Five Non-Healthcare Industries with High PPE Demand
In the last year, PPEs or lack thereof have dominated the headlines. There has been an increased demand for these commodities as COVID-19 cases continued to soar, which lead to a global shortage. Frontline workers and healthcare workers demand the PPEs, and latex gloves lead to a tremendous surge in demand.
Apart from playing a crucial role in keeping men and women in the medical profession safe, PPEs are essential in other industries. The continued industrialization growth has increased the demand for safety clothing for workers. Using PPE acts as a defense against serious injuries that can happen in the line of duty. In this article, we will look at five other industries where there is a high demand for PPEs.
Oil and Gas Industry
For a long time, professionals in the oil and gas industries have risked their lives as they face a wide variety of hazards. Oil and gas products, as well as chemicals used, can be irritating, flammable, or corrosive. Drillers and chain hands require protective wear in the workplace to protect them from these dangers.
In oil and gas workplaces, PPE for eye protection, hand and foot protection, hearing protection, and flame-resistant clothing is crucial. Additionally, workers in these sites need to wear portable monitors responsible for detecting hydrogen sulfide and other gases.
Construction Industry
The construction industry is continuously expanding. It is also one of the most profitable industries in the world. People are always coming up with new designs of buildings and structures to keep up with modern times and the growing demand for housing. It is a requirement to wear the recommended PPE when one is on a construction site.
All the workers need to wear PPE such as hard hats to protect the head, safety boots for foot protection, protective coveralls, face shields, and eyewear protection. Workers above 6 feet must also wear fall protective equipment. If the site is around a toxic substance, one needs to use respiratory protection. It keeps one safe from dust, paint spray, fumes, or pesticides.
Construction sites are also very noisy. Being exposed to such noises for an extended duration can cause ear damage. Workers can use hearing protection such as earplugs and earmuffs to protect their ears.
Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry has vast operations. As a result, it requires large deployments of personal protective equipment. There are different types of manufacturing industries where workers need in PPE varies. For example, welding and metal manufacturing industry workers require hard hats, face shields, and welding helmet goggles to protect their eyes.
Employees working in manufacturing industries that use toxic substances will need breathing masks to protect the respiratory system. In some cases, using a simple mask cannot be enough. Instead, you may need to use a full respirator mask to be well protected.
Food and Beverage Industry
Coronavirus has changed not only the way we travel and interact but also reiterated the importance of sanitation in food and beverage production. Many hotels and food chains have responded to the coronavirus pandemic by introducing new hygiene standards. From using advanced cleaning agents with high-grade disinfectants to thermal checks for staff.
However, there is a reinforced requirement for staff to use PPE, which has also increased demand. Using PPE in the hospitality industry is becoming more and more common, especially in cases where constant interaction is required.
Personnel involved in packaging, processed foods, and beverage sectors also need to wear PPEs to ensure food meets the highest hygiene standards. Therefore, they have a high demand for PPE.
Agricultural Industry
Agriculture makes up about a third of the world's labor force. It is also the second-largest employment source in the world. It involves working with machinery, plants, products, and animals in an indoor or outdoor setting. It also varies from climate from one place to another.
Agriculture is also heavily mechanized in the developed world and operates on a large scale. As a result, agriculture is also a hazardous sector, and many workers have experienced work-related injuries or ill-health. The largest contributor to ill health is exposure to chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides, and infectious agents.
Wearing PPEs in the agriculture industry prevents this complication. They reduce skin contact with these harmful substances. Farmers also wear respiratory protection gear and eye protection.
Conclusion
Apart from intensive use in the healthcare industry, many industries have specific PPEs to keep workers protected. PPEs are the first line of defense for oil and gas, construction, F&B, manufacturing, and agricultural industries.
