Safety Protection on Worksites: A Guide to Protecting All 5 Senses
Safety Protection on Worksites: A Guide to Protecting All 5 Senses
Whether it’s a bustling fleet garage, a dusty construction zone, or a loud mining operation, your senses are your first line of defense. That’s why protecting them isn’t just a best practice. It’s essential. From hearing damage to chemical exposure, overlooking even one aspect of sensory protection can lead to injury, lost productivity, and costly downtime.
At Lawson Products, we know that keeping your team safe means addressing risks from every angle. Here’s a sense-by-sense guide to essential PPE, plus the gear you need to stay compliant, confident, and covered.
Sight: Guarding Against Dust, Debris, and Splash
Your eyes are constantly at risk on the job, whether from flying debris, liquid splash, or airborne irritants. That’s why proper eye protection is non-negotiable. For all-day clarity and wraparound coverage, Torrent Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses deliver 180-degree acuity and anti-fog technology that won’t quit under pressure. In environments where splash hazards are present, Indirect Vent Safety Goggles offer enhanced protection with a FogLess® 3Sixty™ coating and a snug neoprene seal that fits over most prescription lenses.
But protection doesn’t stop at prevention; response matters too. The Porta Stream II Eyewash Station offers a portable, self-contained solution with 15 minutes of uninterrupted flushing, while the Wall-Mount Halo™ Eyewash Station provides a compliant, high-visibility option for permanent jobsite readiness.
Explore all of our eye protection solutions to safeguard your team’s vision from every angle.
Hearing: Reducing Noise, Preserving Clarity
Worksite noise can be annoying, but it can also be hazardous. According to OSHA, employers must provide hearing protection when noise exposure exceeds 85 decibels (dB) over an 8-hour time-weighted average. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to permanent hearing damage, reduced communication, and even increased accident risk due to missed auditory cues.
To stay compliant and protect your crew, access to reliable hearing protection is a must. The LS500 Ear Plug Dispenser offers a highly visible, wall-mounted solution that holds up to 500 pairs of earplugs, making it easy for workers to grab protection on the go. For jobs that require more robust coverage, the V2 Passive Ear Muff delivers comfortable, high-performance noise reduction with a slim profile and adjustable headband for a secure fit in confined or active environments.
Browse all of our hearing protection gear to keep your team compliant and protected, shift after shift.
Smell & Taste: Breathing Safely, Avoiding Chemical Exposure
Did you know your senses of smell and taste are more than just biological perks? They can act as early warning systems. But on the job, they’re constantly under threat from airborne contaminants like fumes, dust, vapors, and chemical residues. According to OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, employers are required to provide suitable respiratory protection when engineering controls are not sufficient to reduce airborne hazards to safe levels. This includes conducting hazard assessments, fit testing, and ensuring proper respirator maintenance.
For reliable day-to-day protection, the Half Facepiece Respirator offers a lightweight solution that effectively filters particulates and fumes. When facing more intense exposure to chemicals or high-risk environments, the Full Facepiece Respirator provides full-coverage protection—including eye shielding—without compromising comfort or visibility. To help prolong the life of your equipment and reduce contamination, Respirator Wipes are a fast, effective solution for cleaning masks between uses.
Airflow matters too! The Industrial Floor Fan is a simple but effective way to improve ventilation, reduce airborne particulate buildup, and support a safer work environment.
See all of our respiratory safety equipment to help your team breathe easier and stay compliant.
Touch: Protecting Hands, Heads, and Feet
Your sense of touch is constantly exposed on the job. You may be required to handle sharp materials and high-heat surfaces, or you may be facing the risks of electrical contact or heavy impact. No matter if you're managing wiring in a fleet garage or navigating icy terrain in a work yard, protecting your hands, head, and feet is non-negotiable.
Start with your first line of defense: gloves. Lawson’s range of work gloves is designed to protect against cuts, chemicals, vibration, and heat, so your team can handle tough jobs with confidence. Up top, head protection solutions include impact-resistant helmets and accessories that shield against falling objects and overhead hazards. And below the knees, foot protection options such as steel-toe boots, chemical-resistant footwear, and traction add-ons ensure stability and safety across every type of surface.
Why Sensory Safety Matters
Neglecting even one sense on a job site can have long-term consequences for worker health, operational efficiency, compliance, and morale. A fully outfitted PPE program shows your team you care, and that they can trust their gear to perform under pressure.
Proper PPE only works if it’s available and maintained. From Vendor Managed Inventory to responsive site visits, Lawson ensures your safety stock is ready when and where you need it.
Looking to audit your PPE program or expand protection? Contact Lawson’s team today and let’s build a safer, more resilient worksite together.