Safety Must-Haves for Every Industry

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Potential hazards are found in every workplace,
and in some industries, the day-to-day
environment can pose serious risks to
hard-working employees. Keeping up with safety
mandates from various federal and state agencies,
as well as professional guidelines within each
industry, is the responsibility of the
employer. Protect your greatest assetyour
workforcefrom unnecessary risk, at the same time
as you ensure longevity of your plant and
equipment. Ultimately, the rewards in greater
productivity, lowered costs, and best quality
products and services will make for a healthier
bottom line.
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Key federal agencies overseeing industrial safety
are the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), along with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), a division of the CDC. 1 Besides
accounting for the latest guidelines in specific
industries and from state agencies, be sure to
perform regular, thorough surveys of all work
areas to monitor safety and identify trouble
spots. Then take steps to remedy them, or prevent
their occurrence in the first place. Many
industrial functions require protective clothing
or uniforms to optimize worker health and
minimize risk.
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Depending on the environment and job function,
options range from flame-resistant shirtswork or
dress styleto denim pants, coveralls, and more
specialized protection. Look for a specific Arc
or ATPV rating to match the right flame-resistant
(FR) garment with each function.
Each workplace has a different set of potential
hazards. Protective clothing should be chosen
accordingly. Employer supplied uniforms are a
smart investment, and help ensure that the
company is meeting official guidelines.
In general, all parts of the body should be
secured against possible exposure to threats such
as chemical splashing, automotive oils and
caustic fluids, excessive heat, flames, or
electrical dangers.
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Now more than ever, the right apparel for
dedicated medical professionals is essential for
their own protection and for public
safety. Protective clothing can be as simple as
scrubs or a long lab coat, or as specialized as a
surgical barrier gown. Uniform suppliers offer
reassuring solutions to the complex set of
apparel choices employers must make. Take
advantage of special laundering and delivery
services that maintain uniforms with repairs to
avoid safety hazards like frayed edges, to keep
up the highest standards of sanitation.
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High visibility safety clothing is valuable in
many industrial settings. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) is the common source
for standards that protect the safety and health
of consumers and workers, while ensuring the
global position of the American economy as a
trusted source of quality goods. ANSI has
established three general classes that group
reflective clothing and degrees of visibility
according to function and assessed risk. Class I
garments are appropriate when the wearer can
fully attend to oncoming traffic, for example,
parking lot attendants. Class II garments are
needed in environments that offer less
visibility, as with school crossing guards who
operate around potentially distracted
drivers. Class III garments, the highest level
of reflective wear, are called for in the most
potentially hazardous settings, such as highway
construction work, utility repairs, and emergency
responders.2
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High-visibility safety garments must indicate an
ANSI compliance rating that is suitable for the
industry and the work environment. Reflective
apparel may be as simple as a safety vest, or
extend to pants, shirts, and outerwear. Comfortab
le protective clothing is fundamental to
achieving true safety. Apparel that is worn for
long work shifts can become uncomfortable if it
is confining or it doesnt accommodate individual
sizes and common movements. Look for items that
have built-in features for ease of wear, like
snaps instead of buttons, breakaway zippers, and
adjustable side vents. The convenience of full
cleaning and laundering services for uniforms is
a direct benefit to employees, saving them
valuable time and directly supplementing
household budgets. The end result will be
consistently improved compliance with safety wear
standards.
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Be sure that visitors and employees alike enter a
safe environment when coming to your facility.
Safety floor mats are one simple, yet vital
component in minimizing risks and reducing
hazards at work. Logo mats can be a strong visual
component in your company image, and safety
message mats give clear visual cues to build
awareness. Everyone, from maintenance crew to
executive staff, should rely on a non-slip
surface when taking that first step into the
workplace, or standing for long periods at a work
station. Source the best quality so that the mat
itself does not become a trip hazard. Look for a
manufacturer like Prudential Overall Supply that
participates in National Floor Safety Institute
(NFSI) standards. The NFSI is a non-profit group
that promotes research, education, and standards
development.
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Since 1932, Prudential Overall Supply has
supplied top quality uniforms for sale and rental
in all kinds of settings, from medical to
industrial. Known for developing the first
contaminant-free garments used by NASA for
astronaut John Glenns 1962 mission to orbit the
Earth, we are pioneers in cleanroom garment
service. Currently, we serve more than 25,000
customers, including 110 Fortune 500 companies.
Contact us at www.prudentialuniforms.com or call
1-800-767-5536 for more information.