Types of PPE for Facility Maintenance Staffing

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the cornerstone of safety protocol for most maintenance departments. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing repair all involve dangerous work, and the technicians who perform it train for years to ensure they can safely complete repairs. They are well-versed in the types of PPE needed on the job, and as a facility manager, you should be as well. Below are the most common types of PPE needed on job sites, and what you should generally provide to employees when performing routine maintenance tasks: Helmets and hard hats Head protective gear is essential for all construction sites, as well as for any sort of rooftop maintenance. This type of protective gear can prevent serious injuries from falling objects or falls on high surfaces. Eye goggles Welders, electricians, carpenters, and other maintenance techs will occasionally need eye protective equipment to prevent sparks and flying debris from causing eye irritation and injury. This may also be necessary for plumbing services to prevent dangerous substances from coming into contact with the eyes. Ear plugs Hearing damage is one of the most common long-term health issues caused in construction and maintenance jobs. Loud noises from equipment can not only cause loss of hearing but ringing in the ears and even chronic pain. Ear plugs are a simple and effective way to prevent this. Noise meters Decibel readers can also help prevent hearing loss and injuries by ensuring noise does not reach a dangerous level. This is especially important for construction sites or urban areas where excessive noise may cause complaints from neighboring businesses. Face masks Face masks aren’t just used for medical facilities – they are important for respiratory PPE to prevent workers from inhaling chemicals and flying debris on the job site. Respiratory disease is not only very serious, but very common in construction and maintenance work, so it is important that you provide PPE to workers whenever possible. Gloves Work gloves can protect workers from hot surfaces, dangerous chemicals, and excessive vibrations that cause wrist injuries. While not always necessary, it is a good idea for maintenance staff to use gloves on all jobs to protect their hands from cuts and burns even for minor work. Elbow, wrist, and back support Maintenance work is hard on the body, so providing equipment that supports as well as protects can ensure your workers do not develop stress injuries. MaintenX provides all of this PPE to our technicians, but we encourage facilities to keep some on-hand for minor repairs and onsite maintenance staff to use. To learn more about our safety protocols or ways you can make your facility safer, visit our Resource Center.