Field Service and Construction Safety Gear

As a field service technician, you have to remain alert and adaptable at all times. You have to troubleshoot problems, make calculations, select the right tools and procedures to do the job, stay humble enough to ask for help, and remain polite and patient when speaking with customers. But one thing is more important than all of that combined: safety.

Whether you work with heavy machinery, explosive or flammable materials, electricity, caustic substances, sharp objects, or simply spend a lot of time driving the company vehicle, you need to follow your safety training at all times, and that includes keeping effective field service and construction safety gear handy. You can do everything right on a construction site, but wearing a hard hat can still make all the difference in preventing or lessening an accidental injury.

Here's some common field service and construction safety gear that you should keep as part of your personal tool set.

Hard Hat

A hard hat is a ubiquitous symbol of a construction zone, and for good reason. These brightly-colored helmets increase your visibility on the job while also protecting your skull from impact. Brain injuries are no joke, so use your hard hat every time you could potentially have something fall on or fly at your head, when you're at risk of accidentally smacking into a protruding object like a low beam, or when you are at risk of falling. Don't forget to wear the chin strap so the hat doesn't fall off before it has a chance to protect you.

Face Shields or Eye Protection

Numerous types of face shields exist for different purposes. You'll need to choose the right one for your job. For example, a basic pair of protective eyewear makes a smart choice when sawing any material, from wood to metal, to protect your eyes from fine particles and larger debris. However, you might want a full-fledged face mask if the chance of flying shards increases, such as if you operate a powerful wood chipper or hydroax.

But that same face shield won't suffice for a welder, who needs maximum protection from the heat of a torch. Likewise, if you work around lasers or UV light, you need to protect yourself from these damaging rays.

Respiratory Protection

It's easy to forget about protecting your internal organs from damage, but your lungs are quite sensitive. It doesn't take much exposure to super fine particles to trigger a painful cough, and you can sustain lung damage or succumb to a lung disease in the long-term. Aside from protecting you from fine particles, some respirators can also protect you from irritating vapors and fumes. Respirators have various degrees of protection, so make sure you obtain the right kind for the jobs you typically perform.

Ear Protection

Extended exposure to loud noises can damage your ear. But the louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause serious damage, including permanent hearing loss. Blowing out an ear drum is painful and can require surgery if you hope to restore your hearing. Always play it safe with proper ear protection.

Gloves and Body Protection

Hand protection can easily turn into arm or body protection. And don't forget your legs! Body protection is especially important for welders, who can't risk getting singed by flying sparks. People who work with sharp objects or potential electrical hazards can also benefit from thick, long-sleeved gloves made of insulating material.

Gloves also serve the basic service of protecting your hands from little nicks and damage. They also help stave off the formation of blisters, and will keep your hands warm in winter. Gloves that provide protection but allow you to maintain dexterity in your fingers are ideal.

Work Boots

As we work our way from head to toe in this list of field service and construction safety gear, we've finally arrived at one of the most important investments you can make as a field service technician or construction worker: your work boots. A sturdy pair of work boots will not only keep your feet, legs and back comfortable all day, but will also protect you from the elements, prevent sharp objects from penetrating your foot, and cushion the fall of objects that can land on your toes. Look for leather steel-toed ankle boots with plenty of traction and arch support.

Keep your personal protection equipment on hand at all times, even if you only find yourself in the circumstances to use it once in a blue moon.