How to choose the right respirator or dust mask

Home and garden projects may involve exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins, like paint fumes, solvents, dust, adhesives, pesticides and cleaning products. In addition to proper ventilation, a respirator or dust mask will go a long way in protecting your lungs and health.

However, respirators and dust masks aren’t all the same; there are different kinds to choose from. At home and around the workshop, a particulate filter or chemical cartridge respirator are likely to be all you’ll need. Take a look through L&A Safety's range of products, including a variety of respirators and dust masks!

Particulate Filters: These include disposable dust masks, which are the most common type of air-purifying devices for home use. Particulate filters can be disposable or reusable with replaceable filters. They cover your nose and mouth and provide protection from airborne particles, such as dust, mists, liquids and some fumes.

When you are choosing a dust mask, consider:

- Masks with an adjustable nose piece offer a tighter fit.

- Disposable masks with foam face seals will be more comfortable and a little more effective.

- Masks with an exhalation valve will make breathing easier.

- For highly toxic particles (such as asbestos), choose a non-disposable mask with sealing gaskets.

Chemical Cartridge Respirators: These respirators contain special carbon filtering material that absorbs gases and vapours from the air. The replaceable cartridges are inserted in a mask that seals tightly around the edges to block out unfiltered air. Cartridge respirators may be half-mask or full-face.

Respirator Safety Tips:

- Notice Smells
Change the filter if you notice any changes in smells or taste, or if your throat, nose, or lungs become irritated.

- Breathe Easy
You should also change your respirator if it becomes clogged and hard to breathe through.

- Keep Dry
Many respirators, especially disposable ones, become ineffective if they get wet.

- Follow Instructions
Replace filters as instructed on the package.

- Don’t Reuse
Disposable respirators aren’t meant to be used more than once.

- Throw Away if Broken
Discard any respirator or filter canister that is dirty or damaged. Replace gas masks if rubber seals are damaged.

A respirator is an extremely important device that protects your mouth and nose from any harmful chemicals or toxins. Make sure to choose the right respirator or dust mask according to your needs.

L&A Safety pride themselves on being a one stop destination for all of your Personal Protection Equipment - We are waiting to take your call, contact us today! Milnerton : 021 552 - 0665; Vredenburg : 022 713 - 3149; Robertson : 076 532 - 5533.

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!

Running in combat boots made comfortable

Running in combat boots doesn’t need to be painful if you have good boots for running! If you’re a police officer or security guard, you’ll be grateful to have a solid pair of boots that are built to move. 

Here are some of the design features of the best boots for running.

> Good Fit. If you’re going to be running in combat boots, you want them to be snug, but not too tight. Your heel shouldn’t wiggle at all in the boot when chasing after someone or moving to a different position.

> Traction. A solid outsole will help you keep your stride, and prevent you from slipping and sliding around any tight corners.

> Flexibility. When your foot moves, it flexes. Flexible boots offer a wider range of motion, allowing you to move quicker and easier.

> Breathable. A breathable boot means not as much sweat, and if you’re running hard, you’re going to sweat!

> Lightweight. The more weight you put on your feet, the more effort you have to use when running. Choose lightweight boots to make running a breeze.

Take a look at L&A Safety's wide range of combat boots that are not only of the highest quality, but are also sold at an affordable price! Order today, or visit one of their branches in Vredenburg, Robertson or Milnerton.

But why is it so important to have combat boots built for running? Well, it matters if you’re in the army or part of the police. After all being part of an elite combat unit means swiftly and strategically relocating positions and improvising on the go. It means being able to tread lightly and keep quiet. So you can’t wear old-fashioned trench boots that were passed down from your grandfather.

Failure to pay attention to minor details when you purchase a good pair of combat boots can end up in careless and unnecessary mistakes that can’t be undone.

A solid pair of combat boots not only protect you from the elements, but also help you to move fast enough to reach objectives and complete import tasks efficiently.

Don’t let a cheap, lousy pair of boots be your mistake. If you’re a law enforcement officer, security guard or soldier, you’ll know how critical boots are to the job! 

Protective clothing is a must in mining

There are many potential hazards and risks that you may come across while working on mining work sites. It is vital for employees to wear the correct safety equipment and follow the safety protocols to protect their health.

Here are some reasons why protective clothing and equipment is so important:

 - Get noticed. Employees who wear high visibility gear are much more likely to be seen by other people. This is especially important if employees are working near machinery or a road.

- Protect their skin. Protective clothing is specifically designed to protect employees’ skin from cuts, grazes or any other injury.

- Barrier to the elements. Employees are often required to work in extreme conditions such as rain, high winds, cold and extreme heat.

The types of protective equipment used in the mining industry includes safety goggles, steel-toed boots, safety helmets, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, high visibility vests, ear plugs and hats.

Businesses are required to train their employees on the appropriate way to wear protective equipment and how to use it correctly.

Organisations must also ensure anyone visiting the workplace wears the appropriate protective equipment where necessary. It’s then essential to inform any visitors of safety procedures and alert them of potential hazards.

But, where can you buy this clothing? It is important to purchase the right personal protective clothing for each specific situation to protect employee’s health and safety. It would be a good idea to check out landasafety.co.za, where they have a wide range of personal protective equipment.

Wearing protective clothing when working in the mining industry won’t stop accidents from happening, but it can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and health problems.

Dry feet are comfortable feet

Most work boots come pre water-proofed these days, but if they are not, it really pays to treat the leather surfaces of your boots. Exposing your feet to moisture for long periods of time can really damage skin tissue, cause fungus and even athlete’s foot.

It helps to learn how to clean and care for your work boots, so you can keep your feet dry, cool and happy at all times.

If your job calls for long hours spent outdoors in a region that receives more than above average rainfall, consider opting for a boot with a more breathable material. Also, a moisture wicking lining will draw moisture away from your feet if any water does happen to get inside.

Comfort is tied to performance; it’s hard to be at the top of your game if you can’t focus on anything besides your aching or wet feet. If you want your feet to remain comfortable throughout the workday, look for snug-fitting working boots with a great insole.

Comfortable boots that keep your feet dry are not just a luxury, they’re a necessity – buy yourself a quality pair of work boots today. L&A Safety is a great place to look, they have a wide range to choose from, including other safety wear and equipment.

Why should you were gumboots when you go fishing?

What you wear when you go fishing is vitally important; if you are cold and wet, you simply cannot concentrate and you’ll probably want to pack up your fishing gear early. You don’t want to waste your own time, so once you decide you would like to embark on a fishing trip, make sure you have the right gear, including gumboots.

If you know you’re never going to wade into the water, then there is no need to buy yourself waders. A good pair of gumboots and waterproof leggings will do the job, but always make sure the quality is of the highest. L&A Safety has a wide range of affordable, yet high-grade gumboots to choose from. They are waterproof, yet light and comfortable – get yourself a pair today!

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.