Falls accounted for just over 35% of all workplace deaths within construction and extraction occupations in 2020, and during that same year, construction laborers saw their highest annual fatal injury count (308) in half a decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To prevent accidents and mitigate injuries on the jobsite, the Occupational Safety Health Agency (OSHA) regulations and personal protective equipment (PPE) standards are evolving, and manufacturers of workplace safety gear are responding with new and improved designs for hard hats, work gloves, and more.
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Vented hard hat from WaveCel
WaveCel’s T2+ MAX vented hard hat offers air flow and comfort for all-day wear. T2+ MAX meets Type II standard requirements to protect against rotational forces and lateral impacts. WaveCel’s upgraded hard hat weighs just 500 grams, includes a chin strap with a magnetic Fidlock buckle, and is lined with a soft foam, moisture-wicking, antibacterial microfiber headband.
Hearing protection with Bluetooth from ISOTunes
Bluetooth hearing protection manufacturer ISOtunes recently released its newest Aware Technology product, Ultracomm Aware. The bluetooth device gives users protection against noise over 85 dB and allows clear communication without having to remove earbuds. Ultracomm Aware features a wireless design with a pre-attached boom mic for clear phone audio as well as comfort-fit ear hooks to keep earbuds in place.
Fall protection helmet from Uvex
The Uvex Pronamic Alpine helmet provides fall protection for at-height workers without sacrificing all-day comfort. The helmet features a multidirectional impact protection (MIPS) design as well as four retaining clips for fitting head torches or goggles, side Euroslot adapters (30 mm) for attaching earmuffs, and air vents for maximum ventilation.
Ergodyne tool tethering solution
The Squids 3745 Tool Grip and Tether Attachment Point from Ergodyne meets the ANSI/ISEA 121 standard and is designed to retrofit screwdrivers and nut drivers, creating a secure attachment point for tethering tools. The two-piece design includes an end cap with a swiveling connection point to prevent tangles and binds when used with a tool lanyard as well as a rubber sleeve with a textured grip for comfort and efficient torquing.
Work glove from Pyramex
Pyramex’s GL103HT General Purpose Work Glove has a palm constructed of synthetic leather for enhanced grip and a mesh stretch fabric back for comfort and breathability. The glove offers touchscreen capability and a terry cloth thumb to wipe away sweat and grime, and its ratings include ANSI/ISEA 105, Abrasion 3 thickness, and Puncture 2 resistance to prevent lacerations or chemical exposure to the skin.
Portable respiratory protection by Bullard
Bullard’s new portable air quality box, AirGuard, offers an extra-large 7-inch color LCD screen that digitally displays the status and quality of a worker’s breathing air. The unit is equipped with audible alarm warnings, in addition to the visual display for increased safety. AirGuard’s three-stage filtration system removes oils, water, solid particles, and unpleasant odors to ensure workers are receiving safe, purified breathing air.
