PPE for truckers? See what you can’t miss

Taking care of your own safety is essential for those who work on the road and face many risks on a daily basis. For this reason, the use of PPE for truck drivers, which are Personal Protective Equipment, is highly recommended.

This equipment is essential for accident prevention and guarantees the safety and health of the driver and everyone who crosses their way on the roads, especially in emergencies. However, many professional drivers are not even aware of the existence of these safety items and are, therefore, at serious risk during their travels.

Meet the legislation on PPE for truck drivers

Knowing the truck driver’s PPE is a way to protect yourself and ensure more safety for your trips. More than a recommendation, Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory by law for truck drivers. The requirement is indispensable to practice the profession, and neglecting its use can generate several penalties.

Regulatory Norm No. 6, of the Ministry of Labor, deals with the use of personal protective equipment required from professionals and employers in the exercise of their professions. It informs how the inspection is carried out and presents the mandatory items for each part of the body, depending on the function performed.

According to NR-6, it is the employer’s obligation to purchase PPE appropriate to the risk of each activity and provide it to employees. These, in turn, have an obligation to comply with the determinations on the correct use of the equipment.

Yet, The Brazilian Standard 9735/2016, from ABNT, is more specific and deals with the use of PPE in the transport of dangerous cargo, determining which is the minimum set of equipment that must be used by the driver and his assistants in their travels.

According to article 482 of the CLT, the lack of EPI for truck drivers may result in a fine, embargo or ban from the company, to the company, and warning and dismissal for just cause, in case of recurrence, to the employee, consisting of a serious fault.

Find out what PPE is for truckers

PPE is equipment for personal use to protect the worker against the unhealthy effects of aggressive agents. The most used are safety glasses, hearing protectors, breathing masks, and boots. All of them must be checked before use and then kept clean and in an appropriate place.

Next, see some of the main items that should appear on your trucker PPE:

Hearing protection

A device used in the external auditory canal to protect the ear against situations, such as loud noises, water ingress, impurities, and excessive wind. It should be used during loading and unloading in places with noise levels above the permitted level, but not when the driver is driving, as he needs to be attentive to the road.

Scrape glove

Considered one of the indispensable equipment for truck drivers, the scrape gloves are used to protect the hands of professionals who work with cargo loading, mainly of goods with chemical substances.

The guideline is to use them whenever handling a dangerous cargo or chemical components, including during inspections and maintenance on the truck.

Luminous or reflective vest

This equipment can save your life, especially if you frequently travel at night. It has a mechanism that reflects whenever the light of another vehicle falls on it, ensuring that the professional is viewed.

This clothing ensures that the professional is seen at a distance of up to 300 meters, avoiding accidents, especially in environments with poor visibility, such as in the case of fog or smoke. Besides, if you need to get out of the truck at night or in an accident, it is also prudent to wear this PPE.

Chemical glasses

For those who transport chemical products, it is essential always to have goggles available. This safety equipment prevents injuries and burns to the corneas caused by gases and particles that can come off the products.

Helmet

The helmet protects against impacts on the head and must be used when loading and unloading products. So always have it in your vehicle and get in the habit of using it.

Dust respirator

Equipment to protect the respiratory tract from dust that prevents contamination and aspiration of various products, such as iron ore, laundry detergent, salt, caustic soda, vegetable dust, and acid mists. It should always be used to transport these dangerous products.

Semi-facial mask

Equipment designed to protect the professional’s face from dust, gases, and toxic products. Its shape ensures that the user’s nose and mouth are preserved and do not come into contact with substances harmful to health.

Its use should be considered mainly by workers who have direct contact with diesel oil since they are more likely to develop diseases. It should also be used when handling chemicals and in environments with paints, welds, sanding, and demolition of materials.

Robustec is safety

Finally, in addition to having all these essential equipment, the truck driver must carry out courses and training for the safe driving and transportation of products and the correct use of the equipment established by the standard.

Robustec has a complete line of accessories for securing cargo that offers everything you need to tie your load securely. The available options include items from the simplest to the most sophisticated, such as hand winches, clamps, tensioners, and secure fastening terminals for securing cargo.

Did you realize how important PPE for truckers is? So, do not be negligent and always have these safety equipment. They can save your life and ensure much safer, more productive, and smoother travel.

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