Face fitting masks in Construction
posted 22 Dec 22
Workers within the construction industry are at a higher risk for occupation-related disease than those in other professions.
Hazards that lead to lung problems later in life are common simply due to the nature of the work. Workers often suffer long-term exposure to dust, chemicals and other irritants, which can cause a range of lung problems, and in worst cases, lead to cancer and other serious illness (years after the exposure occurred).
There are approximately 13,500 cancer registrations and 8,000 cancer deaths each year due to occupational exposure. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also states that the construction industry has the largest burden of occupational-related deaths in the industrial sector, with many more living with breathing or lung problems caused or worsened by work.
Without the right equipment, working in a construction job (in a self-employed capacity or on a large building site), can clearly be a hazard to a worker’s health. Legally, it is the responsibility of the employer or main contractor to ensure that health and safety guidelines are followed on-site. Failure to adhere to these laws potentially puts lives at risk and opens potential for legal action down the line.Â
Search Construction & Property team’s support doesn’t stop when new hires are made. We have specially trained recruitment consultants to support our temporary and permanent workers and keep them healthy throughout their careers by fitting them with a protective face mask.Â
Face fitting is essential protection
The best way to protect workers from the hazards during building demolition and refurbishment is with respiratory protective equipment (RPE). There are several types of RPE and each one is designed to work within a specific environment to protect workers from various hazardous materials. These could be anything from dangerous chemicals to debris from the building, and the mask can be as simple as a visor, all the way up to a full hood. Whatever form it takes, RPE is an essential part of the modern construction site.Â
RPE protects the future lung health of those in construction jobs. However, RPE won’t protect the wearer if fitted poorly. Therefore, workers will need to undergo fit testing, and this will need to be repeated when equipment is changed.
With something as important as lung health, ensuring workers wear the correct mask for their face and have the best equipment for the job is vital. There are many reasons why an RPE mask wouldn’t fit, including facial hair, scars and wrinkles, especially when fitted by an untrained eye - that’s why it’s so important to have an experienced mask fitter who knows how to ensure there are no leaks or gaps where hazardous material can seep through.Â
Search tackles the problem
When new recruits turn up at a building site on Monday morning, ready to work, it’s not as simple as getting on with the job at hand. Workers will need to be fitted for equipment, and possibly multiple face protectors, depending on the project before they can start work.Â
Search Construction & Property team’s support doesn’t stop when new hires are made. We have specially trained recruitment consultants to support our temporary and permanent workers and keep them healthy throughout their careers by fitting them with a protective face mask.Â
Our candidates’ health and safety is a top priority. Undertaking face fits and providing the official certification to go with it for each worker means our clients not only stay compliant with HSE regulations but ensures the ongoing protection of our workforce. Not all recruitment agencies provide such a service completely for free (if at all!) but this is just one of the many ‘value added’ services we offer to support our clients and candidates as standard.
The way the Search Construction & Property team go about their business is with professionalism, and the quality of the service provided is second none. I’ve been in the industry for quite some time and have dealt with construction recruitment agencies in the past – Search are head and shoulders above the rest. I personally haven’t found any other company with the attitude to work and customer satisfaction that Search provide, even when I need to have someone face fitted the same day, whether it be in Manchester or Liverpool, Search always get the job done. With a thorough determination to provide good quality service, Search put the health and safety of site operatives at the very top of their list, and for this I am very grateful.
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