Industrial Construction: Which Equipment to Choose?

The field of industrial construction involves many trades in direct contact with production machines and tools whose handling involves risks. These professions are moreover perfectly regulated, particularly in terms of PPE (personal protective equipment for the head, hands, eyes, knees, etc). Being well-equipped in the industrial construction sector is therefore essential to work in the best possible conditions in terms of efficiency and safety. This also involves appropriate professional attire, suited both to job requirements and external conditions that change with the seasons.

Table of contents:

• Boots or safety shoes
• Protective clothing
• Additional accessories

By choosing boots or safety shoes designed according to the EN ISO 20345 standard, you are guaranteed optimal foot protection. In industrial construction activities, it is recommended to wear models with anti-puncture midsoles, which is the case with S1P shoes. Depending on the situation, it may be worthwhile to directly equip yourself with S3 safety shoes to avoid the risk of water intrusion into the shoe. Because, unlike S3 standard models, S1P shoes are not waterproof. However, both combine all the protections related to slip and puncture risks. They are antistatic, resistant to hydrocarbons, absorb heel impacts and have steel or composite protective toe caps. Don't hesitate to also consider overshoes when needed, to gain grip on snowy or icy surfaces.

Many brands like Coverguard, Portwest or LMA have specialized in workwear, including high visibility ranges or rain suits. If your industrial construction activity requires you to wear HV clothing, know that there are all kinds available. Beyond the simple high visibility vest with retro-reflective strips compliant with EN ISO 20471 for HV clothing, there are numerous models of waterproof parkas some of which are complete sets with removable jackets convertible into sleeveless vests. Additional standards EN 343 (weather protection) and EN 342 (cold protection) ensure optimal outdoor comfort. They are specific to many softshell rain jackets offered in more classic color ranges. Increasingly functional, the multi-pocket work pants offered by different brands generally provide knee protection and have water-repellent properties that make them essential for many industrial construction trades.

Complying at minimum with the EN 420 standard, protective gloves are essential PPE in industrial construction activities. Some models (standard EN 388) protect against mechanical risks such as cuts or punctures, others against burns (EN 407), cold (EN 511), or chemicals (EN 374). The recommended equipment also includes appropriate protective glasses or masks following eye PPE standards, not forgetting helmets, noise-canceling earmuffs or earplugs. All these specific accessories effectively complement the industrial construction professional's outfit to guarantee their safety in their role.