Milwaukee

Investing in Safety

Purchasing the right type of safety equipment is the best investment you can make. Your personal safety depends on being properly protected, and so does the safety of others around you. That includes employees, coworkers and anyone who visits your construction site.

You might be building a massive housing project, or you might be doing a small home renovation. No matter what type of job you are undertaking, there are plenty of hazards- and the potential for injuries. The first step in protecting yourself and other workers is to recognize dangerous situations and do everything you can to minimize or eliminate them. The next step is to ensure all necessary safety equipment is in place and that everyone knows how to use it properly.

The Main Construction Hazards and Personal Protective Equipment

All construction sites come with their own sets of hazards, but there are common hazards that can be found at many work sites. They include:

• Falls from heights
• Vision impairment
• Respiration problems
• Collisions and accidents
• General safety concerns
• Do-it-yourself safety hazards

1. Falls

One of the biggest causes of serious construction site injuries is falling from high heights. The best way you can prevent falls is by having safeguards in place. Since that is not always possible, though, every worker who is at risk of a fall needs to wear a fall arrest apparatus like a self-retracting lifeline and full-body harness.

You also need to make sure everyone is trained in how to wear their fall arrest gear correctly. They should understand how to fit it to themselves and how to properly secure it to the anchor point.

The correct ladders should also be used and ladders should never be positioned on uneven ground or other unstable surfaces. Even when harnesses are utilized, incorrect ladder usage can result in injury if they become unstable.

2. Vision Impairment

Eye protection is another major injury preventer. Your eyes are exposed to many hazards around a construction project. Flying debris is only one form of potential eye damage. You might also be exposed to dust, caustic materials, liquid chemicals, harmful gases and sharp objects.

Industrial safety glasses, goggles and full face shields can help to prevent eye damage from these types of hazards. Eye protection safety equipment extends to specialty construction safety glasses with impact-resistant lenses and over-prescription glasses with side shields.

3. Respiratory Issues

Respirators are necessary whenever you work with noxious aerosol substances. You can also prevent respiratory irritation in dusty conditions with properly fitted respirators and HEPA cartridges. Even do-it-yourself home project builders benefit from using safe breathing PPE.

4. Collisions and Accidents

Wherever there are moving vehicles, there is danger present. Hi-visibility clothing is mandatory on any site where vehicles and equipment are mobile. Hi-Viz markings are incorporated on other protective clothing like safety overalls, fire-rated coveralls, construction safety vests and even rain gear.

5. General Safety Concerns

Safety equipment extends beyond personal body protection. Construction Fasteners and Tools carries lines of other workplace protection supplies like lockout/tagout devices, two-way communication radios and an extensive line of warning tape, signs and cones. We even supply you with durable workwear and winter clothing.

Don't overlook ergonomic safety concerns. Back strains and sprains are serious injuries that can put you or your workers on the sidelines. Our Milwaukee Hardtop Rolling Tool Bag makes it easy to carry around heavy tools and is especially helpful when job sites change frequently and tools and equipment have to be moved.

6. Do-It-Yourself Project Safety Hazards

Don't forget you can also be seriously hurt in your home workshop or while doing handyman projects around the house or yard. Ladder safety is important, but many homeowners fail to have the right grade of ladder. They also fail to set the right angle and have the feet stabilized.

Safety hard hats as well as eye, ear and breathing protection all provide safety even in small jobs. Even protective clothing like gloves, boots, safety coveralls, kneepads and footwear may be necessary for certain projects.

Safety Equipment from Construction Fasteners and Tools

Construction Fasteners and Tools is your source for every type of safety equipment for professional and home projects. All of our personal protection equipment and other safety supplies are sourced from leading manufacturers that offer top-quality gear designed to keep you safe whatever your job is. Our safety equipment meets or exceeds safety standards set out by government regulations and worker insurance guidelines.

We supply everything you need from fall protection to first aid kits to protective clothing. For health and safety, you can choose between a range of respirators and safety glasses. Our lines of safety supplies cover every aspect of workplace and at-home safety including:

• Fall protection
• Respiratory protection
• Eyewear protection
• Hearing protection
• General personal protection

1. Fall Protection Equipment

Falls are a very serious safety issue, especially falls when working at great heights. Most worker safety authorities specify a ten-foot rule for enforcing fall protection. The primary defense against falls when working at heights is approved guards. You should install strong guardrails whenever possible when working in an open and elevated area. This is not always possible, so the next safe step is acquiring safety-approved fall arrest equipment.

There are many brands and designs of fall protection equipment available. Never buy or use inferior fall arrest harnesses, life-lines, lanyards or anchors that are not approved by a safety testing authority like CSA or Warnock Hersey. You should also replace any equipment that become worn or damaged as soon as the defect is noticed.

Construction Fasteners and Tools offers a large inventory of fall arrest equipment, including harnesses, lifelines, lanyards, and fall arrest kits.

Fall Arrest Harnesses:

Fall arrest equipment isn't designed to prevent you from falling. These solutions work after you fall from a platform or roof by breaking your descent before hitting the ground.

It is critical to wear your fall arrest harness correctly. You need to adjust the leg and arm straps to fit your body without any twists or slack. That can change daily depending on the season and what apparel you wear. Loose fitting arrest gear is dangerous as it can slide off when you need it or cause injury in the event of a fall. The harness should not be too tight, either. Tight harnesses can restrict your movement and circulation.

Lifelines and Lanyards:

Lanyards and lifelines need special attention. Set lifelines at the proper length, since any lifeline that is set too long will be useless in a fall. Retractable lifelines are ideal. They adjust to compensate for your distance as you move about. Retractable lifelines are available in lengths of 6', 9', 10', 20', 33' and 50 feet.

Many experts highly recommend snap-hook lanyards. They easily attach and detach from your lifeline quickly and safely. Tubular tie-off shock assemblies are excellent fall arrest pieces. They are designed to minimize the amount of shock you would receive in a fall by absorbing energy through an elastic material.

Fall Arrest Kits:

Your best value is in purchasing all your fall arrest materials in one package- a fall arrest kit. You can customize these by adding specific anchors like a Glyder 2 sliding beam anchor, a 1-2 beam clamp and a roof safety anchor. Be sure to have your fall arrest anchor point reviewed and approved by a professional engineer.

2. Respiratory Protection

Many workers don't realize how inhaling noxious substances can affect their long-term health. Respiratory illnesses do not just come from industrial or commercial construction exposure. You can easily become overwhelmed by breathing in poisonous dust, gas or chemicals in your own workshop or when doing repairs around your home. Respiratory protection is an inexpensive prevention for potentially expensive breathing disabilities.

The simplest piece of respiratory PPE is a dust mask. These disposable devices do an adequate job of keeping dust out while sanding or grinding short-term projects. They are not sufficient to filter hazardous gases, vapors, mists, fumes or irritating bioaerosols. For these situations, you need an actual respirator that is properly certified for the environment you are exposed to. This includes having your respirator professionally fitted and tested.

Top quality PPE respirators have changeable or disposable respirator cartridges and filters. Construction Fasteners and Tools has a complete line of particulate respirators. We offer a number of respirator products, including:

• The 3M N95 Mask Respirator
• The 3M 8210 Respirator
• The 3M 8511 Respirator
• The 3M 2091 Particulate Filter
• The 3M 2097 Particulate Filter

N95 particulate respirator is a half mask design that lets you clearly see your work. The N95 can be fitted with a P100 particulate filter for most situations. It's also compatible with every type of PPE eyewear including full face shields. We also carry a number of North Safety respirators for your breathing protection.

3. Protective Eyewear

Protecting your eyesight is simple when you depend on Construction Fasteners and Tools to supply all your certified eyewear protection needs, including:

Safety Glasses:

Basic safety glasses come in clear and tinted variations depending on the amount of light you are operating in. For bright daylight, we suggest a heavy tint, while clear is best for indoors and low light conditions. Either way, your eyes will be properly protected from flying debris.

Specialty Eye Protection:

Specialty eye protection is available if you already wear glasses. We have over-prescription industrial safety glasses that fit over your existing eyewear and protect you without impairing your vision. We also offer safety side shields. These protect you against flying debris or objects that come from your peripherals.

Goggles and Face Shields:

Goggles and full-face shields are the next step above safety glasses. Goggles completely surround your eyes and protect your vision against dust or smoke. Face shields are perfect when grinding or cutting. That includes all types of materials like wood, metal, concrete and plastic. Welding helmets are mandatory for steel fabricators, and we carry a quality supply of safety helmets.

Eyewear Cleaning Solutions:

We also handle cleaning supplies for safety eyewear. Our PDI See-Clear lens cleaning wipes are perfect for cleaning dust and other particles off of your glasses without damaging the lenses or leaving streaks. They complement your entire eye protection supply and give you a better view of your work.

4. Hearing Protection

Ear protection is just as important as respiratory and eye protection. Hearing loss is a disability that comes on slowly after prolonged exposure to high decibel levels in construction environments. Usually, this is from machinery and power tools- but you don't have to risk your hearing as long as you wear the right ear protection.

We carry four types of ear protection:

• Disposable uncorded ear plugs
• Banded ear protectors
• Corded ear plugs
• Fully-enclosed protective ear muffs

What hearing protection you use is your personal choice. Many people prefer having a steady supply of disposable ear plugs. Others like the convenience of lightweight banded ear protectors. Some like the total hearing protection of enclosed ear muffs. The important thing is that you actually use hearing protection when you need it.

5. Other Personal Protection Equipment

Construction Fasteners and Tools carries a complete line of other personal protection equipment. We strongly believe in your personal safety and will go the extra mile to provide you with the best quality PPE your money can buy. Here are other PPE lines to consider:

• Safety Aprons: We carry neoprene aprons for cutting as well as chainsaw chaps.
• Audible Alarms: These are air horns for emergency alerts.
• Coveralls: We have a great safety coverall line in all sizes.
• Fire Extinguishers: Choose from 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 lb. models.
• First Aid Supplies: This includes bandages, gauze, hot/cold thermal therapy, wipes and eye wash stations.
• Footwear: Check out our supply of Bama sockets, insoles, miner's boots, rubber boots, metatarsal and toe protection as well as traction aids and shoe covers.
• Gloves: Hand protection includes chemical, disposable, leather, palm-coated, mechanics and welders gloves.
• Hard Hats: We stock regular and fiber-metal head protection along with many accessories.
• Hi-Viz: Browse through our stock of vests, reflective safety sashes, cuffs, shirts, hoodies and safety jackets.
• Coveralls: Take a look at our selection of cotton/poly, disposable, and fire rated overalls.
• Rainwear: We supply rain jackets and full rain suits including bib overalls. All can be done with hi-viz markings.
• Winter Clothing: Work warmly and safely in the winter with our neck warmers, balaclavas, toques, polar fleece shirts and thermal jackets.

Trust Construction Fasteners and Tools for All Your Safety Equipment Needs

Construction Fasteners and Tools is your trusted source for every type of safety equipment. Your safety is paramount to us. It doesn't matter if you work in industrial construction or if you are a hobbyist working in your garage at home- many projects pose a hazard. With the proper safety equipment, however, you can significantly reduce your risk of injury.

We have been supplying safety equipment to people like you for 15 years. Over that time, we have earned a reputation for going the extra mile. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff cares about you- whether you are a professional contractor or a home do-it-yourselfer.

Check out our safe and secure website and choose from hundreds of safety products, as well as our complete line of fasteners and tools. Your selections can be shipped the same day in most cases, and we offer free shipping on orders over $200.

Questions? Call Construction Fasteners and Tools today at 1-866-238-8880 or contact us online for assistance.