Safety accessories

Start by identifying the main hazard: impact, flying particles, noise, dust or gas, cuts, chemicals, arc flash, falls, or another exposure. Use how to choose personal protective equipment as the general PPE guide and verify how to read PPE markings, standards and replacement requirements.

Choose helmets or other head protection for the actual impact and site hazard — how to choose safety helmets, head protection and accessories. For eye and face protection consider impact, dust, chemical splash or radiation — how to choose safety glasses; for high noise exposure see how to choose hearing protection.

For dusts, aerosols, gases and vapours, the respirator and filter must match the contaminant — how to choose a respirator. Confined spaces and possible toxic or flammable atmospheres may also require how to choose portable gas detection and confined-space monitoring equipment.

Choose gloves for mechanical, cut, chemical, thermal or electrical hazards — how to choose work gloves. For workwear and protective clothing see how to choose workwear, protective and high-visibility clothing, for safety footwear see how to choose safety footwear and protective rubber boots, and for knee pads, tool tethers and auxiliary PPE see how to choose knee pads, tool tethers and auxiliary protective accessories.

Work at height requires a complete fall-protection system — how to choose a fall protection system. Welding tasks require suitable how to choose welding PPE, while electrical and arc-flash exposures call for how to choose electrical and arc-flash PPE.

Work-zone control includes warning and mandatory signs, cones, barriers, caution tape, floor and route marking — how to choose safety signs, cones, barriers and marking products. For broader workplace setup, also see how to organize a safe workplace.

First-aid kits and eyewash/emergency-rinse equipment should match the credible injury or exposure — how to choose first aid and emergency eyewash equipment. Review basic fire-safety rules in essential fire safety rules and equipment selection in how to choose fire safety equipment.

Hazardous-energy service work uses lockout/tagout padlocks, hasps, valve and electrical lockouts, tags and stations — what Lockout/Tagout LOTO is and how to choose lockout devices. Spill containment and safe hazardous-liquid storage are covered by how to choose spill control and hazardous-liquid safety storage.

Physical protection of property and access can use padlocks, chains, lock boxes and other mechanical security products — how to choose locks and physical security accessories. For documents, keys and valuables, see how to choose a safe and secure storage solution.

Tarps and temporary covers protect materials, equipment or work areas from weather, dust and contamination. Match material, size, fastening points and environmental resistance — how to choose protective tarps and temporary covers.