PPE Head to Toe

Why it matters

PPE is the last line of defense, not the first. But when a nail gun kicks back or a load shifts, the difference between a story and a stretcher is usually whether you were wearing the gear. Today we check what everyone has, what condition it is in, and what today’s tasks actually require.

Hazards

• ⚠ Head injuries from falling tools and materials
• ⚠ Eye injuries from cutting, grinding, nailing, and chemical splash
• ⚠ Hearing loss from saws, generators, and equipment that builds up over years
• ⚠ Hand injuries from blades, rebar, hot work, and chemicals
• ⚠ Foot injuries from dropped materials and puncture through soles
• ⚠ Cracked, expired, or modified PPE that fails when needed

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Hard hats on where overhead work or material handling is happening. Inspect the shell and suspension.
• ✓ Safety glasses as a minimum for everyone; face shield over them for grinding and cutting.
• ✓ Hearing protection where you must raise your voice to be heard at arm’s length.
• ✓ Match the glove to the task: cut-resistant for blades and metal, chemical-resistant for solvents.
• ✓ Safety-toe boots with puncture-resistant soles on active sites.
• ✓ Replace PPE that is cracked, expired, or has taken an impact. It is cheaper than the injury.

Crew discussion questions

1. What tasks today change the PPE we need beyond the basics?
2. Whose hard hat, glasses, or gloves are past their service life?
3. Where are we grinding or cutting today, and are face shields available?
4. Is there loud work scheduled near quieter trades?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.95, 29 CFR 1926.100, 29 CFR 1926.102

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