As the weather warms cities often get questions or pressure from workers (especially new and seasonal) about being able to wearing shorts and other clothing or equipment that may leave them exposed to expected hazards. It is important to ensure workers are wearing correct basic safety clothing and equipment. Keep these four areas of focus in mind to keep your employees safe.
- Sturdy and protective footwear: For most parks and public works employees that work around equipment like mowers, chippers, and the like, the minimum basic footwear that is appropriate is sturdy work boots. Depending on exposures, boots with toe protection may be required. If staff are operating mowers, they should not be wearing running shoes or like footwear offering less stability and traction.
- Pants are the standard: We understand the desire to stay cool – and cities have an obligation to ensure their workers do – but in most cases if staff are around equipment that can throw debris up and out, they need to be wearing workpants that offer a degree of protection. Keep the shorts reserved for lifeguards.
- Protective eyewear: Workers reasonably want to protect their eyes from the sun. Ensure if workers want to wear sunglasses that they are also safety glasses and meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard. Glasses meeting this standard will be stamped on the lens or frame.
- Hearing protection: New employees may have a different opinion on what equipment is loud enough to require hearing protection. Ensure employees are trained and reminded about when they need to be wearing PPE and enforce these requirements.