Knee Pads and Ergonomic PPE
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- Knee pads are not a luxury — they are essential PPE for any trade that involves frequent kneeling: concrete finishing, flooring, tile, plumbing, electrical, and roofing.
- Chronic kneeling without protection causes bursitis (inflammation of the knee bursa), meniscus damage, and osteoarthritis. These conditions are cumulative and often require surgery.
- Choose knee pads that fit your work: soft foam pads for light-duty indoor work, hard-cap pads for concrete and rough surfaces, and hinged pads for tasks requiring frequent standing and kneeling.
- Knee pads must fit properly — too loose and they slide, providing no protection; too tight and they restrict blood flow. Adjust straps so the pad stays centered over the kneecap.
- Anti-vibration gloves, back support belts (when recommended by a medical professional), and ergonomic tool handles are other forms of ergonomic PPE that protect against cumulative injury.
Ask the crew
If you are kneeling today, are you wearing knee pads — and do they fit well enough to stay in place?
Standards this talk is built on
- Section 5(a)(1)
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
Run this talk with your crew and keep the record
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Sign-in sheet
Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.
| Name | Signature | Date |
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