Worksite Today

This is the first in our series of “featured” posts this week concerning safety procedures for pipelines workers.

Here’s one of the best tips we can give pipeline workers: Use proper Personal Protective Equipment.

The use of PPE is now a job site standard for pipeline workers. Occupational Safety and Health institutions all around the globe require field workers to use appropriate safety equipment when performing hazardous tasks.

Companies must provide their workers proper PPE not just because the laws dictate they do. PPE serves as the workers’ last line of protection in case an accident does occur at the job site. Aside from the legal obligation, there is a moral obligation to provide pipeline workers with safety equipment.

There are so many products available in the market today so employers must make sure that they are providing their workers with complete PPE that fit. Depending on the job, a pipeline worker may need gear from one or more of the following categories:

• Head protection
• Eye and Face Protection
• Ear Protection
• Respiratory Protection
• Torso Protection
• Arm and Hand Protection
• Foot and Leg Protection

The following steps must be followed by companies to ensure they are purchasing the right PPE for their needs:

• Do a thorough evaluation of the risks at the job site- Make a checklist of the safety gear your workers you will need based on industry standards and the results of your evaluation.
• Consult a reputable PPE supplier- look around for reputable PPE suppliers and make preliminary consultations regarding your needs. A good supplier (or two) should be able to competently assist you with your needs.
• Evaluate if the chosen PPE all fit together when worn- A piece of equipment may look good and work well on its own but may not fit perfectly when worn with the other required equipment.
• Evaluate the supplier’s maintenance and/or replacement program- your PPE are only good if they can protect you from harm. Even the best gear can lose their efficacy over time due to normal wear and tear as a result of regular use. Make sure you have a plan in place regarding the maintenance and replacement of your PPE. .

Companies must also train their workers on the following aspects of PPE use:

• How to wear the gear
• Proper care for the equipment
• Limitations and useful life

While it is the employer’s duty to provide the workers with the appropriate PPE, it is the workers’ responsibility to wear the gear even if the equipment cause a little discomfort.

To learn more about PPE, watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV2cNmfK8_Y

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Terry Smeader

Owner at Safety Protection Warehouse

Distributor of Nomex, Flame Resistant Safety Clothing and Arc Flash Protection.

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Tags: oil and gas, pipeline, PPE, Safety

This entry was posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2014 at 9:47 am and is filed under In The Field, Safety Managers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.