PPE for the Oil and Gas Industry: All You Need to Know

After guiding you through the protective equipment that all welders should wear when working, today’s article is dedicated to people working in the oil and gas industry. The level of risk they face when performing the task is extremely high as the chemicals and substances they handle can be corrosive, flammable and irritating. Moreover, they may encounter multiple hazards arising from the weather conditions, temperature and location they work in. To make sure that you and your employees are always safe, you must provide them with the right PPE for the oil and gas industry. Let’s find out together what it is made of.

Head protection

One of the most important protective equipment for the oil and gas industry is safety eyewear. Workers are exposed to flying particles, hazardous acids and liquids, as well as to light radiation that can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, it is essential to identify the specific type of hazard and choose the right type of eye protection. In some cases, wearing face shiels over goggles or glasses can be the perfect solution as they will provide protection to the whole face area. When there is a risk of falling objects, safety eyewear must be paired with safety helmets.

Body protection

As oil and gas workers usually handle hazardous chemicals, protective gloves are a must. Again, each substance is different so employers must run an audit to identify the specific risks and select the right protective material. Neoprene, nitrile and latex can offer great protection against dangerous substances, however workers are often exposed to other types of hand hazards, like cuts, punctures, abrasion, electrical arc flashes. In such cases, gloves must also have cut resistant and ESD properties.

Foot protection

As previously mentioned, hazards can also come from the jobsite and workers can be at risk of fall, slip and electrical hazards. For this reason, the right PPE for the only and gas industry also includes safety footwear. Safety boots should be impact-resistant, insulated and have a slip-resistant sole.

Respiratory protection

Last but not least, oil and gas PPE might also include respiratory protection depending on the specific work environment. If risks of exposure to dangerous substances remain after other measures have been taken, employers must provide their workers with RPE, like face masks or air-purifying respirators to filter chemicals and airborne particles.

Now that you know everything about PPE for the oil and gas industry, browse our full collection of high-quality protective equipment!