The importance of PPE in the OPE Market
Landscaping, gardening and other outdoor maintenance professions have occupational hazards. From working on uneven terrain, flying debris and the frequent use of outdoor power equipment (OPE), the risks to workers are real.
That's why personal protective equipment (PPE) is non-negotiable. In this article, Rhys Adams, Milwaukee Tool national sales manager for OPE, discusses how the industry has several safety issues and how PPE plays a critical role in safeguarding outdoor maintenance professionals.
Across the globe, many countries now enforce stringent PPE regulations for outdoor maintenance workers. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has outlined its regulations for using PPE at work, which are in place to protect employees from occupational hazards that may arise.
Yet, despite the clear risks and regulations, many businesses still need guidance on properly equipping their staff, who risk serious injuries or long-term health issues if PPE is not worn correctly. Fortunately, Milwaukee Tool, a leading manufacturer of OPE and PPE, offers a range of products that prioritise protection and comfort for industry professionals, no matter the task.
Eye protection
One essential piece of PPE that almost all industry professionals need is eye protection. Surveys have shown that 94% of eye injuries occur from objects or chemicals going around or under the eye protection. For outdoor maintenance professionals, in particular, the leading causes of eye injuries are lawnmowers, trimmers and shovels that throw dirt and debris into the air. Other issues include branches, twigs and thorns, highlighting that without proper eye protection at work, you run the unnecessary risk of an injury that could lead to temporary or even permanent vision impairment.
A study from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in America found that wearing eye protection can prevent more than 90% of serious eye injuries. This stresses the importance of safety glasses, face shields or goggles required to protect the eyes from the threats posed by equipment such as trimmers, blowers and chainsaws. Any pair of safety glasses must prioritise durability and a secure fit to ensure they do not cause discomfort when worn regularly.
To help prevent these injuries, Milwaukee Tool offers a range of safety glasses certified by EN166 and EN170 / EN172. These durable safety glasses feature flexible arms, anti-scratch and anti-fog lenses as standard, and come in various lens colours to ensure comfort during extended wear.
Hand protection
Landscaping, gardening and other outdoor maintenance professionals often engage in very labour-intensive work that can be tough on the hands. Without proper gloves, they are at risk of cuts, scratches and the adverse effects of prolonged vibrations. These vibrations can negatively impact various parts of the body, including nerves, muscles, tendons and blood vessels. Excessive use of your hands can potentially lead to conditions such as trigger finger, which causes the finger to lock or trigger when gripping, and tendonitis - a condition that often occurs in the hands and causes inflammation or irritation of a tendon when overused.
It's not just the consequences for your hands; injuries can also lead to loss of time and decreased productivity. To protect against these risks, all industry professionals should wear protective work gloves with reinforced palms for enhanced durability. These gloves should also offer cut resistance to protect against injuries from prickles, spines, thorns or tools, and include padding to absorb vibrations, ensuring comfort during extended use.
Milwaukee Tool has developed an extensive PPE range that offers a wide variety of gloves to meet your specific needs. From Cut A - E gloves to thicker leather gloves, all of which provide comfort and breathability, these gloves allow you to use touch screen devices without having to remove them, thanks to the SMARTSWIPE palm and fingertips technology. They also comply with European Certification for cut resistance protection.
Ear protection
Likewise, hearing protection is equally important for industry professionals, who often use OPE. Noise levels can easily exceed safe limits, causing irreversible hearing damage, such as tinnitus or hearing loss. This is why hearing protection is non-negotiable in these environments.
And if noise levels exceed the safe limits of at least 85 dB at the ear - which can often happen in the outdoor maintenance industry. It can cause irreversible hearing damage, such as hearing loss or tinnitus - a common condition that can come from too much exposure to loud noises, often characterised by ringing or buzzing in the ear. Tinnitus UK - a charity that raises awareness and supports people with this condition - conducted research which revealed that only 26% of gardeners “regularly" or "sometimes" use hearing protection. This means that countless industry professionals are exposing themselves to the risk of developing tinnitus and other issues associated with hearing loss every day while at work.
All industry professionals should be well equipped with hearing protection, such as earplugs and earmuffs that allow workers to maintain communication and responsiveness while shielding their hearing from harmful noise and preventing hearing conditions and hearing loss.
The Milwaukee Tool ear protection range is certified to European hearing protection standards and features ear defenders designed for various trade and industrial applications. The range includes reusable corded ear plugs, foam ear plugs, banded ear plugs and the Milwaukee Tool BOLT EARMUFF - all of which deliver on both noise reduction and usability.
Foot protection
Outdoor professionals also have to endure long hours on their feet, making protective, yet comfortable footwear a top priority. Given the high risk of ankle sprains in this industry, choosing the right work boot offers essential support and stability on uneven, often wet surfaces, significantly reducing the risk of slips, falls and subsequent injuries.
A sturdy work boot should also provide reinforced toe protection, which is essential for safeguarding feet from potential harm. Whether shielding against dropped tools or heavy objects, these boots provide a crucial layer of defence. Investing in quality footwear allows outdoor professionals to tackle tasks confidently without compromising safety or comfort.
Milwaukee Tool has launched an all-new footwear range suitable for outdoor maintenance professionals. The range includes agile safety trainers and heavy-duty safety boots featuring ENERGY FOAM heel cushioning, STEP-RELEASE for easy removal, ROLLCAGE heel stabiliser and a lace pocket to prevent tripping hazards. Made from water-repellent leather, these boots offer excellent grip and are certified to the highest industry standards.
Meeting your needs
Milwaukee Tool understands the importance of PPE and has developed a comprehensive range of equipment that meets the needs of outdoor maintenance professionals. Offering reliable protection for the eyes, hands, ears, feet and more, Milwaukee Tool helps users focus on their tasks without compromising their safety or comfort.
To discover the full range of PPE available for outdoor maintenance professionals or to learn more about the equipment available from Milwaukee Tool, visit the website: https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/