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes. You should have a few pairs of safety glasses lying around in your toolbox. Why? Because their cheap and easy to find. Stick to buying glasses from a reliable source like L&A Safety – visit their website here.

  ü  Hearing protection

Power tools are much louder than you may think; listening to them all day long could damage your ears and even lead to hearing loss. Earmuffs are your best bet as they are comfortable to wear and block most of the noise out. If you’d rather go for the cheaper option, earplugs can be worn but they’re not as comfortable.

  ü  Masks and respirators

Inhaling asbestos, mould and fibreglass can make you seriously ill, so wearing a mask is an absolute must when it comes to doing demolition work. Respirator masks are comfortable to wear and provide more protection than disposable masks.

  ü  Gloves

For at home work, a light pair of leather, canvas or cloth gloves are vital. Steer clear of those huge bulky gloves that take ages just to wear in. The best gloves you can buy for your tool box offer proper protection but are still easy to wear.

  ü  Work boots

Just like your gloves, your boots should be reliable, yet still comfortable to wear. When you’re busy doing your DIY projects you need foot gear that can protect your feet from falling objects, water and even ensure you don’t slip.

Make sure you have these essentials in your toolbox at all times!

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.

If you love DIY projects – There are five pairs of gloves you should never be without

A good pair of gloves is vital for performing different tasks around the house, garden or garage. Plus they make great gifts for the mechanic of home-improvement nut in your life. L&A Safety can offer you a full range of gloves to choose from for all your different DIY projects - Check out the website here and place your order!

Here are five pairs of gloves you should never be without if you love DIY…

Nitrile Gloves – These gloves hold up to the toughness of many uses, including engine swaps and mechanical teardowns. The only downside to wearing gloves like these is the loss of dexterity, so getting the right size is crucial. Nitrile gloves are resistant to most chemicals, but grease and oil will eventually render them useless. However, whether you are a professional or a weekend warrior, these are essential.

Latex Gloves – These gloves should be thicker than the ones at the doctor’s office, and be able to handle most chemicals. They are especially useful when packing wheel bearings and doing oil changes, plus a pair in the back of your truck can really help in any roadside emergency. Multiple uses are obviously out of the question, but they make clean up quick and easy!

Leather Palm Work Gloves – Also known as general use or inspection gloves, these thin latex gloves are great when using cleaning chemicals like bleach or heavy engine degreaser. They are also great for applying a clay bar as they keep oil skins from contaminating the clay.

Latex-Dipped Work Glove – When you’re handling heavy and obscure objects that don’t require much dexterity, these gloves can handle just about anything. If you’re going to be carrying heavy engine blocks, transmission cases and axle housings around, these are definitely a must!

Welding Gloves – No matter what kind of welding you do, it can pose a serious threat to your hands. An insulated pair of welding gloves is a key part of safety. You may have tried to weld without gloves, but once you get burned once, you will never make that mistake again.

While many products focus on protecting the eyes and ears, it is actually the hands that usually bear the brunt of most garage and DIY hazards. This is why it is essential to have the right work gloves for every occasion!

Food Handling Gloves – What you need to know

When preparing or cooking food, food handling gloves are a vital item to use. We expect all people working in restaurants to use gloves, right?

Well, sometimes you see someone at a café or food deli making your sandwich with their bare hands, and your first though is probably – are their hands clean? Proper hand washing and wearing food handling gloves can really cut down on bacteria and germs.

So, what are some of the benefits of wearing gloves when preparing or handling food:

1. Wearing gloves keeps your hands odor and stain free! No one wants their hands to smell like garlic or onions for days on end. And what about those horrible stains you get on your hands from working with beetroot and berries? When you wear food handling gloves, you can just slip them off afterwards and your hands will be clean and fresh.

2. Gloves protect your hands. If you have any cuts or scratches, even a small paper cut, food can sneak in and cause pain or infection. Gloves act as a barrier to keep wounds clean and help them heal faster.

3. You can be protected from illness if you wear gloves when handling food. Raw foods, like chicken contains a lot of germs and bacteria that can carry dangerous diseases and illnesses. Even once you have washed your hands multiple times, some bacteria can still be left behind and settle under your nails.

4. Protecting your food is also important, but even if you wash your hands they still carry a lot of germs and bacteria. So, when working with food that is already prepared it is wise to put on a pair of food handling gloves. It may seem a little inconvenient, but everyone should do it, even if you are chopping veggies for a salad of plating a meal at a restaurant. You don’t want to spread any germs to your friends, family or customers.

5. Wearing gloves can protect your nails and rings from

getting ruined. There is nothing more frustrating than chipping your nail on the vegetable peeler. Not to mention, that missing ring or piece of nail polish may have fallen into whatever you are preparing.

A good pair of gloves in the kitchen goes a long way to prevent germs and so much more. Once you find the right pair for yourself, you’ll never go without them again! For a wide range of gloves to choose from, visit L&A Safety or take a look at their website today.