PPE and Injury Prevention An ounce of prevention… (Personal Protective Equipment and mechanical injuries)

What are we worried about?: Flying debris/splatter Flying debris/splatter Penetrating injuries Penetrating injuries “Sharp” injuries “Sharp” injuries Abrasions Abrasions Blunt trauma Blunt trauma Thermal burns Chemical burns Radiation Respiratory injury Sports injuries Ballistic injury

Flying Debris/Splatter Low-mass objects propelled by wind, power tools, or splashing. Low-mass objects propelled by wind, power tools, or splashing. Can cause eye injury or damage to the delicate skin of the face. Can cause eye injury or damage to the delicate skin of the face. Use proper eye protection or full-face shield Use proper eye protection or full-face shield

Penetrating Injuries Most common cause: stepping on nails, splinters, or thorns. Most common cause: stepping on nails, splinters, or thorns. Puncture wounds to the foot or leg can disable a person almost instantly. Puncture wounds to the foot or leg can disable a person almost instantly. Wear sturdy, high-top footwear, and watch where you step or put your hands. Wear sturdy, high-top footwear, and watch where you step or put your hands.

“Sharp” Injuries Commonly caused by exposed or broken metal, wood, or glass, but brushing against anything sharp or walking into thorns can also cause lacerations. Commonly caused by exposed or broken metal, wood, or glass, but brushing against anything sharp or walking into thorns can also cause lacerations. Most lacerations are minor and only carry a risk of infection, severe cuts can cause disability or blood loss. Most lacerations are minor and only carry a risk of infection, severe cuts can cause disability or blood loss. WEAR GLOVES! WEAR GLOVES! Long pants, long sleeves, good shoes/boots, and hats provide protection against minor injury. Long pants, long sleeves, good shoes/boots, and hats provide protection against minor injury.

Abrasions Single most common injury. Easily preventable. Single most common injury. Easily preventable. Usually minor, but serious abrasions can lead to infection or permanent scarring. Usually minor, but serious abrasions can lead to infection or permanent scarring. Difficult to treat with first-aid. Painful, but not usually life-threatening. Difficult to treat with first-aid. Painful, but not usually life-threatening. Long sleeves, long pants, proper footwear, hats, and gloves will protect from most abrasions. Long sleeves, long pants, proper footwear, hats, and gloves will protect from most abrasions.

Blunt Trauma Caused when something hard hits something not-quite- so-hard. Caused when something hard hits something not-quite- so-hard. Most commonly caused by falling objects or cadets. Most commonly caused by falling objects or cadets. Blunt injuries can cause broken bones, internal bleeding, or serious head trauma. Blunt injuries can cause broken bones, internal bleeding, or serious head trauma. Always look up! Avoid over-head dangers. Always look up! Avoid over-head dangers. Wear a hard hat if there is an unavoidable risk of falling objects. Wear a hard hat if there is an unavoidable risk of falling objects.

Other PPEs Head-on-a-swivel Head-on-a-swivel Be alert for danger Be alert for danger Prevention is the best protection Prevention is the best protection Be visible Be visible Wear safety vests Wear safety vests It may save you from someone else. It may save you from someone else. Don’t be dumb! Don’t be dumb! Think it through and form a plan Think it through and form a plan Communicate Communicate Prevention is the best protection Prevention is the best protection

Questions?