When winter bears down, here are a few pointers on selecting and recommending the appropriate protective gear to keep workers warm on the job.
Remember that childhood singalong favorite, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes?” Well, it’s a handy line to help you plan what you need to select gear-wise as the weather turns from crisp to frigid.
Even if your business handles most of its work indoors, there are at least a few folks who must deal with the elements while on the clock. So how should you identify personal protective equipment needs correctly?
Think about that children’s song and start at the top, working your way down: head, face and eyes; body; and hands and feet
“Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them,” the agency website notes on its Winter Weather Preparedness page.
And here’s another recommendation: Think less about the cold and more about heat, says Dr. Richard Ingebretsen of the University of Utah School of Medicine in a WebMD article.
“There’s really no such thing as ‘cold,’ when you’re talking about the body,” he says. “There’s always heat—it’s just a matter of keeping it in.”
Let’s look at those four areas that you’ll want to protect to keep warmth in.
Talk to Us!
Thank you for this article. It is very helpful.
21Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *