If you want a lucrative career that doesn’t require a college degree, you should consider becoming an electrician.
If you are already an electrician, you know how dangerous this job could be. Electrical work is necessary, but it comes with some safety risks.
If you wear the right gear, you won’t have to worry about these risks affecting you while you’re on the job. Here are a few things an electrician should wear to work.
Clothes that follow OSHA standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that operates under the Department of Labor. They set safety standards for the workplace.
Per their guidelines and regulations, anyone who works near an electrical field must wear fire-resistant (FR) clothing to protect themselves from electrical arcs.
Employers must provide FR gear to workers based on these standards, which is why FR gear is considered personal protective equipment (PPE). Wearing PPE at all times while you’re on the job is one of the best tips for staying safe during an electrical fire.
Hopefully, you won’t have to worry about any electrical fires while you’re on the job, but, as you know, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Safety vests
Electricians must wear safety vests when working on a construction site or at night.
They need to be visible to other workers so that they don’t put themselves in harm’s way.
There are a few types of vests that an electrician should wear, depending on the type of work they’re doing that day. Breakaway vests have a special design that prevents them from getting caught on equipment and other items.
However, on a cold day, you will want to wear a safety jacket, which has the same bright neon colors that increase your visibility to others, but it also has sleeves and better insulation to keep you warm.
Hard-Toe boots
Anyone working in an industrial environment should wear footwear that can ensure their safety. The best footwear for an electrician should have a few characteristics to keep the electrician safe.
First, the soles of the shoe or boot should have electrical isolation so that your body doesn’t get electrocuted from the point of contact. Your soles should also be slip-resistant so that you don’t fall or hurt yourself.
Next, the upper portion should be water-resistant because water is a great conductor of electricity. Finally, there should be a protective toe cap that’s non-metallic in case you drop a heavy piece of equipment on your foot.
Overall, being an electrician is a great job for people who want to benefit society.