Although many of us enjoy expressing our unique style through our clothing, the jobsite is simply not the place to make a fashion statement. If you aren’t wearing the proper clothing and personal protective gear, you are putting yourself at serious risk.
For example, there have been cases of workers suffering from severe injuries simply because they were wearing clothing that fit too loosely. When you get close to machinery, your baggy shirt or pants could be drawn into the machine, taking you with it.
If you want to stay safe on the jobsite, you have to dress for the occasion. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Just say no to jewelry
Although you might be tempted to wear your favorite watch, ring, necklace or bracelet to work, you’ll be better off leaving your jewelry at home. When you wear any type of jewelry on the jobsite, you are putting yourself at risk for a serious hand injury. Just imagine if your watch or ring were to get caught in a piece of machinery — the results could be devastating.
Shield your head
If you are on a jobsite where there are overhead hazards, you should wear a hard hat at all times. Your head is the most important and fragile part of your body. A severe blow to your head can cause a concussion, hearing problems, memory loss, confusion, seizures and even loss of smell.
You can significantly reduce your risk of a head injury simply by wearing hard hat. A survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that most workers who have suffered impact injuries to the head were not wearing head protection at the time — and the majority of these workers were injured while performing their normal jobs at their regular worksites.
Wear safety glasses
If you are working on an extremely dusty jobsite or in an area where debris is flying through the air, wear safety glasses at all times. Without the proper eye protection, some of this debris could easily enter your eye — causing discomfort, an eye injury or even blindness. On top of that, if you’re constantly squinting to keep dust or fragments from entering your eyes, you’ll have a hard time seeing what you’re doing — which could lead to mistakes and accidents. Put on your safety glasses to protect your eyes and your vision.
Although you might not like the way you look in safety glasses, a hard hat and other proper worksite clothing, remember that these items could ultimately save your life. Don’t worry about making a fashion statement at the workplace. Instead, focus on choosing the appropriate clothing and protective gear to keep yourself safe and accident-free.
