For most people and businesses, workplace safety comes down to the effective use of mats and stoppers. But when you’re talking about businesses and workplaces that place their people at a greater risk for harm, then it’s critical that equipment like eye protection safety glasses figure in any discussion. These include businesses that have an extensive warehouse and internal inventory operations as well as those into construction and renovation work — where harm’s way is an everyday reality.
If you’re thinking about investing in more or even better personal protective equipment, here are four of the biggest things that you need to seriously consider.
1. Protection from Self Liability
One of the biggest challenges that people face when talking about workplace injuries is a question of liability. For companies, this invariably means that they’re ultimately at fault when they fail to provide their people with protection from identified danger on the job.
Just as important, however, is a worker’s own initiative to use any protective equipment that they’re given. When they don’t op for it due to inadequate education, they also place themselves at a loss when injuries occur. If you truly care about your people, investing in protective equipment is the way to go.
2. Protection from Long-Term Harm
Beyond the equipment protecting your workers from physical harm, there is also a great risk of other lasting health risks that need to be considered.
Chemicals and compounds that occur in high-risk workplaces usually carry the risk of long-term bodily harm — most commonly with the respiratory tract. Something as affordable as filtration masks can be a more cost-effective solution versus having to deal with the effects of these chemicals. Moreover, an accompanying educational tract aimed at teaching their different dangers is a great way to go.
3. Save Your Eyes
Among the most common of personal protective equipment are eye protection safety glasses. It makes sense considering that a staggering 2.4 million eye injuries occur annually in workplaces. Of these, around 50,000 have lost their eyesight to one degree or another.
A sad counterpoint is that studies have found that 90% of those injuries could have been prevented by the use of quality safety eyewear. It’s difficult to live when you don’t have our eyesight to depend on, so an investment in this type of personal protection is a must.
4. Improve Workday Quality
Another aspect that is rarely considered when it comes to safety equipment is psychological. The fact is, many who work in high-risk workplaces are at least subconsciously aware of the risks that they face. Whether they acknowledge it or not, it has a profound effect on their quality of life.
Issuing them dependable safety equipment addresses these concerns and provides a physical shield or assurance of their safety that goes a long way to assuage their fears. Overall, this ensures that they’re happier and more content throughout their workday.
Safety is a key consideration for responsible business owners and the investment in dependable, reliable safety equipment is one of the best ways that they can provide their people with care and protection. They key, of course, is in smart investment in the best equipment possible.
