Mine sites put more hazards in one place than almost any other workplace: dust and silica, gas, heavy plant, noise, heat, darkness underground, and in many operations a flash-fire or electrical risk. This page covers the PPE and safety equipment we supply for open-cut and underground mining, quarries and processing plants. Your site’s principal hazard management plans and PPE matrix set the exact requirements — use this as a guide to what’s available, and check the standard marked on each product page.
Gas detection
Personal gas monitors warn workers of oxygen deficiency, flammable gas and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. Underground coal needs instruments approved for that environment.
- MSA ALTAIR 4XR Multigas Detector, Mines Registered, CH4, O2, CO, H2S 10204302 — mines-registered four-gas monitor for CH4, O2, CO and H2S.
- MSA ALTAIR 4XR Multigas Detector, LEL, O2, CO, H2S 10178585 — four-gas monitor for LEL, O2, CO and H2S.
- MSA ALTAIR 5X Multigas Detector, LEL, O2, CO, H2S, NO2 10119666 — measures up to six gases, with an optional PID sensor for VOCs.
- MSA ALTAIR 2X Single Gas Detector, CO 10153986 — single-gas CO monitor.
- Keep monitors calibrated and bump-tested: MSA ALTAIR calibration gas and the MSA GALAXY GX2 automated test stand.
Lighting for underground and hazardous areas
- Maxisafe - Cordless Cap Lamp — 6.8 Ah lithium-ion, 13,000 lux, IP68, mounts to a hard hat.
- Maxisafe - Nightstick IS USB Dual-Light Headlamp (Zone 0) — intrinsically safe for Zone 0 hazardous areas.
- Cap-lamp helmets: Sureguard Tuffgard Miners Cap Vented Helmets - Metal Lamp Bracket TG56MLV (Box of 20) and the Maxisafe Tuffgard vented hard hat with metal lamp bracket.
Hi-vis, FR and anti-static clothing
Most mine sites require Day/Night (Class D/N) hi-vis. Where there’s a flash-fire or arc risk, the hi-vis must also be flame resistant with FR reflective tape, and in hazardous areas anti-static garments help prevent static discharge.
- Bisley Tencate Tecasafe® Plus 700 Taped Hi Vis FR Vented Shirt BS8082T — inherent FR Day/Night shirt with radio and gas-monitor loops.
- KingGee Shieldtec FR Hi Vis Closed Front Taped Shirt Y04150 — HRC/PPE 2, minimum 8.4 cal per KingGee, anti-static fibre.
- Syzmik Men's Rugged Cooling HI Vis Taped Long Sleeve Shirt ZW129 — vented cooling shirt with 3M breathable reflective tape for non-FR sites.
- KingGee Anti Static Jacket K55035 and the Portwest Antistatic Reversible Vest MA230 for cold and wet shifts.
Our FR clothing guide explains welding, flash-fire and arc ratings in detail.
Safety boots and metatarsal protection
Mining boots need a certified toe cap (AS/NZS 2210.3), a sole that grips on wet rock and mud, and often metatarsal protection against dropped loads. The Maxisafe - Polycarbonate Metatarsal Guard adds metatarsal protection to existing boots. See our mining safety boot guide for Steel Blue metguard and anti-static options.
Respiratory protection
Respirable crystalline silica and coal dust are the main respiratory hazards on mine sites. P2 respirators to AS/NZS 1716 are the usual minimum for dust; higher exposures need P3 filters with a full-face or powered air respirator. The 3M™ Versaflo™ TR300+ PAPR Kit with M-307 Headtop & M-940 Cap Lamp Bracket (Kit) pairs a P3 powered air system with a cap-lamp bracket. Compare disposables, half-face and PAPR options in our P2 and P3 respirator guide, and track exposure with the Maxisafe - Dustlight - Personal Dust Monitor, which reads PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 in real time.
Hearing protection and communication
Crushers, drills and heavy plant often need Class 5 protection under AS/NZS 1270.
- 3M™ PELTOR™ X5 Premium Headband Earmuffs, 35dB Class 5 — high attenuation for crusher and plant noise.
- 3M™ PELTOR™ X5 Helmet Mounted Earmuffs, 31dB (Class 5), X5P3GS/E — clips to a hard hat.
- 3M™ PELTOR™ CH-3 FLX2 Headset with PTT Hard Hat Attached Format Earmuff, 29dB (Class 5) MT74H52P3E-111 (Each) — push-to-talk radio headset for hard hats.
- Maxisafe - Bone Conductive Radio Connection Headset — bone-conduction headset for two-way radios in high noise.
See our hearing protection guide for choosing a class.
Fall protection
Miners’ harnesses carry the cap-lamp battery and self-rescuer on an integral belt. The 3M™ DBI-SALA® Delta™ Yellow Miners Harness 823-0035 has a rear stand-up D-ring, front fall-arrest D-ring and suspension trauma straps; the MSA Gravity Miners Harness 1015870 uses stainless steel hardware for harsh conditions. For lanyards, SRLs and anchors, see working at heights equipment.
Heat stress
Open-cut pits and processing plants regularly exceed 40 °C. Give crews shade, scheduled breaks and water, and add cooling and electrolyte replacement:
- Thorzt Evaporative Cooling Slip-Over Vest CSOV (Each) — evaporative cooling vest worn over a shirt.
- Thorzt Cooling Ranger Hat CRHK (Each) — cooling hat for outdoor work.
- eniQ Electrolyte Industrial - Various Flavours (Pack of 24) — electrolyte drink formulated for industrial workforces.
Emergency eyewash
Where there’s chemical exposure and no plumbed water, the Maxisafe - Portable Eye Wash Station 60 ltr provides a self-contained eyewash.
Browse the full mining safety equipment range.
Frequently asked questions
What PPE do mine workers need?
It depends on the site’s hazard management plans, but most mines require Day/Night hi-vis, safety boots to AS/NZS 2210.3, a hard hat, safety glasses, Class 5 hearing protection in high-noise areas, a P2 or P3 respirator for dust, and gloves. Many sites add FR clothing, gas monitors and cap lamps.
Do you stock silica-rated P3 respirators for mines?
Yes — P3 filters with full-face respirators and powered air (PAPR) systems. Under AS/NZS 1715, a P3 disposable or half-face mask is only credited with P2 protection.
Which gas detector suits underground coal?
Underground coal needs an instrument approved for that environment. We stock the MSA ALTAIR 4XR mines-registered model for CH4, O2, CO and H2S. Check your site’s requirements before ordering.
Can you deliver to mine sites in WA, QLD or NSW?
Yes — we deliver Australia-wide from our Sydney warehouse with fast dispatch, and supply trade pricing and account terms for mine-site orders.
Kitting out a crew? Trade pricing and account terms are available — contact us or call 0457 545 175. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $200; collection from our Auburn NSW warehouse by arrangement (call first), 7:30am–3:30pm Mon–Fri.