Personal Protective Equipment Safety

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

DON’T LET THE WEATHER INTERFERE

WITH WEARING THE APPROPRIATE GEAR

What are some common winter PPE mistakes?

Winter presents some challenges when it comes to PPE including:

  • Not wearing enough layers of clothing to stay warm
  • Not addressing poor traction when walking on snowy or icy surfaces

These simple yet important issues can easily be eliminated by remembering the basic fundamentals of PPE

  • Be sure to clear surfaces of ice and snow, and avoid unnecessary risks while walking.  Also, be sure to wear “ice grippers” when needed.
  • Dressing in layers is the key to staying warm.  If you do notice someone developing symptoms of cold stress (uncontrolled shivering; slurred speech; confused behavior), place a 300# call and move the person to a warm area.
  • Meet winter’s challenges by staying alert, staying focused, and ensuring that your PPE is appropriate for the work and the weather you will be facing.