PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
03 Nov 2011
The personal protection equipment specified for the external works industry generally relates to landscape contracting and maintenance workers involved in the use of chemicals and heavy equipment.
The personal protection equipment specified for the external works industry generally relates to landscape contracting and maintenance workers involved in the use of chemicals (such as pesticides or mulch products) and heavy equipment (such as garden tractors, loaders, chippers, blowers chain saws, etc).
General Personal Protection Equipment Tips for Landscaping
Use certified Personal Protection Equipment standard safety footwear with toe caps and non-skid soles.
Always be sun safe. Here the best personal protection equipment is sun protection factor SPF of 30 or higher and re-apply as required throughout the day, or wear lightweight pants and shirts with a broad brimmed hat.
Use personal protection equipment standard head protection when working under branches of falling objects.
Use personal protection equipment eye protection when dust or debris is involved, or when using cleaning agents, spraying or dusting.
Use personal protection equipment vibration-absorbing gloves when appropriate for vibrating tools.
Suitable chemical-resistant rubber or plastic gloves must be worn when handling fertilizers pesticides and other chemicals (see more under personal protection equipment for chemical use below).
Wear personal protection equipment hearing devices when using heavy machinery.
Take regular breaks, and hydrate.
Personal Protection Equipment for Pesticide Use
Herbicides and pesticides can be irritating or corrosive to skin, which is the primary source of exposure unless personal protection equipment is used. Some pesticides come in powdered form, or as a mist, which means landscape, workers run the risk of exposure through inhalation unless the right personal protection equipment for the job is being used.
When selecting personal protection equipment for a job, always read the manufacturer’s recommendations as they vary from product to product. Some chemicals used in landscaping can cause death if exposure is significant, so selection of the appropriate personal protection equipment for the job is critical.
Personal Protection Equipment suitable for pesticide use may include chemical protective clothing, aprons, headwear, gloves, eyewear and boots. To protect personnel from inhalation of dangerous chemicals purchase the personal protection equipment standard respirator that is deemed appropriate for the job.
Chances of exposure are reduced if workers stay upwind of all spraying operations, follow manufacturers instructions, wear light disposable gloves under protective gloves, store contaminated clothing separately from family clothing and launder clothing professionally.
Personal Protection Equipment for Trimmers and Cutters
When trimming or cutting personnel should wear personal protection equipment standard sturdy overalls or long pants, heavy-duty gloves, safety boots, safety goggles (or face screen and safety glasses) and hearing protection.
Personal Protection Equipment For Leaf Blowers
Blowers cause eye-damage, so it is critical that the area is cleared of people before work is started, and that the operator wears personal protection equipment standard glasses and a facemask.
Personal Protection Equipment for Rid-on Lawnmowers
The suitable personal protection equipment to get when using a ride-on mower is hearing and head protection plus safety glasses. Wear close fitting clothes plus sturdy non-slip footwear.
Personal Protection Equipment for Tree Cutting
Use the appropriate approved personal protection equipment standard safety belts, lifelines, and leather gauntlet gloves. Wear personal protective equipment standard head and eye protection and footwear, plus chose close-fitting long-sleeved clothing.
Training for use of Personal Protection Equipment
Most Landscape Contractors, and Landscape Maintenance Workers are trained in the use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) when earning their Certificates to get started. Personal Protection Equipment alone does not do the job, it is the knowledge and ability to select and use the right Personal Protection Equipment at the right time that makes the difference in reduction of industrial accidents.
Protective Clothing in the Workplace for Landscape Workers (Outdoor Design Backgrounder)
Landscape workers are exposed to numerous risks, which can be ameliorated by protective clothing in the workplace. The following is intended as a general guideline to help employers get started and start to identify the risks and hence protective clothing required.
Common injuries among landscape workers include:
• Cuts and punctures to food and hand
• Amputations
• Exposure (sun and cold)
• Reparative strain
• Back injury
• Eye injury
• Exposure to chemicals
For this reason protective clothing must be worn in the workplace, and training in its selection and use must be given.
Protective clothing in the workplace - Exposure
Outdoor workers experience routine exposure to heat, cold and rain. Protective clothing in the workplace suitable to prevent exposure varies according to climactic conditions, and includes durable, lightweight, light-coloured clothing to repel heat, plus Moisture-proof thermals to insulate the body during winter.
Protective clothing in the workplace – Skin protection
Protective clothing plays a critical role in protecting skin from sunburn, scratches, plus bites from insects. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are suitable for most outdoor jobs.
Protective clothing in the workplace – Visibility
As many outdoor workers are working places that involve human or vehicular traffic, clothing in a high visibility colour is important.
Protective Clothing in the Workplace – Foot care
Outdoor workers are on their feet most of the day. Sturdy personal protection equipment standard work boots are critical to protect feet from cutters, heavy equipment and dropped materials.
Protective Clothing in the workplace – Hand Care
The hands of outdoor workers are often subject to blisters, splinters, scratches, cuts and punctures. Sturdy personal protection equipment standard gloves are the solution. Special care must be taken when selecting gloves as protective clothing in workplaces where there is exposure to chemicals – always read the manufacturer’s warnings in regards to personal protection equipment when chemicals are concerned.
Protective Clothing in the workplace – Eyes
Flying objects from cutters, chain saws, shredders etc can cause harm to eye tissue. The appropriate personal protection equipment is usually a combination of safety glasses with face shield, or full mask if chemicals are involved. Glasses should have UV protection.
Protective Clothing in the workplace – Ears
Outdoor workers are exposed to loud noises from chainsaws and other mechanized equipment. Wear the personal protective equipment standard earmuffs specified for the job.
Protective Clothing in the workplace – Limbs
Chainsaws and other cutters are extremely dangerous and often produce the most devastating industrial accidents among outdoor workers. Always used the appropriate helmet and facemask plus chainsaw chaps when operating these devices.
Protective Clothing in the workplace – Fine Motor Skills
Repetitive strain type injuries commonly result after a long period of using an improperly fitting or badly sharpened hand tool. Make sure your hand tools fit properly and are maintained with a daily inspection session.
Proper use of protective clothing in the workplace is everyone’s business. Protective clothing in the workplace is a proven resource, and must become the habit of both employers and employees to reduce industrial accidents in external works projects. Through use of personal protective clothing in the workplace accidents and injuries have been reduced. Young workers are the most vulnerable when it comes to correct use of protective clothing, due to inexperience, lack of familiarity or lack of training. If you see a young worker not using protective clothing then it is your duty to rectify the situation and help prevent injury.
Training in the use of protective clothing in the workplace is available in most states and is normally part of a Landscape workers initial certificate. It is part of the standard Landscape Horticulture Certificate in most states, so the basic concepts in use of personal protective clothing in the workplace should be understood by most graduates when they become apprentices.