Industrial Safety Gear

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 outlines certain responsibilities that employers have in regard to the well-being of their employees in the workplace. The use of industrial safety gear, or PPE equipment is a key part of each company's workplace safety plan. It is the responsibility of the safety manager to ensure that each employee is provided with a work space that is free from serious hazards and that the site is in compliance with the regulations laid out in the OSHA act.

Employers are also required by law to make sure that their people have safe tools and equipment available to use in the workplace. The OSHA act also enforces the fact that employees must be informed of OSHA PPE regulations and potential hazardous and activities through the use of workplace posters. Management also must keep proper records regarding accidents and make citations and accident logs available for inspection by employees and their representatives.

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OSHA PPE Requirements

Part number 1910 of the OSHA act outlines the standards that companies must meet in respect to personal protective equipment in the workplace. OSHA PPE standards dictate that employees must be protected from hazardous materials and situations whenever possible through the use of eye, face, head, and extremity protective gear. Respiratory devices and protective shields must also be used when there is a risk of exposure to a dangerous chemical hazards or other hazard.

Industrial safety gear may be provided by the employer, or the employee may provide equipment at his or her own expense. The management of the employing company is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is of the proper level of protection and is maintained properly, regardless of who actually owns the equipment. It is also the job of the manager to assess the worksite, identify potential hazards, and identify the safety gear that is necessary to protect workers on the job.

The OSHA act also holds employers responsible for training employees in regards to the use of PPE equipment. Employees should know what gear to use, and when to use it as well as how to use it, the limitations of the equipment, how to care for it, and when to replace it. A properly trained employee outfitted with all of the necessary safety equipment is less likely to injure himself on the job.