Why Safety Workwear Is Essential In Some Jobs

By Trevor Jones


Depending on the industry and the type of work you do, some for of safety workwear may be mandatory. The health and safety regulators generally work in conjunction with industry representatives to set the standard requirements for the whole industry. The regulations do differ from one type of job role to another depending on the risk assessment results for the particular role.

Medical personnel in a hospital operating room require different types of sterile clothing than nursing staff working in a clinic. However, what they do have in common is the need to use items that are disposable and sterile. The aim is minimise the risk of passing infections, germs and bacteria between patients or from staff to patients. The protective clothing also helps to prevent the staff from picking up infections or germs.

The catering industry is another area where hygiene and cross-contamination measures should be strictly adhered to. There are a whole set of rules and regulations governing the handling of food. As can be seen from past failures in hygiene and food handling the consequences for the individual consuming the food can be at best serious and at worst fatal. Breaching health and hygiene standards can leave the caterer facing criminal charges.

High visibility clothing is usually worn by those working on the roads, railways, construction sites and any other venues where they are at risk if they cannot be clearly seen. This type of clothing is florescent so it glows in the dark and is usually a bright yellow or orange. It can be particularly effective when lighting is poor or non-existent at night.

Hard hats are also a common sight on building projects, road works and many other jobs. In any type of employment where there is a risk of head injury hard hats are worn as a mandatory safety precaution. The risk is generally related to falling items causing injury to the individual, or in situations where it is possible for the individual to fall and injure their head.

Footwear in the form of shoes or boots with steel toe covers are used by workmen and women on building sites and in other risk areas to protect their feet. Shoes with reinforced soles or non-slip soles are also used in particular occupations such as the police and nursing or medical professions. The type of footwear used by individuals will usually have benefits in their work role.

When an employee is required to wear particular types of protective clothing or footwear, the employer will either supply the items, or provide some money towards the costs. Men and women in similar work roles are required to comply with the same safety rules and wear the appropriate clothing. Instead of just producing items in larger sizes to fit men, manufacturers now make them in smaller sizes to provide a better fit for women.

Fashion and safety workwear are not two ideas that fit together well. The primary purpose of protective clothing is for safety and minimising the risk of serious injury. However, now that there is a demand for many types of protective clothing for women, they are now being designed to fit women.




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