Safety Workwear

PPE stands for “Personal Protective Equipment”, and refers to any piece of equipment such as site workwear designed to protect you from hazards you may be exposed to whilst at work. This can include physical dangers such as falling objects, as well as exposure to chemical, radiological, electrical hazards and more.

You’ll need different levels of PPE depending on your work environment, but for purposes such as warehouse or roofing work, adequate protective goggles, gloves, headwear, and shoes may be enough.

PPE is divided into four primary categories of personal protective equipment, based on the level of danger one may be exposed to. It's important to understand the differences between these and purchase equipment suitable for your work. 

Level A is required for the most hazardous work environments, including self-contained breathing apparatus, a full suit to protect against chemical exposure, inner and outer gloves and safety boots.

Level B is a step below Level A, still requiring the maximum protection afforded by breathing apparatus but without the need for as comprehensive protection for one’s skin and eyes.

Level C PPE should be worn in a highly hazardous environment but with less stringent requirements for personal protective equipment or site workwear than Levels A or B. You’re still required to wear air purification masks as a precaution against airborne hazards along with chemical-resistant clothing and safety footwear.

Level D is the most commonly used level of PPE – primarily used in the construction industry by tradespeople to keep themselves safe from hazards faced whilst working. Level D PPE regulations require only that coveralls along with safety shoes are worn.

There are a number of things you should check every time you use your safety workwear or other forms of PPE. Ensuring that there’s no damage to your site workwear will help keep you safe, as damaged equipment such as safety boots with holes in them will not provide the same level of protection.

As well as this, there are some legal requirements for PPE that an employer should check for, including:

• Was it purchased from a Registered Safety Supplier (RSS)?
• Is the CE logo present, along with a four-digit number for high-risk products such as respirators?
• Were clear, understandable instructions for using the equipment provided with the product?
• Is the name and address of the manufacturer included in the instructions?

If your safety workwear is damaged, you should replace it immediately, as damaged PPE will not protect you as well as site workwear in better condition. Report any damage or defects you notice to your employer immediately so they can replace the item of PPE and prevent anyone from being exposed to unnecessary danger wearing it.

While exactly what safety workwear is required when working on a construction site depends on your employer as well as the unique hazards of your work, there are four legally-required protections:

• Head protection such as a hard hat
• Foot protection such as safety shoes
• Hi-Vis clothing such as a vest 
• Body protection such as coveralls

There are currently no laws or regulations that prohibit wearing shorts when working on a construction site. However, you will need to adhere to your employer’s rules and policies around safety workwear and PPE which may not allow shorts on-site.

Yes they are, in accordance with section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers are required to provide employees with all necessary personal protective equipment such as eye protection and safety footwear.