What are the carpenter's mandatory PPE?

The work of a carpenter is a risky job. Without question, professionals who carry out work at height opt for many dangerous devices. Fortunately, to avoid possible accidents, wearing personal protective equipment is a real necessity, even an obligation. Yes, but what are the essential PPE in this sector of activity? What does the law and the Labor Code say about the provision of this protective equipment?

Essential PPE for carpenters

Compared to other craftsmen, carpenters are the most exposed to risks. The women and men who work in this sector of activity sometimes use large tools and install them at height. But this is not the only risk associated with their work. Falling objects or falling from a great height, awkward postures, handling of dangerous materials, use of machine tools such as planes and circular saws, allergic reactions, respiratory problems due to dust, asbestos, splinters of wood, dangers are many. Hands (especially fingers), legs, and feet most commonly show lesions after eyes, head, spine, torso, and neck. To minimize these risks while strengthening the safety of all parts of the body, collective prevention measures should be considered.

What protection for the carpenter's head?

Most of the time, the framing professional is exposed to a risk related to falling objects or materials. To guard against this danger, it is imperative to wear a hard hat that complies with standard NF EN 397/A1. This regulation protects the head from:

• hit against an object installed against the ground in the event of a fall or at eye level
• Falls of all sizes and types

Of course, a simple protective cap is not enough to protect your head in the event of falling objects. A work helmet is equipped with an outer face made of polyethylene or polycarbonate. Very resistant, this material is also waterproof and light. The headdress, the headband and the neckband act as a harness. Its main role is to soothe shocks while making it comfortable to wear. To keep the helmet on your head, you can add a strap and an adjustable chinstrap.

Opt for suitable eye protection

As mentioned above, the work of carpentry necessarily opts for dangerous machines and tools. For this, the carpenter is liable to exposure to dust, splashes of wood splinters and chemicals as well as solvent-type liquids. To guarantee optimal protection for your eyes, wearing a pair of glasses with suitable lenses is strongly recommended. In addition, the eye protection must be able to protect on the sides against toxic vapors and material splashes. If the use of side protection goggles is recommended, you can also accessorize your equipment with a mask standardized NF EN 166.

Choosing good ear protection

People entering the carpentry business need to be familiar with a noisy environment. Machines and tools used daily emit a high noise level. Failure to wear dedicated hearing protection equipment can lead to irreversible hearing loss. It should be noted that not all personal protective equipment are created equal. To be sure of finding effective hearing protection, consider the Signal to Noise Ratio value. The goal is to choose a value below 85 dB. To do this, use noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs. earmuffs reusable or disposable.

The best protection for the respiratory system

Carpenters work in an environment rich in wood dust and cement or asbestos. This situation puts their health at risk and obliges them to wear corresponding equipment.

For information, asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in some roofs. Despite its strengths, this substance is carcinogenic, classified into many families. You will thus find raw asbestos in bulk for the thermal and acoustic insulation of a roof as well as asbestos in mineral powders for coatings and mortars. There is also asbestos in liquids such as foams or glues, plate asbestos for use in false ceilings and panels. Not to mention woven asbestos for curtains, fire-resistant clothing and asbestos in a plastic material for plastic materials and floor and wall coverings.

To protect the health of workers from this risk during carpentry work, protection is essential. The disposable mask complies with EN 149 standard, the integral cartridge model and the reusable cartridge model are essential.

What protective equipment for hands and feet?

To protect your fingers from injuries, cuts and abrasions, you should wear pairs of protective gloves. These devices are available in many models. You will have the choice between pairs of handling gloves, multi-purpose gloves and gloves for precision work. When it comes to foot protection, safety shoes will do. For carpenters, safety shoes that meet the EN ISO 20345 standard are perfect. Additional standards may be added to these standards for safety footwear.

What does the Labor Code say about the provision of PPE?

According to the Labor Code, anyone performing a risky job must wear personal protective equipment. Like the plane, the circular saw and the other necessary tools, the provision of this equipment is up to the employer of the company, free of charge. The choice depends on the specific needs of each worker. Protective mask, safety glasses, pairs of protective gloves, safety shoes and harnesses, the models are diversified to meet every taste and expectation of construction workers. For their part, the carpenters ensure that they are in good condition.