CONSTRUCTION CLOTHING

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CONSTRUCTION CLOTHING
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Introduction

• Construction Clothing Safety Standards pertain to
  all of the following
• Eye Protection
• Face Protection
• Head Protection
• Foot Protection
• Protection for Extremities

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Statistics

• In a study conducted by Strategic Marketing
  Assn.
• Workers responded that they do not use PPE more
  regularly because their employers do not require
  or enforce use.
• Only 3/4 of workers wear hardhats,
  nigh-visibility apparel and safety boots when
  needed
• Only 4 out of ten workers regularly wear face
  shields, air-purifying or air-supplied
  respirators and protective coveralls when needed.
  
• Workers also stated that PPE is often
  uncomfortable and impairs job performance.
• Survey results are available at
  www.safetyequipment.org.

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OSHA Regulations

• 1926.28a
• The employer is responsible for requiring the
  wearing of appropriate PPE in all operations
  where there is an exposure to hazardous
  conditions or where this part indicates the need
  for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to
  the employees.

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OSHA Regulations

• 1926.95a
• Personal protective equipment shall be provided,
  used, and maintained wherever it is necessary by
  reason of hazards of process or environment,
  chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or
  mechanical irritants encountered in a manner
  capable of causing injury or impairment of the
  body through absorption, inhalation or physical
  contact.

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Clothing Requirements

• All safety clothing must be functional, durable,
  and inconspicuous.
• Functional-Use is unhampered by the construction
  technique utilized.
• Durable-Stitching is secure and garment is made
  of quality materials (fabrics, interfacing,
  notions, trims).
• Inconspicuous-Area is free from bulk, flat, and
  smooth stitching is straight and a uniform
  distance from the edges or folds.
• New Mexico State University Construction
  Clothing Standards

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What are the acceptable standards?

• Long sleeve shirts
• To prevent exposure to the sun, electrical burns,
  and direct contact with your skin
• Light and bright colored shirts so workers are
  easily seen and to prevent overheating
• Long pants to protect legs
• Jeans or durable material
• Hard Hat (head protection)
• Goggles (eye protection)
• Close Toed Shoes (foot protection)

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What is not acceptable

• Shorts (in any construction activity)
• Sandals
• Long hair (allowed if put up)
• Jewelry
• Loose clothing (can get caught in machinery)
• Nylon around welding
• Synthetic fabrics around electrical work

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Clothing Related Incident

• A subcontractor was using a tractor-driven auger
  to drill holes for a poultry house. Earlier, the
  employer had removed the auger's rotating shaft
  guards and handle from the tractor. His shirt
  became caught in the rotating shaft and his body
  was pulled into the machine. He suffered a broken
  neck and was killed.

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Clothing Related Incidents

• An employee was shoveling debris that was left
  behind after jersey barriers were removed from
  inside a coned-off lane. The employee was struck
  by a loaded freightliner tractor trailer and was
  pronounced dead at the scene. The employee was
  not wearing a hard hat, his traffic vest was
  dirty and not reflective, his clothing was dark,
  and the work area was not illuminated. Fatigue of
  both the truck driver and the employee probably
  contributed to the accident.

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Before Entering a Site

• Make sure all clothing is according to OSHA
  regulation standards
• Make sure you are wearing the correct clothing
  pending on the situation or task at hand safety
  vests, protective rainwear, protecting welding
  clothing etc.

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Conclusion

• Although clothing is not the cause of many
  fatalities, it does contribute to many injuries.
• Wearing proper clothing protects you, your crew,
  and the company you work for.
• If you are ever unsure of what is the acceptable
  standard of clothing for a specific task, refer
  to the OSHA regulations.
• Never neglect to wear protective clothing because
  you are lazy or the clothing is uncomfortable.