Personal Protective Equipment and Occupational Health
PPE is the last line of defence, but on a telescopic handler the specific items matter. Standard site PPE typically includes a hard hat, high-visibility clothing, safety boots and gloves; eye protection for dust or hydraulic work; and hearing protection where noise levels require it. Understand that PPE must be suitable, fit for purpose, maintained and correctly worn - a hard hat worn backwards or an unclipped hi-vis is a question trap.
Occupational health goes beyond bumps and cuts: noise-induced hearing loss (cumulative, irreversible), hand-arm vibration from prolonged tool use, dust/silica exposure, manual handling injuries, and whole-body vibration from driving over rough ground. Know that health effects are often delayed, which is why monitoring and controls matter.
Traps:
- Thinking PPE prevents the hazard - it only reduces exposure.
- Assuming hearing damage is reversible - it is not.
- Forgetting to inspect PPE before use (cracked hats, damaged harnesses).
- Believing manual handling only matters for heavy loads - poor posture with light loads also causes injury.
Rule of thumb for manual handling: assess the load, the route and your own capability before lifting; keep the load close, bend the knees, avoid twisting. If it is too heavy or awkward, get help or mechanical assistance.
Worked example: A driver notices ringing in the ears after a shift near a crusher. This is a warning sign of noise exposure; report it, review hearing protection and noise controls - do not dismiss it as normal.