Hay River (May 03/04) - Randy Williams sees an increase in the use of safety equipment among northern workers.

Williams is the manager of Northern Metallic Sales in Hay River. The company sells wholesale industrial supplies, including an array of safety equipment.

"It depends on the individual, but I would say there's been an overall increase in people's awareness and people wanting to be safe," says Williams.

Williams has a theory about the increasing focus on safety. "I think it is more people knowing someone who has gotten hurt."

All workers should consider the need for safety equipment no matter what job they're doing, he says.

Protection comes in various forms. There are the basics like safety glasses, hard hats, gloves and steel-toed work boots.

Then there are lanyards -- harnesses for scaffolders and roofers -- traffic safety vests, hearing protection, respiratory protection and much more.

"It's a larger spectrum than what you would think," Williams says.

Plus, he says innovations are always occurring to various pieces of safety equipment. One recent innovation has been a lens insert for safety glasses. The insert can be removed, re-shaped to match a person's prescription glasses. Along with providing improved vision, the system saves money.

"That's something new," Williams says. "It just came out this year."

Improving technology is making safety equipment lighter and more comfortable, he adds. "I don't think comfort is as big of an issue as it used to be."

Williams says the price range for safety equipment depends on quality, just like everything else. "You get what you pay for."