From Volume 2 Issue 2 of Connected.
Construction companies have an obligation to protect workers by providing the safest jobsite possible and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to safely do their job. However, one type of PPE often gets overlooked. Headlamps, as well as other personal lighting options, are often missing from PPE budgets, despite meeting OSHA's definition of PPE , “equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.” By not including personal lighting in these budgets, worker safety is at risk and company liability increases.
Without proper lighting to perform typical tasks on a jobsite, easily preventable accidents may occur. Headlamps clearly offer preventative measures for individual protection and efficient work. Headlamps allow hands-free lighting in low-light areas and provide clear, targeted light for tasks in very dark, confined spaces or during plant shutdowns. Headlamps are often used for tasks such as operating, maintaining or repairing equipment. They enhance safe movement of employees through a jobsite, allowing them to see obstacles ahead to avoid trip hazards and falls that cause more than 30 percent of all construction accidents, according to OSHA.
More and more safety professionals have been advocating for the inclusion of headlamps in standard PPE or for headlamps to be specified in company budgets. The responsibility of providing lighting equipment has been solely with contractors, typically purchasing from their local distributor or hardware store. But it is important that they make informed decisions when purchasing personal lighting based on the features needed that fit their work environment and not purely based on price.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING PERSONAL LIGHTING TO INCREASE JOBSITE SAFETY
When choosing PPE headlamps or other personal lighting, Greg Scalf, Territory Manager-Industrial Construction at Milwaukee Tool, suggests that you consider a few key factors that allow you to make the best selection for your money and jobsite conditions.
Does the headlamp have sufficient run-time?
When you are working an eight- to twelve-hour day, it is critical that your headlamp has sufficient run-time to supply lighting for your complete shift.
Is the light output bright and effective for the task at hand?
It is important to select headlamps and personal lighting with a high lumen count and color accurate light to properly light up the job space. Headlamps with a variety of output modes and light intensities guarantee you have appropriate light for various tasks.
Is the battery rechargeable?
Personal lighting with rechargeable batteries prevents wasted time from having to consistently change out batteries. Models with a micro-USB charging port can quickly be recharged from a cell phone charger or laptop. They also maintain bright, consistent lighting throughout the run-time. While more costly up front, they save money over disposable single use batteries and are more eco-friendly.
How durable is the product?
While on the jobsite, personal lighting often takes a beating from being accidentally dropped, thrown in a toolbox, driven over and more. Products made of high-quality materials may cost a bit more, but their durability in rugged conditions is well worth the cost. It's also important to know if they are Ingress Protection (IP) rated for water and dust resistance and to what degree.
Will the headlamp be used in a hazardous environment?
With stricter regulations being set by OSHA, state codes and even local standards, it is important to know if your headlamp is certified for various classes, divisions and groups of materials. Choosing a headlamp classified as intrinsically safe ensures that nothing in the light will ignite hazardous materials like gases, chemicals or other combustibles, making it the top choice when working in volatile surroundings.
Scalf says Milwaukee incorporates combinations of these factors throughout a variety of their personal lighting products (see page 24). For example, MILWAUKEE® headlamps deliver high output light and are designed to work with virtually any hard hat, conveniently attaching and securing to hard hats with clips and a rubber grip. “We've got banding that will go around these, we provide four clips that will clip onto any hard hat that is out there, which then allows the user not to mess with the integrity of the hard hat,” says Scalf. He's seen many examples of people drilling into hard hats to do a makeshift attachment of a headlamp. This action breaks the overall strength of the hard hat, which can lead to possible OSHA violations and overall put the worker's personal safety at risk.
Milwaukee personal headlamps feature a variety of output modes and light intensities ensuring you have the appropriate lighting for the task. Built-in positioning head tilt allows users to direct the light wherever it is needed to see clearly and work safely. All of the LED headlamps feature TRUEVIEW™ High-Definition Output providing neutral, color-accurate light. Many of the personal headlamps feature REDLITHIUM™ USB Rechargeable batteries allowing for all-day runtime. Most are IP54 rated for dust and water resistance.
Also, Milwaukee offers an intrinsically safe spot/flood headlamp rated for Classes I, II and III, Division 1, making it ideal for hazardous location use. It is IP64 rated making it dustproof and water-resistant. It is powered by three AAA batteries.
Other Milwaukee options like personal flashlights and personal flood lights offer several of the same features as the headlamps. With focused, adjustable light, they are very compact and easy to fit in a pocket or clip to a hat, belt or bag.
It is wise for companies to include personal lighting in their budgets and specs to avoid any liability and safety issues that can easily be prevented by providing headlamps and other personal lighting. Companies can protect their workers from serious or even lethal accidents and lessen their liability by providing safe, high-quality PPE, such as personal lighting, that complies with certifications for the surrounding work environment. A safety win-win for all!