3 Tips For Maintaining Your Employee Protection Equipment
Posted on: 16 April 2018
Safety and productivity in the workplace go together; employees cannot be productive if they aren't safe. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure your team is safe, and accomplishing this goal involves more than simply providing safety gear. To accomplish this goal, it's also vital to ensure that the protective gear remains in good condition; learn how you can do this.
Create an Inspection Schedule
At the foundation of keeping your protective gear in good condition is a commitment to routine inspections. Inspections are vital for a variety of different reasons, but primarily to ensure your protective gear is in good condition.
How frequently you need to inspect your equipment will depend largely on how often you use your equipment. For example, if your team members use the equipment daily, weekly inspections may be appropriate. However, for gear that is only used a few times a year, bi-annual inspections may be appropriate. Use this tip as a baseline to establish a regular schedule.
Provide Training
Safety equipment is only helpful when it is used correctly. If your team members don't know how to use the gear accordingly, the gear is little more than an accessory. Take protective pants for welding, for instance. All employees should understand that they are not to cuff the pants as a cuff in the pants may leave an area of exposed skin, which is a serious hazard.
Regardless of professional experience, all employees should have to undergo a safety training module when they first onboard and follow-up with additional training sessions throughout their employment with your company, such as once every year.
Monitor Trends
If you've been in business long enough, you understand firsthand that trends in your industry change on an almost ongoing basis. It's vital to understand that things often change just as rapidly within the safety sector. You, as the owner, or an assigned safety officer, should commit to follow safety trends.
For example, if you've been using the same respirator masks for eight years, but there have been major improvements in the efficiency of these units within the last couple of years, it's likely time for you to make an update. Just as you always look for ways to improve your business, also look for ways to improve safety.
The more you commit to keeping your gear in good condition, the better. Make sure you are following these tips and seeking assistance from a welding supply professional to ensure your gear is up-to-date and safe.
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