Pro Tips for Rigging Safety Gear for Heavy Equipment Lifts

Sometimes a drywall project calls for more than the standard tools. To install drywall on high walls or ceilings, you may need to use a drywall lift or scissor lift. These pieces of equipment are a bit bulkier and come with additional safety considerations, so you may need to upgrade your personal protective equipment (PPE) when you use them. Let's look at some pro tips for rigging safety gear for heavy equipment lifts.

Hard Hats

A quality hard hat is your first line of defense. When you operate a lift, you're often working below structures or with heavy materials. Should anything go awry, a hard hat provides cushioning for your head so that any impact has a reduced effect.

Your hard hat should fit snugly and securely on your head without being uncomfortable. It should provide proper coverage and meet safety standards for impact and penetration protection.

Eye Protection

Drywall work is often very dusty, especially during sanding. This means you'll need eye protection, even if you're not operating heavy equipment. If you are using heavy equipment such as a scissor lift, eye protection becomes even more critical. Dust can pour down from above, which could impair your vision, cause irritation, and lead to hazardous situations when you’re working from a height.

A good pair of safety goggles offers full wraparound protection, scratch resistance, and an antifog coating. They should fit snugly (but not uncomfortably tightly) to keep dust out.

Gloves for Grip and Safety

A solid pair of work gloves gives you a better grip on controls and materials, which reduces the chance of slips. They also protect your hands from cuts, scrapes, and blisters. With the right pair of gloves, you can handle drywall panels and operate the lift with more confidence and control.

Sturdy, Nonslip Footwear

Whether you’re on the ground cranking up a drywall lift or working high on a scissor lift, you need nonslip footwear. If your shoes have worn-out soles or lack proper grip, you risk slipping, which could lead to injuries such as sprains, fractures, or worse. For drywall work, the best type of footwear typically features slip-resistant soles, durable materials, and ample ankle support to handle uneven surfaces and long shifts.

A Harness for High Work

When you're working on a scissor lift, you'll need a fall protection harness. This piece of gear keeps you securely attached to an anchor point on the lift so that you don't fall from a height. Make sure your harness fits correctly, and properly inspect it before each use. A well-fitting harness combined with a lanyard of the appropriate length gives you the mobility you need to work without risking a serious injury.

High-Visibility Vests

When you operate or work near large machinery, other workers must be able to see you. A high-visibility vest makes you stand out against the busy backdrop of a worksite. This simple piece of gear helps equipment operators and other workers spot you easily, which prevents accidents and keeps everyone aware of their surroundings.

Stay Safe, Work Smart

Your safety comes first on every job. Gear up properly before firing up any heavy equipment lifts or related machinery. One shortcut isn't worth a lifetime of consequences. At Timothy's Toolbox, we stock LIFT safety gear such as hard hats, safety goggles, and vests. These comfortable, reliable pieces of PPE will protect you as you tackle challenging projects with confidence.