Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment that will protect you against
health and safety hazards at work. It is essential that employees provide PPE to their staff to
protect them from potential health and safety hazards at work. PPE includes safety footwear,
high-visibility clothing, ear and eye protection, safety gloves and respiratory protection.
1. Head Protection
Hard hats and bump caps are commonly used at construction worksites. They are used to
protect employees from falling objects and electrical shocks. Head protection also helps
construction workers to stand out to members of the public who are near the work site. It is
essential that hard hats are well-fitted and are not damaged to allow for the correct protection.
2. Face and Eye Protection
Safety goggles and face shields are used by workers to protect their face and eyes against
burns, dust and chemical splashes. It is essential to check that there are no cracks or dents on
the lenses of your safety goggles and face shields and that they are fit securely on your
forehead and at the back of your head.
3. Hearing Protection
Earplugs and earmuffs are used to prevent hearing loss and other hearing problems when at
the worksite. It is essential to check that earplugs fit into your ear correctly and that they do not
fall out of your ear during work.
4. Respiratory Protection
Respirators are used to protect workers from dust, fumes and other dangerous substances. It is
important to check that the respirator fits the employee correctly and that they are trained in
when and how to use it.
5. Foot Protection
Safety boots are used by workers at construction sites and other jobs that require a lot of time
outdoors. Safety boots help to protect feet from falling objects, slippery surfaces and hot
substances. It is important to replace boots that are damaged or have holes in them as they will
not protect the user effectively.
6. Hand and Skin Protection
Safety gloves are used by workers to protect their skin from burns, cuts and splashes from
dangerous substances. It is important for employees to check if the gloves fit them correctly and
to replace them if they are damaged to ensure that their hands are protected.
7. Protective Clothing
High-visibility clothing and protective gear should be worn by employees so as they stand out to
oncoming vehicles and to prevent accidents. In 2013, the law EN471 was released to instruct
employees who are working in hazardous working situations to wear hi-vis clothing, so they are
visible to everyone. There is a range of hi-vis clothing available, including vests, coats, hoodies
and trousers.
