Tradespeople working in construction and remediation come into contact with a variety of dangerous contaminants every day – it’s part of the job.
In addition to natural elements, substances such as concrete powder, wood dust and shavings, paint fumes and gases, and cleaning chemicals are commonplace on site. And one material that seems to be sticking around for the long haul is fiberglass insulation. As an inexpensive and effective material, it’s no surprise that 71% of new homes have been constructed using batt or blown-in fiberglass insulation.
How is Installing Fiberglass Insulation Dangerous?
When fiberglass is altered in any way (cut, chopped, sanded, or sawed) the dust produced could land on a worker’s skin. When installing fiberglass insulation, contact with the material could result in uncomfortable rashes, or worse, the fibers becoming embedded in the outer layer of skin.
Fiberglass insulation can also cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, which is why it’s important that your team is using high-quality PPE when they’re handling it. In addition to head coverings, protective goggles, a respirator, and gloves, a secondary disposable garment to protect your first layer of clothing is essential.
Having that second layer of protection keeps your primary clothing clean, which reduces the risk of contaminating your vehicle or potentially bringing dangerous glass fibers back home to loved ones.
Aside from the material itself, the environment in which your team is installing fiberglass insulation poses challenges. It’s important to take into account that someone is more than likely maneuvering through crawl spaces and working long hours in a hot attic space.
In these situations, it’s critical to choose disposable PPE that will protect your employees and stand the test of these laborious tasks.
SafeGard® SMMS for Installing Fiberglass Insulation
Lakeland’s new CE-certified, global pattern coverall, SafeGard® SMMS, is an economical garment suited to protect against the dry particulates and light liquid splash that one might encounter in general maintenance, paint booth operations, or construction. This lightweight and breathable coverall weighs in at just 45gsm, keeping your team comfortable and able to focus on the task at hand.
Keeping those extremely small fibers out is important, and SafeGard has particle filtration efficiency tested to the IEST-RP-CC-003.3 standard with a result of >98.2% keeping your team both comfortable and safe.
SafeGard® comes in three configurations to meet a variety of needs. With four dual-sizing options that feature elastic back, you can simplify your orders and have more coveralls to fit your crew members.
What PPE Should I Wear for Installing Spray Foam Insulation?
When installing spray foam insulation, your team could come into contact with liquid hazards, so it’s important that they have the right type of PPE for the job. Lakeland’s MicroMax® NS Global coveralls offer protection from dirt, dust, grease, grime like SafeGard® SMMS, with the addition of light chemical splash protection.
High Quality and Economical PPE From Lakeland
Ensure that your team has the best second layer certified protection that will keep them safe from both dry (fiberglass) or wet (spray foam) applications. We take the time to test and certify our products to meet or exceed industry standards. Our product engineers consider the comfort of the workers and make sure the price point is justified.
When compared to our peers in the market, Lakeland’s MicroMax® NS Global and SafeGard® SMMS products outperform time after time. We know the quality speaks for itself, and we encourage you to request a sample of the PPE that fits your application to see the Lakeland difference for yourself.
Contact your sales representative now and get your sample order started today.
