The Protective Equipment All Electricians Need

We’ve established that employers must assess their employees’ working environments and provide them with appropriate personal protective equipment. For thousands of self-employed tradespeople throughout the UK, though, deciding what PPE they’ll need to do their jobs safely and comfortably can be a difficult task.

In order to help these individuals, PPE Workwear Direct will be preparing a series of posts outlining the protective equipment that those plying certain trades simply can’t do without, starting with electricians:

Protective Headwear

As electricians are likely to be working on building sites, protective headwear is a must. As traditional hardhats can be cumbersome, particularly when working near ceilings whilst installing wiring, bump caps are a great alternative.

Bump caps are essentially baseball caps that are reinforced to provide protection from falling objects whilst remaining lightweight. As a result, bump caps can protect you from falling debris whilst causing minimum discomfort.

Protective Gloves

As an electrician, you’ll regularly be working near sharp objects meaning that there is a constant risk of puncture wounds so a pair of protective gloves is essential.

A good pair of protective gloves will not only protect your hands from sharp objects but will still afford you the dexterity needed to perform your role with ease.

Safety Trainers

You’ll no doubt be spending a lot of time up a ladder as an electrician so we’d recommend safety trainers over work boots.

Unlike work boots, safety trainers have thinner soles meaning that it’ll be easier for you to judge your level of grip making a fall much less likely. They’re also lighter, more comfortable and offer good levels of control making them ideal for the physically demanding work you’ll be undertaking.

Kneepads

Yes, other professions – tilers, for example – will spend more time on their knees but, as it’ll certainly be necessary for you to rest on your knees from time-to-time, it’s always a good idea to ensure they’re protected. That’s why every electrician should have a pair of kneepads in their toolbox.

Respiratory Protection

Sadly, there’s always a risk of exposure to asbestos so it’s vital that anyone working in an environment where it may be present has the appropriate protective equipment. You may think the risk is minimal but, as exposure to asbestos could be fatal, it really is better to be safe than sorry.