Personal protective equipment

Last updated February 2025

What is personal protective equipment?

Examples of PPE and situations in which workers require that PPE are shown in the following table:

Type of PPE	Examples	When required
Protective garments	High-visibility vests, rubber aprons, lab coats	When workers could be splashed by hazardous substances, such as chemicals. When workers are conducting work at night or near roads or traffic, or where mobile plant may be present.
Eye protection	Face shields, goggles, safety glasses, sunglasses	When there is a risk of foreign particles entering the eye. When working outdoors. When using cutting or welding equipment. When exposed to potential airborne viruses like COVID-19. When workers could be exposed to UV light.
Head protection	Hard hats, helmets	When workers are exposed to risks of falling objects. When workers are exposed to a fall risk or working in a confined space where an accidental head injury could occur.
Respiratory devices	Oxygen tanks, air-supplied respirators	When working with toxic chemicals, including paints, thinners, and insect and weed sprays. When entering a confined space.
Protective footwear	Steel-capped boots	When workers are working in a workshop or close to heavy equipment.
Face protection	Face masks	When workers are at risk of injury to their face from small particles or projectiles, e.g. when undertaking welding work.
Skin protection	Long-sleeved shirts, gloves	When workers are exposed to the risk of a hand injury, e.g. handling chemicals or using cutting tools.
Hearing protection	Earplugs, earmuffs	When workers are exposed to high noise levels (over 85 decibels), e.g. working near loud machinery