There is no standardization of requirements for the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among shippers and receivers at their facilities. Because they vary across the board, asking about any pick-up and delivery requirements should be part of your regular dispatch procedures. This way you will know if there are any special requirements prior to arriving. If a shipper or receiver has rules you do not want to follow, you can turn down the load and take a different one.

Regardless of what you learn about their requirements, it's important to be familiar with and prepared for any scenario in order to not only be compliant but to ensure utmost safety. We've got the necessary PPE to keep in your truck at all times.

PPE Items to Have on Hand

The most common PPE items are:

1. Hard Hat
2. Hearing Protection
3. Safety Shoes
4. Safety Glasses
5. Visibility Vest
6. Work Gloves
7. Mask 

Let's learn about each item and why it's important to keep each one with you at all times. After all, your safety and wellbeing are top priority!

1. Hard Hat

This is a requirement at many manufacturing facilities, even if the safety risk is low. Almost all construction sites and some manufacturers will require a hard hat. Some facilities will have extra items you can wear such as hard hats. But it's best to be prepared and keep one with you in the event that they don't.

2. Hearing Protection

Protecting your hearing is critical, as hearing loss can occur in a moment (such as with a gunshot) or over a period of time (when exposed to loud noises on an ongoing basis). Sounds up to 70 dBA are considered safe. When 85 dBA and above are reached, hearing damage can occur. The NOISH Sound Level Meter App can be used to check dBA levels. 

The two main types of hearing protection are earmuffs and ear plugs. Neither blocks all noise, but they do reduce the amount of noise around you. The earmuffs are more expensive, more comfortable, and generally provide better protection. Regardless of whether hearing protection is required, it is a good idea to take proper action to protect yourself.

3. Safety Shoes

Work boots, or boots with steel-toes and a steel-shank, are important in preventing damage from stepping on nails or other dangerous items. Many drivers prefer not to drive with safety shoes but keep a pair in the truck for those times when needed. You'll know they're safety certified if your boots have a little green triangle with the CSA emblem on the side. Again, similar to some items, some shippers and receivers will have loaner boots, but having your own pair will ensure your preparation and safety at all times. 

4. Safety Glasses

Having good quality safety glasses or goggles is a critical part of your PPE. Even though you may not directly be working on machinery where the greatest risk for eye damage occurs, particles can fly through the air and cause damage for those nearby. Some work environments are full of air containing various particles that can damage the eyes. 

ANSI Z87.1 is the gold standard in certification for safety glasses. Shippers and receivers may only require safety glasses but those that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards are recommended for the best protection. For drivers that wear prescription glasses and only need to wear safety glasses occasionally, safety goggles are an excellent option since they can go over your existing glasses ‚Äì and are much less expensive than getting a pair of prescription safety glasses. 

5. Visibility Vest

A bright, colorful vest ‚Äì orange or yellow are best ‚Äì help others see you. This is important in areas where equipment such as forklifts or vehicles are being driven. As we know, it can be difficult to see clearly when the lighting or weather is poor. Or when there are variations from bright sunlight when outside to darker light when inside such as when entering or exiting a warehouse. It's a lightweight piece of equipment that can be folded up small, yet has a huge impact on your safety. Staying visible helps to prevent accidents. 

6. Work Gloves 

Work gloves protect your hands and fingers on the job when doing things such as loading or unloading freight. Plus, they can help prevent the dirt and grease that ends up on them from getting into your cab and on your steering wheel. They're a good idea to wear, again, regardless of whether they're required. 

7. Mask

We know all too well about Covid-type masks and requirements. Same story - some facilities require them, and others don't. Best to keep extras in your truck for when they do, and respect their policy. If you need more information, refer to the CDC. 

Other Safety/Emergency Items

The above list of apparel is based on non-hazardous types of deliveries. It's important to note if you haul items that require placarding, you may have other types of PPE such as flame-retardant clothing (coveralls), a respirator (for gases, vapors, etc.), and special types of gloves. If you are handling these types of freight, you should have completed training to understand how to properly use the PPE when transporting and delivering hazardous materials.

There are a few other non-apparel safety/emergency items that are either required or recommended to keep in your truck:

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare fuses (at least one of each type/size of fuse needed for each applicable part and accessory)
• Bidirectional emergency reflective triangles (3)
• Fusee/signal flare (minimum of 6) or liquid-burning flares (minimum of 3)
• Flashlight
• Spare batteries

Especially in the case of an accident, these non-apparel items are critical to have on board for the safety of you and those around you.

As always, please be safe and motor on!