Types of safety equipment

(and when to use them)

Your safety is our utmost priority here at SafetyLiftinGear. We understand that there are many different types of safety equipment on the market these days, so knowing exactly what product(s) to use – and when – can sometimes be tricky.

Obviously, the right safety equipment for the job depends entirely on the nature of the job you’re doing. With our years of experience, we can provide lots of information about the various pieces of safety equipment that we offer, as well as explaining the type of working environment that each item is designed for.

Before you undertake any potentially hazardous work, you should consider what sort of safety equipment may be needed to help keep you safe. According to UK law, your employer is responsible for providing whatever you need to do your job safely, but it can still be helpful to have some personal knowledge of this subject.

What types of safety equipment are there?

Here are some of the safety products we stock here at SafetyLiftinGear:

Height Safety Equipment

Safety harnesses, lanyards, and other products to prevent / arrest falls.

Height Safety Equipment

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Including hard hats, goggles, work gloves, hi-vis clothing and more.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Confined Space Equipment

Stay safe while working in confined spaces and oxygen-deprived environments.

Confined Space Equipment

LORRY EDGE PROTECTION STRAPS & LASHINGS

Ratchet lashings and loadbinders to keep heavy loads from coming loose.

Lorry Edge Protection

Safety Barriers

Ideal for cordoning off dangerous areas (e.g. open manholes, underneath ladders)

Safety Barriers

PERMANENT SAFETY LINES

Horizontal and vertical safety lines available – keep workers safe on roofs.

Permanent Safety Lines

EDGE PROTECTION BARRIERS

Reduce the risk of falls with these self-supporting railings that don’t damage the roof.

Edge Protection Barrier System

When should i use safety equipment?

There are many different situations that can necessitate the use of safety equipment while working. For example, you should not undertake any of the following without the right safety products:

Working with hazardous chemicals

Working at height

Operating dangerous machinery

Working around flying or falling objects

Working in extreme temperatures

Working with hazadous chemicals

Working with electricity

Working in confined spaces

Why is safety equipment important?

There are many different situations that can necessitate the use of safety equipment while working. For example, you should not undertake any of the following without the right safety products:

Fatal injuries to workers by most common accident kinds

Non-fatal injuries to workers by most common accident kinds

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm

How to select the right type of safety equipment

When selecting safety equipment, you should ask yourself the following questions:

Which worker(s) will be exposed to what hazards?

How long will they be exposed for?

Has existing equipment been maintained well, or does it need replacing?

Has the necessary training been provided to all workers involved?

Is the equipment suitable for the user? For instance, does it fit properly?

What are my employer's responsibilities?

It is your employer’s legal duty to provide you with the right training and equipment to ensure that you can work safely at all times.

Information

Must be clear, explaining the risks and hazards faced by you, the worker. It must outline whatever measures your employer is putting in place to control and reduce risks, and should also explain any emergency procedures you are expected to follow in detail.

Instructions

Should be clear and concise, and should outline the roles of each person involved in the hazardous activity.

Training

Should be provided during normal working hours and must be provided at no cost to you, the employee. Your training should be relevant and effective so that you feel confident undertaking potentially hazardous work before you begin.

Supervision

You and your colleagues should be supervised at all times while undertaking dangerous work.

Equipment

Essential equipment should be provided to you free of charge in order to ensure that you are protected (as best as possible) from health and safety risks.

About SafetyLiftinGear, your safety equipment specialists

At SafetyLiftinGear.com, we offer a wide range of safety products for all kinds of different working environments. Whether you are working at height, in a confined space, or on a busy construction site, we can provide whatever you need to complete the job safely.

If you have any questions about the types of safety equipment we supply, how the equipment works, and when you should use it, our Customer Service team will be more than happy to help. Get in touch today to find out more.