PVC Coated Apron Functions August 25 2017
PVC coated aprons are a commonly used safety item for employers who wish to stay compliant with OSHA standards and workplace procedures. What you might not be aware of is the full scope of their protection for you and various uses. Their primary purpose, obviously, is to protect your body, but your employer’s vision for a PVC coated apron might extend that safety beyond the general surface. While these additional uses are preference based, they still comply with safety guidelines. Either way, you need to know all of the advantages of wearing one on your job.
Preventing Injuries
If your daily job responsibilities include handling harmful material, chemicals, or toxins of any kind, your employer has selected a very specific PVC coated apron for you to wear accordingly. Majority of them are lightweight to reduce restrictions on your movements. Being able to move freely means that you can focus solely on the task at hand without having to compromise your natural movements. Aprons also help protect your body and clothing against any accidental spills. Along with other safety items, they act as a barrier between the substance you’re handling and your body. In addition, the apron you wear will help contain any chemicals spilled or that come in contact with your person to guard against spreading it to other people and areas.
Eliminating Potential Cross Contamination
Even a drop of harmful substance the size of a pinhead could cause injury and other workplace emergencies. Wearing a PVC coated apron allows you and other workers to contain the substance you work with to one area; the designated space you work in. If a spill occurs, you can simply but carefully remove the apron and use the proper procedures to remove the spillage without cross contaminating other areas, coworkers, and substances. Because most aprons can be washed, you can eliminate any potential disasters in every department. Following respective workplace practices, aprons should be removed and washed properly each day, but you should still only wear the apron that is specific to your job duties and department.
Differentiating Departments
Working in a building that has different departments that deal with varying equipment, substances, and activities would be difficult if you weren’t aware of all the departments and their assigned functions. Likewise, the same is true for the PVC coated apron you are required to wear. Different colors can indicate different departments to allow all employees to know which one to use. If you work in a department that uses a certain type of chemical, your apron color or type indicates to others where you work and whether or not you can have any contact with that person. For example, a person working in a department that handles corrosives will be noticeable by the color of their apron. In this case, name tags and department badges are not practical because there is a level of closeness required to be able to read them. The apron stands as the only indicator needed to avoid workplace accidents.
While you might always feel safe on your job as a result of safety practices, your employer provides an extra layer of safety and protection by requiring you to always wear a PVC coated apron. Their use ranges from preventing injuries as a result of chemical splashes or escaped toxins to reducing or eliminating the possibility for cross contamination to occur. Likewise, aprons varying in color can indicate the different departments so there is no unsafe handling if an individual handles them all. Know your workplace procedures, follow the safety guidelines, and wear your apron to ensure full protection.