Workplace accidents often lead to injuries, so global safety standards follow the Hierarchy of Controls as a preventive measure. It prioritizes hazard elimination above all else. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) serves as the last line of defense. When all else fails, PPE protects workers from preventable harm.
To meet strict PPE requirements, workers must rely on this gear as the final barrier against risks that cannot be removed.
This guide covers what you need to know about preventing workplace injuries, achieving legal compliance, and keeping your team safe through proper PPE selection, training, and the 4 protection levels.
What Is PPE?
Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is specialized gear designed to protect workers from workplace hazards that could cause serious injuries or illnesses.
Think chemical splashes, flying debris, harmful particles in the air, extreme temperatures, or impacts that could hurt you.
Here's the thing: according to WorkSafe New Zealand, PPE should be your backup plan, not your first choice.
Your employer should try to eliminate dangers through better equipment design or safer work procedures first (the Hierarchy of Controls). When those options aren't enough, that's when PPE comes into play.
Types of PPE
Different jobs need different protection. Here's what's available:
- Head Protection: Hard hats (AS/NZS 1801) guard against physical impact from falling objects and bumps
- Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields (AS/NZS 1337.1) keep flying debris, chemicals, and bright light away from your eyes and face
- Respiratory Protection: From simple P2 masks to full breathing apparatus (AS/NZS 1716), these filter out harmful airborne particles and contaminants
- Hand and Arm Protection: Gloves made from leather, nitrile, neoprene, or cut-resistant materials (AS/NZS 2161) protect against chemicals, cuts, and heat
- Foot and Leg Protection: Steel-toe boots and chemical-resistant footwear (AS/NZS 2210.3) prevent crushing injuries, slips, and chemical burns
- Body Protection: Lab coats, coveralls, aprons, and chemical suits shield your skin from spills, heat, and contamination
- Hearing Protection: Earplugs and earmuffs (AS/NZS 1270) reduce noise to safe levels (prolonged loud noise can permanently damage your hearing)
- Fall Protection: Harnesses and lanyards (AS/NZS 1891) keep you safe when working at heights
Legal and Regulatory PPE Requirements
The Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations (HSWR) 2016 lay out clear rules: employers (PCBUs) must assess hazards in your workplace and provide the right PPE at no cost to you.
Training is mandatory too. You need to know when to use PPE, which type to grab, how to wear it correctly, and how to take care of it.
Most PPE must meet standards set by Standards Australia/New Zealand (AS/NZS).
What Employers Must Do:
- Assess workplace hazards
- Pick the right PPE for each job (referencing AS/NZS standards)
- Provide equipment at no cost to you
- Make sure it fits properly
- Keep equipment clean and in good shape
What Employees are Responsible For:
- Using your PPE the right way
- Showing up for training sessions
- Checking equipment before each use
- Speaking up when something's damaged or broken
What Are the 4 Levels of PPE?
When dealing with hazardous materials, PPE is often classified into protection levels (internationally known as Levels A, B, C, and D):
1. Level A Protection
This is the maximum protection you can get. You'll wear a fully sealed chemical suit (gas-tight), self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical gloves, and steel-toe boots.
Level A is for situations where you're dealing with unknown or highly toxic substances that could harm your skin.
2. Level B Protection
Level B gives you top respiratory protection but slightly less skin coverage.
You'll still have a self-contained breathing apparatus and hooded chemical clothing.
This is typically the starting point for emergency responders until they know exactly what they're dealing with.
3. Level C Protection
This level works when you know what's in the air, have measured the concentrations, and skin contact is unlikely.
You'll use air-purifying respirators (not supplied air), plus chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, and boots.
4. Level D Protection
The bare minimum. This is basically your standard work uniform with coveralls, safety shoes, and safety glasses.
It only protects against minor contamination, nothing serious.
Proper Use and Maintenance of PPE
Having PPE doesn't help if you're not using it right. Always inspect your equipment before putting it on.
Look for tears, cracks, worn spots, or anything that seems off. Make sure it fits snugly but not too tight.
Putting It On and Taking It Off
Order matters, especially around contaminants. When putting on PPE, wash your hands first, then add body protection, headgear, eye protection, gloves, and finally respiratory gear.
When you're done, reverse that order: gloves off first, then eye protection, body gear, respiratory equipment, and headgear last.
Always wash your hands afterward.
Keeping It Clean and Working
Clean your equipment after every use following the manufacturer's instructions.
Store everything in a clean, dry spot away from sunlight, heat, and chemicals.
These factors can break down materials faster than normal wear and tear.
Replace PPE immediately if you spot tears, punctures, excessive wear, or if it's past its expiration date.
Broken equipment won't protect you when you need it most.
PPE in Specific Industries
Construction
Construction sites are full of hazards: things falling from above, debris flying around, electrical dangers, and fall risks.
At minimum, you'll need a hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility vest, safety boots, and protective gloves.
Specialized jobs require extra gear. Welders need face shields, electricians need flame-resistant clothing, and anyone working at heights needs fall protection harnesses.
Healthcare
Medical workers face biological threats and bloodborne pathogens daily. Standard protection includes medical gloves, face masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant gowns.
When treating patients with airborne diseases, properly fitted P2 or N95 respirators become essential.
Manufacturing
Factory floors vary widely, so PPE needs change based on what you're doing.
You might need hearing protection near loud machinery, chemical-resistant gloves when handling solvents, or heat-resistant gear near furnaces.
Machine operators typically stick with safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and machine-specific guards.
Laboratory Settings
Lab work involves chemical and biological hazards that demand careful protection.
The basics are lab coats, safety goggles, and chemical-appropriate gloves.
Working with volatile chemicals or biological agents means adding respiratory protection to your setup.
Final Thoughts
PPE requirements exist for one reason: to protect you from hazards that can't be eliminated any other way. Knowing what you need, how to use it, and how to maintain it keeps you safe on the job.
Your employer must provide the right equipment, but you've got to do your part by using it correctly. Remember, PPE is your safety net, not your primary protection.
Stay informed about what your industry requires. If your equipment doesn't fit right or seems damaged, speak up immediately. Your safety depends on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for paying for PPE?
Your employer (PCBU) must provide and pay for all required PPE. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, employers cannot charge you for equipment needed for your safety.
How often should PPE be inspected?
Check it visually before every single use. Depending on the equipment type and manufacturer recommendations, do more thorough inspections at regular intervals.
Can I use my own PPE at work?
Yes, but only if your employer agrees in advance. If you choose to use your own gear for comfort or convenience, it must meet AS/NZS standards and be approved by your employer. However, you can change your mind at any time and ask your employer to provide it instead.
What should I do if my PPE doesn't fit properly?
Tell your supervisor right away. Poorly fitting equipment doesn't protect you properly and can even create new hazards, so you need properly sized gear.
Does PPE expire?
Absolutely. Respirators, filters, and certain chemical-resistant materials break down over time, even if you never use them. Always check expiration dates.
Zarif Ahmed
An engineer and safety writer by profession, focusing on chemical management, regulatory development, and the patterns that shape workplace practice over time.