Every construction site in Australia has to manage the same core hazards — falling objects, sharp materials, plant and vehicles, noise, dust and work at height — and PPE is the last line of defence once the higher-order controls are in place. This page is a starting point for fitting out a crew: what each item does, the Australian standard to look for, and our detailed guides for each category. Everything ships from our Sydney warehouse, and collection in Auburn is available by arrangement.
Construction PPE at a glance
| Hazard | PPE | Standard to look for | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crush, puncture, slips | Safety boots | AS 2210.3 | Construction boots |
| Plant and traffic | Hi-vis clothing | AS/NZS 4602.1 | Hi-vis shirts |
| Falling objects | Hard hats | AS/NZS 1801 | Hard hats |
| Cuts and abrasion | Gloves | AS/NZS 2161 series | Cut-resistant gloves |
| Flying particles | Safety glasses | AS/NZS 1337.1 | Safety glasses |
| Dust, including silica | Respirators | AS/NZS 1716 | P2 and P3 respirators |
| Falls from height | Harnesses and lanyards | AS/NZS 1891 | Working at heights |
| Noise | Earplugs and earmuffs | AS/NZS 1270 | Hearing protection |
Safety boots
Look for a steel or composite toe cap certified to AS 2210.3 and a sole that suits the ground — penetration-resistant midsoles where nails and screws are about. Zip-sided boots are popular because they go on and off quickly at site sheds.
- Steel Blue Argyle® Zip Sided Safety Boot 312152 — a long-standing site favourite.
- Blundstone Style 992 Lace Up Zip Side Boot — zip-up Blundstone in wheat.
- Full comparison in our safety boots for construction guide.
Hi-vis
Where plant and vehicles move, everyone on foot needs hi-vis to AS/NZS 4602.1. Day/Night (Class D/N) garments add retroreflective tape for early starts, late finishes and work near traffic.
- Bisley X Airflow™ Taped Hi Vis Ripstop Shirt BS6415T — Class D/N per Bisley, vented for summer.
- Hard Yakka Core Long Sleeve 2Tone Taped Vented Shirt Y07940 — long-sleeve sun cover with venting.
- More styles, including polos and women’s fits, in our hi-vis workwear guide.
Hard hats
Hard hats must be certified to AS/NZS 1801. Under that standard Type 1 is for general industrial use and Type 2 for high-temperature work. Vented hats are cooler in summer; non-vented shells are used where electrical or chemical hazards rule vents out.
- MSA V-Gard 500 Hard Hat, Vented, Fas-Trac III 6pt Suspension 229719V — vented with Fas-Trac III ratchet.
- ProChoice V9 Hard Hat Vented Ratchet Harness HHV9R — nine vents for the hottest days.
- ProChoice Viper Hard Hat Earmuffs Class 5, 26DB HHEM — Class 5 earmuffs that clip onto the hat.
Gloves
- Driver Rigger Glove Cow Grain AS202D (Pack of 12) — general handling of timber, steel and formwork.
- Maxisafe G-Force Hi Vis Synthetic Rigger Gloves (Pair) — synthetic rigger glove in hi-vis.
- NXG™ Black Dog Cut D P-8175 — Cut D for sheet metal, glass and blades.
Cut resistance is graded A to F under AS/NZS 2161.3; see the cut glove guide for how to pick a rating.
Eye and hearing protection
- ProChoice Fusion Safety Glasses Clear Lens 9200 (Pack of 12) — clear safety glasses in boxes of 12 for whole crews.
- uvex pheos Safety Glasses Clear 9192-305 — wraparound lens for grinding and cutting dust.
- 3M™ E-A-Rsoft™ FX™ Corded Earplugs, Poly Bag, 312-1260, 26dB (Class 5) (Box of 200 Pairs) — corded foam earplugs for crews.
- 3M™ PELTOR™ X5 Headband Earmuffs, 35dB Class 5 — high attenuation for jackhammers and saws.
Hearing protectors are classed 1 to 5 under AS/NZS 1270; choose the class to suit the measured noise level rather than always reaching for the highest.
Respiratory protection
Cutting, grinding and drilling concrete, brick, tile and stone releases respirable crystalline silica. A P2 respirator to AS/NZS 1716 is the usual minimum for construction dust, worn clean-shaven and fit-tested. Higher-exposure tasks need P3 with a full-face or powered air respirator.
- 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9320A+ P2 (Pack of 20) — flat-fold P2.
- All options compared in our P2 and P3 respirator guide.
Fall protection
Construction work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres is high-risk construction work and needs a SWMS. For roofers, a complete kit is the simplest start: the MSA Roof Workers Kit with V-FORM Harness, Kernmantle Rope includes harness, lanyard and storage bag. Harness options are in our roofing harness guide, and lanyards, SRLs and anchors in working at heights equipment.
Sun protection and first aid
Outdoor crews need sun protection as standard: ProChoice Probloc SPF 50+ Sunscreen, brim hats and neck shades from our sun safety range. Every site also needs a stocked first aid kit — for example the Workplace First Aid Kit - Portable WP1 (Hard Case). Read our first aid kit requirements guide.
Running a site audit? Use our free PPE compliance checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What PPE is required on a construction site in Australia?
It depends on the hazards identified in your risk assessment, but most sites require safety boots (AS 2210.3), hi-vis (AS/NZS 4602.1), a hard hat (AS/NZS 1801), gloves, safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) and hearing protection, plus a P2 respirator for dusty work and fall protection for work at height.
What respirator do I need for silica dust on site?
A P2 respirator to AS/NZS 1716 is the usual minimum for construction dust, fitted to a clean-shaven face. For higher exposures, use a P3 filter with a full-face or powered air respirator.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 hard hats?
Under AS/NZS 1801, Type 1 hard hats are for general industrial use and Type 2 hard hats are for high-temperature work.
Do you offer bulk pricing for construction companies?
Yes — contact us for trade pricing and account options. We dispatch fast from our Sydney warehouse, and you can collect from Auburn NSW by arrangement (call first).
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.