All workers must equip themselves with suitable clothing, shirts, and long pants for protection against both the weather and workplace hazards. Unless otherwise agreed upon, workers are also responsible for providing their own work gloves, safety headgear, and safety footwear. However, if a product requires specified gloves to protect the user against hand injuries such as slivers and cuts, the employer must provide those gloves. Employers are responsible for providing and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment. This includes fall, respiratory, eye, and hearing protection, and any other specialized protective equipment required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Employers need to make sure that the appropriate personal protective equipment is identified for various phases of construction and is being used by workers. Employers must ensure that workers are trained in the use of specialized protective equipment, including fall protection equipment, prior to use. Where there is a danger of making contact with moving parts of machinery, equipment, or tools: Avoid loose-fitting or frayed clothing. Remove accessories such as rings, dangling neckwear, loose-fitting bracelets, and watch bands. Confine long hair. Wear a short-sleeved shirt and long pants.
Foot protection
Footwear must protect the ankle, sole, and toes. Safety footwear with a CSA green triangle symbol meets these requirements. It is the worker’s responsibility to keep personal safety footwear in good repair. For example, exposed metal toecaps could be hazardous near electricity. Keep laces tied up at all times to avoid snagging or tripping.
Head protection
When entering a construction site, workers must wear CSA-approved hard hats. When using a hard hat: A chinstrap or ratchet may be required if your job involves constant bending and your head is below the waistline. Keep it clean. Inspect it regularly. Change the suspension harness at least every five years. Don’t use solvents to clean it. Don’t drill holes into it unless approved by the manufacturer. Don’t paint it. Don’t use it if it has a crack or a deep gouge. Don’t throw it around or use it as a hammer.