Protect What Matters: Building a Safer Shop with the Right PPE and Safety Solutions

June is National Safety Month. A reminder that workplace safety isn’t a one-time initiative, but an ongoing commitment. Established by the National Safety Council, this month highlights the importance of maintaining strong safety practices to protect workers and keep operations running smoothly.

In maintenance, repair and operations environments, safety is especially critical. Preventable injuries remain one of the leading causes of death in the United States, making proactive safety measures essential, not optional.

The good news? With the right combination of safety practices, training and personal protective equipment (PPE), you can control risks before they turn into incidents.

Start with the Right Safety Foundation

Effective workplace safety begins with compliance. Following OSHA guidelines and industry standards helps ensure your shop meets required benchmarks and protects employees from avoidable hazards.

But compliance alone isn’t enough. Safety should be built into your daily operations, from how your workspace is organized to the equipment your team uses every day.

That’s where a comprehensive safety and PPE strategy comes in.

PPE

Personal protective equipment plays a vital role in preventing injuries and minimizing exposure to hazards. OSHA requires that PPE meets or exceeds established standards, often set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Kimball Midwest offers a full range of safety and PPE solutions designed to help protect workers in demanding environments, including:

Eye and Face Protection

Protect against flying chips, debris and chemical splashes with ANSI Z87.1-rated eyewear and face shields.

Glove Protection

From cut-resistant to impact-resistant options, gloves help safeguard hands from sharp materials and jobsite hazards.

Head, Hearing and Respiratory Protection

• Head and face protection to reduce injury from impact
• Hearing protection to limit long-term exposure to noise
• NIOSH-approved respirators (N95–P100) to help filter dust, vapors and airborne contaminants

Work and Safety Apparel

High-visibility clothing (Class II–III) improves worker visibility and reduces risk in busy or low-light environments.

Beyond PPE

While PPE is essential, it’s only one piece of the safety puzzle. A truly safe shop includes products and systems that help prevent, respond to and control hazards:

• First Aid Supplies: Be ready to respond quickly when injuries occur.
• Spill Control: Contain and clean hazardous materials before they spread.
• Lockout/Tagout and Security: Prevent accidental equipment startup and unauthorized access.
• Safety Signs and Visual Communication: Reinforce best practices and alert workers to risks.
• Heat Stress and Hydration Solutions: Help keep workers safe and productive in extreme conditions.

These tools work together to reduce risk and create a safer, more controlled work environment.

Training

Even the best safety equipment is only effective when used properly. That’s why training is critical.

Workers should be educated on:

• Proper PPE selection and usage
• Emergency procedures
• Safe operation of tools and equipment

Regular refresher courses help keep safety top-of-mind and reinforce best practices over time.

Safety seminars and ongoing education can also uncover new ways to improve efficiency while reducing risk, creating value beyond compliance.

Take the Next Step

Don’t leave safety to chance. Whether you’re upgrading your PPE or strengthening your overall safety program, the right tools and knowledge make all the difference.

Explore Kimball Midwest’s full line of safety and PPE solutions to help protect your team, stay compliant and keep your operation running at its best. Reach out to your sales rep to learn more. If you do not have a sales rep, we can help you