The Importance of Full Face Protection in the Workplace

Eye safety in the construction industry has improved immensely over the past few years, and although your eyes take priority above everything else, you should still aim to protect your entire face from flying debris and other possible projectiles. Safety glasses provide protection for your eyes, which is vital, but what about the rest of your face? Wearing a full face shield allows you to protect your eyes, as well as the rest of your face. Proper eye and face protection prevents serious damage for workers in the construction industry. Face injuries can have severe consequences, leaving permanent damage. The best way to prevent this is through the use of full face protection gear.

Reading this you may think it’s a bit exaggerated to have to cover your entire face, because it’s really your eyes that need the most protection. And it’s true, your eyes do need maximum protection, but that doesn’t mean you should deny your face of any protection at all. In construction related jobs, you’re more prone to facing flying debris or to be around machinery that lets out fumes that could have your skin. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, covering your entire face rather than just a part of it.

Variety, Comfort and Fit

A wide range of brands offer full face shields, such as RadiansElvex and Jackson Safety, giving customers plenty to choose from when it comes to full face protection. These full face shields offer protection from flying debris and even increase visibility. When we think about face masks, we’re usually under the impression that they’re constricting and uncomfortable, but this isn’t the case. Full face shields are breathable and come in several sizes, allowing for the wearer to choose the one that most comfortably fits them and their individual face shape.

Full face protection isn’t just important for physical protection, but also for your own emotional protection. Workers that have been submitted to facial injury can face disfigurement, leaving them unable to return to work and with severe emotional trauma. A wide variety of industries feature job descriptions that require full face protection such as workers in diagnostics, forensics, construction, welding, aircraft or auto repair, manufacturing and factory work and so much more.

Many times, these types of workers are in areas where they’re more susceptible to flying debris, chemical fumes or even fire, than workers in other industries. All of these factors can cause irreversible facial disfigurements or lacerations, which can affect the worker’s personal relationships and self confidence.

Not only should employees know the importance of full face protection, but employers should mandate it. Workers who are non-compliant on the issue should be taught the importance of wearing full face shields, even if they feel uncomfortable wearing them. The issue of discomfort can easily be solved, with the wide range of full face shields anyone can find the style that will fit them most comfortably, and in time they’ll adjust to them.

For anyone working in the construction industry full face protection is vital, protecting not only your eyes but also your skin and teeth. Remember that accidents happen, especially in construction zones, workers need to be prepared for the worst, whether it be airborne debris or heat injuries, full face shields will prevent the worst.  

Oct 18th 2016

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