Portwest Construction Magazine

IMPACT

Evaluating impacts

The potential for impact-related injuries presents a significant risk, particularly concerning the foot, hand, and head. These body parts often bear the brunt of accidents, emphasising the critical need for stringent safety protocols, comprehensive training, heightened hazard awareness, and protective equipment on construction sites. The foot stands as a vulnerable target within construction zones where heavy materials are frequently transported. Accidents involving dropped bricks, steel beams, or other objects can result in severe injuries, spanning from fractures to crushing wounds. To mitigate these risks, it’s imperative workers wear sturdy boots or shoes with toe caps designed to absorb shock and protect against crushing forces. The hands serve as an indispensable tool in construction tasks, yet they are exceptionally susceptible to injury from impacts. Whether it’s accidental injury from power tools or grappling with machinery, the hands are in constant jeopardy. Impacts to the hands can cause lacerations, crush injuries, or even amputations, with lasting consequences for the worker’s livelihood and quality of life. Hand protection is paramount to the safety of the wearer, acting as a barrier shielding the workers’ hand from potential risks. The head is a primary target for impact-related accidents on construction sites. From falling debris to accidental collisions with overhead structures or equipment, head injuries represent a huge risk to workers. Even seemingly minor incidents can result in concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or worse. Head protection serves as a frontline defence, deflecting or absorbing the force of impacts and reducing the likelihood of devastating outcomes.

FOOT PROTECTION

PROTECTION FROM IMPACT INJURIES: TOECAP PROTECTION • Composite

Non-metallic protective toecaps are ideal in metal-free environments. EN ISO 20345:2022 safety footwear standards require that toecaps are tested to 200 Joules impact resistance. Following impact testing, no delamination or cracking should be present. The minimal clearance between the footbed and internal toecap height should remain uncompromised. • Steel Metallic protective toecaps are widely used in safety footwear. EN ISO 20345:2022 safety footwear standards require that toecaps are tested to 200 Joules impact resistance. Following impact testing the minimal clearance between the footbed and internal toecap height should remain uncompromised. METATARSAL PROTECTION Safety footwear with Metatarsal protection is designed to protect from impacts at the top of the foot, across the metatarsals. Under EN ISO 20345:2022 standard, the footwear is tested for impact resistance, resulting from force distributed over the outsole, the toecap and as large a surface area of the foot as possible. The metatarsal protective component shall be attached to the footwear in a way that cannot be removed without damaging the footwear. The metatarsal component must fit the shape of the footwear at the inner and outer sides and overlap the toecap by a minimum of 5mm.

CONSTRUCTION

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