At NECA, we take great pride in the quality of our safety equipment, and it’s important we do, because there should be no compromise in the quality of the equipment that you use on-site. This applies to the clothing and protective suits that your people wear, as well as safety equipment such as the low voltage rescue kit and the electrical first aid kit.
 
Good safety equipment can help prevent accidents and injuries, protect workers from hazardous materials, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. It’s surprising just how much better good safety equipment really is.
 
For example, as we well know, construction workers should always wear hard hats to protect their heads from falling objects. Safety goggles can protect workers’ eyes from flying debris or hazardous materials, and safety gloves can help prevent hand injuries. Workers who are exposed to loud noises should wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect their hearing. Safety harnesses can protect workers who are working at heights or in precarious positions, and safety shoes can protect workers’ feet from heavy objects or sharp objects.
 
In all these cases, the higher the quality of the equipment, the better it is as protecting the worker. In many workplace environments, safety equipment that is 95 per cent effective can still cause significant injury in any of these areas. You need equipment to be as close to 100 per cent effective as possible.
 
Then there are jobs that involve working with hazardous materials such as chemicals, asbestos, or led, or environments where there’s a risk for arc flashes. In any of these cases, anything less than perfect protection can result in damages as though there was no protection. Again, only the highest quality of equipment is going to be able to deliver this.
 
Cost effectiveness

There’s another side to this too. Safety equipment needs to be monitored before and after use for any signs of wear or damage. Seemingly small rips and cracks can compromise the integrity of the equipment, and when that happens the equipment needs to be replaced.
 
High quality safety equipment will not degrade as quickly, meaning that it will not be as expensive in the long run as it can be used for longer. For organisations looking to keep a tight hold over costs, investing in quality is a better way to go.
 
How to inspect safety equipment

Inspecting safety equipment is crucial to ensuring that it functions properly and provides adequate protection to workers. Here are some steps to inspect safety equipment:

 

    1. Follow manufacturer guidelines: Before inspecting any safety equipment, review the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for inspection and maintenance. This information can provide specific instructions on what to look for and how to inspect the equipment properly.

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    2. Visual inspection: Start by conducting a visual inspection of the safety equipment to identify any visible signs of damage, wear and tear, or any other issues. Check for cracks, corrosion, or any other signs of damage on hard hats, safety goggles, respirators, earplugs, gloves, and other equipment. If any damage is found, the equipment should be removed from service immediately.

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    3. Functionality testing: Next, test the equipment to ensure it functions properly. For example, check the straps on a safety harness to ensure they are not frayed or damaged, and that the buckle locks securely. Test the earplugs to ensure they are blocking out noise adequately. Ensure that the safety goggles fit snugly and provide clear vision.

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    4. Record keeping: Keep a record of all inspections and maintenance performed on safety equipment. This will help ensure that equipment is inspected regularly and properly, and can also help identify any trends or recurring issues.

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    5. Replace as needed: If any safety equipment is found to be damaged or not functioning properly, it should be replaced immediately. Do not use any equipment that is not in good working condition, as it may not provide adequate protection to workers.

 

At NECA, we are experts in all the equipment that we sell, and can help you understand how to make the most of it, maintain it, and build a lifecycle strategy around it. Contact us today for more information on your safety equipment needs.