Head to Toe PPE for Construction Site Safety

Keeping workers safe at a construction site is of the utmost importance. One crucial part of safety is having the proper personal protective equipment, or PPE, for your construction workers. Depending on the job, there may be different types of PPE needed. Use these guidelines and OSHA’s PPE requirements for construction employees to keep your crew safe from head to toe.

What Is PPE?

Personal protective equipment (more commonly known as PPE) includes any kind of gear worn by workers to minimize exposure of the face and head, arms and hands, legs and feet to different hazards. Not just limited to masks and hazmat suits, other types of PPE include gloves, safety shoes, goggles, earplugs and earmuffs, respirators, vests, and coveralls.

In the construction industry, employers must pay for required PPE except safety toe footwear and prescription safety glasses. Employers are also responsible for ensuring PPE is worn, fits properly, and is in good condition, even if it’s footwear and eye protection provided by the employee.

Beyond providing PPE for a construction site, employers are responsible for:

Performing a hazard assessment of the worksite to identify and control health hazards, such as those from impact, penetration, compression, chemicals, heat and cold, harmful dust, radiation, and biologic sources
Training employees in the proper use and care of PPE
Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of their PPE program

Construction employees also have responsibilities, including:

Properly using and wearing PPE
Knowing when to wear PPE and what kind is necessary
Attending PPE training
Caring for, cleaning, and maintaining PPE
Informing supervisors of PPE that needs repair or replacement
Understanding the injury limits of PPE

PPE from Head to Toe

Starting at the literal top with your head, here are the seven most common types of personal protective equipment.

1. Head protection: Helmets and hard hats protect the wearer from flying or falling objects as well as electrical shocks or burns. Class E (for electricity) hard hats are designed to reduce exposure to high voltages, while Class G (general) can only protect against low voltages.

A class E full brim hard hat is non-vented and its polyethylene shell protects against vertical impacts and high voltages. Its brim goes around the entire helmet, protecting the wearer from sun, reducing glare, and shedding rain.
A class C climbing hard hat is made of impact-resistant ABS plastic and allows construction employees to work at whatever height is required. It is well-vented, protects against bumps and falls, and features a chinstrap that keeps the hard hat in place if a fall or impact occurs.
A class E front brim hard hat is constructed of HDPE plastic and has a brim only in front, but otherwise offers the same electrical protection as a class E full brim hard hat.
A class G front brim hard hat is made of a phenolic resin and offers general impact protection.

2. Hearing protection: When noise levels or duration of exposure to noise cannot be reduced, ear protection must be used.

Disposable corded ear plugs are made of foam and meant for one-time use. The cord lets them hang around the neck when not in use.
Disposable uncorded ear plugs are similar in style and noise reduction to corded ear plugs but lack a cord.
Banded ear plugs are reusable and work well for going between environments with different noise levels. The polypropylene band can be worn around the neck, over the head, or under the chin, and many have replaceable foam ear tips.
Ear muffs are worn over the ear and use sound dampening materials inside the ear cups to muffle outside noise. Larger ear cups can block out louder noises.

For more on hearing protection, check out our Resource Hub article, How to Choose the Right Hearing Protection Equipment.

3. Eye protection: Depending on the need, these items protect employees from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids and caustic liquids, chemical gases and vapors, and dangerous radiation. Eye protection must have side protection if there is a danger of flying objects.

Tinted wraparound safety glasses have scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses that give basic protection against flying objects, dust, splinters, and other small objects that could harm eyes. Tinting reduces glare in sunlight or brightly lit areas.
Nonabrasive cleaning tissues remove dirt and debris from safety glasses, necessary where vision quality is important.
Clear wraparound safety glasses use uncoated polycarbonate lenses that wrap around the sides of the face, preventing tiny particles from getting into eyes from the side.
Anti-fog safety goggles completely cover the eyes with an impact-resistant polycarbonate lens. Because they fit tightly against the face, they prevent any particles from getting inside. Vent holes allow for air flow and prevent fogging.

Check out 7 Tasks You Shouldn’t Attempt Without Safety Glasses for more on choosing eye protection.

4. Masks and Respiratory Protection: Workers must wear respiratory protection if they will encounter harmful dust, fogs, fumes, gases, smokes, sprays, mists, or vapors.

N95 disposable respirators are for general use in environments with an elevated risk of airborne particles. An exhalation valve allows the wearer to quickly breathe out, cooling the mask quicker and making the user more comfortable. The valve closes as the user inhales, blocking out particulates in the air. N95 masks filter at least 95% of airborne particles.
Full-face reusable respirators filter the air and protect the eyes and face from gases, vapors, and other particles. Filters and cartridges can be replaced when they become dirty.
Disposable fold-flat respirators store easily nearly anywhere for quick access. These can also have N95 ratings.
Half-mask respirators are like full-face respirators but only have respiratory protection, lacking face and eye protection. They also have replaceable cartridges and filters.
Powered air-purifying respirators use a battery-powered blower to filter ambient air through a HEPA filter into the facepiece. They tend to be more comfortable and can be worn longer than other masks and respirators.

Other Resource Hub articles about masks and respiratory protection include:

5. Hand protection: Employers should work to eliminate hazards, using PPE for additional protection of arms and hands from caustic chemicals, thermal burns, electrical shocks and burns, bruises, abrasions, cuts, and punctures.

Cut-resistant foam-nitrile gloves have a dipped palm for a grippy surface, necessary for handling light raw materials. The foam nitrile coating on the palm is flexible, less resistant to oil and water than smooth nitrile, and protects hands from abrasions, while the uncoated backside is breathable.
Leather gloves are for general use, a blend of flexibility and light protection from cuts and abrasions, heat, and sparks.
Heat-resistant nitrile gloves have a grippy palm, provide thermal protection, and stand up to prolonged exposure to oils, grease, acids, and caustic chemicals. They are designed to withstand hot temperatures.
Mechanics gloves are form-fitting general-purpose gloves that offer some protection against cuts and abrasions. They are designed for lighter-duty projects where dexterity is important.

6. Foot and leg protection: This gear can prevent foot and leg injuries caused by falling, rolling, crushing, or penetrating objects.

Steel-toe boots look like typical work boots but a hidden reinforced steel toe protects toes from falling or rolling objects.
Steel-toe shoes appear to be everyday shoes, but also have a protective reinforced metal toe.
Steel-toe rubber boots have a protective metal toe, but also have a chemical-resistant PVC upper that is lighter than rubber.
Over-the-sock boots are tall knee-high boots that protect the foot, lower leg, and calf. Some have a PVC upper that resists chemicals.

7. Fall Protection

Falls pose a serious safety hazard at any construction site and are one of the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and death. At all workplaces and jobsites, employees need to use PPE such as harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines that mitigate the risk of falls.

Contacting OSHA

If you have questions about OSHA’s PPE requirements for construction sites, or other workplace safety questions, here’s how to get in touch:

Online: osha.gov
Local office: osha.gov/contactus/bystate
Phone: 800-321-6742 (OSHA) for emergencies, to report unsafe working conditions and violations, to file a complaint, or ask safety and health questions

Employee safety should be top-of-mind for any construction company. Having the right PPE for construction workers that fits properly, is well-maintained, and meets the needs of the situation is not just a no-brainer, it’s required. Zoro.com will help you keep your employees as safe as possible with the PPE necessary for every construction job.

Sources: OSHA: Personal Protective Equipment--Construction| OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Publication | OSHA Fact Sheet | OSHA Fall Protection

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.