Contractor Safety |
Working as a contractor or construction worker comes with a lot of risks. There are certain pieces of safety gear that you need to have on hand depending on the job you plan to do. From
welding helmets
to insulated boots, some jobs require extra precaution.
Let us start with the basics. Steel toe boots and work gloves should be a part of every worker's life. You don't need to go crazy with the gloves but a solid set of classic leather work gloves will save your hands and keep you from getting a cut or abrasion that would stop you from being able to work. I do suggest getting a nice set of steel toe boots and spending a bit more money than you may want to. A well designed set of boots should be more comfortable than the nicest set of dress shoes you have and offer good protection.
If you are working with electricity, I suggest getting a pair of boots that are insulated so you don't ground yourself and end up in the emergency room. We have all seen someone get zapped so it's best to take a little precaution and avoid turning into the story that people use to scare the new guys.
If you are dealing with welding or plasma cutting in your job then you are going to want some welding goggles at the very least but I suggest upgrading to welding helmets. They are a bit more cumbersome and they can get hot but the first time you get a spark in the cheek you are going to wish that you had given welding helmets a second thought.
The last piece of safety equipment that you need is a hardhat. If you are working in a one level machine shop then you don't really need to worry about it. One any jobs with tools or materials overhead, you will want to get a hardhat and most sites won't let you in unless you are wearing one. They aren't expensive. Get two and keep them in your trunk.
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