Top Safety PPE for HVAC Techs

Nothing is more important than safety while working in HVAC. You can only keep working on equipment when you have the right PPE to protect you from hazards while on the job. That’s why we are going over the top safety PPE for HVAC techs, so you can check those off the list and keep them ready to use. Make safety a top priority and check out our list of essentials below. 

Top Safety PPE for HVAC Techs

Gloves

Gloves are some of the most important PPE that a tech could have to keep themselves safe while working. There’s a variety of different gloves that are used to protect your hands, many of them insulated to protect from exterior factors. The largest 2 you will want to have readily available are ones insulated to protect against electricity and another coated to protect hands from chemicals. 

When choosing a glove, ask yourself what tasks are you doing while working? What are you protecting your hands from? Answering those questions will help you narrow down which gloves you want to have in your tool kit. 

Shoes

Foot protection keeps your toes safe and helps support the foot when you’re on your feet all day. Protecting toes from any falling objects or other hazards means choosing either steel toed shoes or composite toed shoes. Steel toe shoes are heavier and colder, so for those working outside during winter times composite might be a better option. Choosing also between gym shoe style shoes or boot style is essential. The choice depends on what you are working on as a technician. Make sure you find the right pair for your work and that they fit correctly. Incorrectly fitted shoes can cause issues to your foot and be painful to work in. 

Ear Protection

Never forget about protecting ear drums when working in a loud environment. Whether it’s ear plugs or headphones that cover the entire ear, both are essential to keep ears safe when the decibel levels are high. Ear plugs are easy to use and some come with a cord to keep them accessible around your neck. The problem is that they aren’t always rated to protect against extremely loud work. If you are working and need more intense ear protection, ear-covering headphones are the better choice. 

Eyes & Face Protection

Eye protection and face protection are the foundation for safety PPE for HVAC techs. They come in a variety of options based on the type of working you will be doing. Some important ones to make sure to have on hand could be:

• Goggles
• Face shields
• Impact glasses

Always check with your company’s standards and regulations on what eye and face protection is appropriate and preferred. 

Hard Hats

Keeping the top of your head safe from falling objects, hard hats are a mandatory PPE for some technicians. Many hats now have adjustable ratchets so it can fit securely for everyone. There are also different colors and designs available, meaning you can find the right one for your needs.