“Better safe than sorry.”

It’s a saying we’ve been told since we were five years old.

While playing it safe won’t get you much of a return in the stock market, it’ll make sure you return to work in one piece every day when working in a production role.

The last thing you or your employer wants is a worker in a compromised position or vulnerable state due to improper safety protocols.

Stay safe with the equipment and knowledge you need about workplace safety.

 

What Are Your Occupational Health & Safety Rights

 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect you from workplace hazards that can cause injury or illness.

 

What Are Your Rights for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Your employers must performing a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards, which then will help them decide what protective gear you’ll need.

Then they’ll train you on how to use it and care for it, replace worn or damaged personal equipment and continually review any concerns you or your coworkers bring to their attention and conduct regular assessments.

OSHA General Industry PPE Standards

  • General requirements and payment
  • Eye and face protection
  • Respiratory protection
  • Head protection
  • Foot protection
  • Electrical protective devices
  • Hand protection

OSHA Construction PPE Standards

  • Personal protective equipment
  • Criteria for personal protective
    equipment
  • Occupational foot protection
  • Head protection
  • Hearing protection
  • Eye and face protection
  • Respiratory protection

What Are Your Responsibilities

1. Properly wear PPE

2. Attend training sessions on PPE

3. Care for, clean and maintain PPE

4. Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE

Items Your Employer Must Pay For

Here’s a sample list to give you an idea of what’s PPE is covered by the act:

1. Metatarsal foot protection

2. Rubber boots with steel toes

3. Non-prescription eye protection

4. Prescription eyewear inserts/lenses for full face respirators

5. Goggles and face shields

6. Firefighting PPE (helmet, gloves, boots, proximity suits, full gear)

7. Hard hats

8. Hearing protection

9. Welding PPE

Items NOT Covered Under the Act

1. Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel-toe shoes or boots) and nonspecialty prescription safety eyewear provided that the employer permits such items to be worn off the job site.

2. Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots.

3. Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen.

4. Items such as hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety.

5. Lifting belts because their value in protecting the back is questionable.

6. When the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE, and it must be replaced.

How Equipment Purchasing Works

For items that your employer must provide, the employer must provide you with and cover the cost of this equipment. This means for those specific things included in the OHSA, you do not have to go out and make a purchase yourself that gets reimbursed later.

Employers must also make sure that non-covered items are up to safety standards for their facilities.

Better Safe Than Sorry

No matter what the cost is and who is covering it, your employer must ensure your safety in the workplace. If there is a lack of compliance on your employer’s behalf, you can contact the board yourself and file a complaint. It’s best to address this with your employer first, and also keep a strict record of the incidents for the board.

A good manufacturing firm will always put your safety first.

If you’re at a firm that doesn’t have strong safety protocols in place, it might be time for a change in roles.

Getting the right manufacturing role takes a skilled recruiter who understands what your needs are and where you’ll fit in best. Get in touch with one of our recruiters who can find you a position in general labour that will lead you to a healthy and long-standing career.