PPE Guide for Tradespeople: What's Required for Each Job Type

Summary

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended by the 2022 Regulations) require employers to provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be eliminated or controlled by other means. This covers employees and, importantly since the 2022 amendment, workers (including self-employed persons working for a principal contractor). Self-employed persons working alone on their own undertaking must still assess and provide their own PPE.

The hierarchy of control under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places PPE at the bottom — it should only be relied on after all practicable engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted. Providing a hard hat does not mean you have discharged your duty if the real fix was to clear the overhead hazard. In practice, PPE is nearly always required in construction as a complement to other controls, not as the sole measure.

All PPE used in the UK must carry a CE mark (for goods placed on the market before 1 January 2025) or a UKCA mark (for goods certified under UK conformity assessment post-Brexit). Some PPE remains dual-marked CE/UKCA during the transition period. Buying PPE from unrecognised sources or without appropriate markings is a common enforcement failure and creates significant liability in the event of an accident.

Key Facts

• PPE at Work Regulations 2022 — extended Reg 1992 to include "workers" (not just employees); came into force 6 April 2022
• UKCA mark — required for PPE placed on UK market from 1 January 2023 (transition from CE); both marks remain valid on existing stock
• PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 — classifies PPE in three categories by risk level (I = low, II = medium, III = life-threatening)
• Category III PPE — includes respiratory protection, fall arrest equipment, and hearing protection above 85dB; requires EC-type examination and annual audit of production
• Hard hat standard — EN 397 (industrial safety helmets) or EN 812 (bump caps for low overhead hazards only, NOT falling objects)
• Safety footwear standard — EN ISO 20345 (safety footwear with 200J toecap); S1P = anti-static + penetration resistance; S3 = S1P + waterproof upper
• Hi-vis standard — EN ISO 20471; Class 1 (low risk), Class 2 (medium risk, e.g. roadside), Class 3 (high risk, e.g. motorway works)
• Eye protection — EN 166 (personal eye protection); rated by mechanical hazard level (B = medium energy, F = high energy)
• Dust masks — FFP1 (minimal dust), FFP2 (most nuisance dusts), FFP3 (silica, asbestos, mould spores); EN 149
• Hearing protection — EN 352; SNR value indicates noise reduction; mandatory when exposure exceeds 85dB(A) action level per Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
• Gloves — EN 420 (general requirements); EN 388 (mechanical risk with cut, abrasion, puncture ratings); EN 511 (cold); EN 407 (heat/flame)
• Fall arrest harness — EN 361; must be used with an EN 360 retractable block or EN 355 energy absorber; not a substitute for collective protection
• RPE fit testing — required for tight-fitting facepieces (half-mask, full-face, FFP3 valved); must be re-tested when weight changes significantly or when face shape changes
• Inspection of fall arrest equipment — minimum pre-use check by user; formal inspection at least every 6 months by competent person; after any fall event, remove from service
• Disposable vs reusable RPE — disposable FFP3 respirators (single-use) are acceptable; reusable half-masks with P3 filters may be more cost-effective for regular silica exposure

Quick Reference Table

Detailed Guidance

Head Protection

Hard hats must comply with EN 397. They must be replaced after any significant impact, even if no visible damage is present — the shell may be compromised internally. Hard hat lifespans are typically 3–5 years from date of first use, or as marked by the manufacturer. UV exposure degrades the polyethylene shell; hats left in vehicle back windows degrade faster.

Bump caps (EN 812) are suitable only for low-overhead confined spaces where there is no risk of falling objects. They provide no protection against falling objects and must never be used on open construction sites.

Hard hats must fit correctly. Suspension harnesses must be adjusted so the hat sits level on the head, approximately 2 finger-widths above the eyebrows. Wearing a hard hat backwards (fashionable on some sites) may void its EN 397 certification unless it is specifically designed and rated for reverse wear.

Respiratory Protective Equipment

The selection of correct RPE is critical and frequently gets wrong. The hierarchy for respiratory hazards is:

1. Eliminate the hazard (use a product that doesn't generate harmful dust)
2. Substitute (wet cutting instead of dry)
3. Local exhaust ventilation (on-tool extraction, e.g., dustless grinders)
4. RPE as final layer

Mask ratings explained:

FFP1 — Minimum efficiency 80% — nuisance dusts only
FFP2 — Minimum efficiency 94% — wood dust, mould, general construction dust
FFP3 — Minimum efficiency 99% — silica, asbestos (limited use), fine metal fume

Silica dust from cutting concrete, block, brick, and stone requires FFP3 as a minimum at the point of cutting. The Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) — this is one of the most stringent WELs in the HSE EH40 document.

Valved FFP3 masks provide easier breathing but are NOT suitable where the wearer poses a risk to others (e.g., COVID precautions). Unvalved FFP3 provides both inward and outward filtration.

Fit testing is mandatory for tight-fitting facepieces. Qualitative fit testing (bitter spray) is acceptable for half-masks; quantitative testing is required for full-face masks. A beard prevents an adequate face seal — wearers with beards must use positive-pressure powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) instead.

Hearing Protection

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set two action levels:

• Lower Action Value (LAV): 80 dB(A) daily exposure — employer must provide hearing protection on request and carry out noise risk assessments
• Upper Action Value (UAV): 85 dB(A) daily exposure — hearing protection is mandatory; mandatory hearing protection zones must be established

Common trade noise levels (approximate):

• Angle grinder: 100–115 dB(A) at operator's ear
• SDS rotary hammer: 95–105 dB(A)
• Circular saw: 90–100 dB(A)
• Nail gun: 100–110 dB(A) peak
• General site background: 80–85 dB(A)

The SNR (Single Number Rating) on hearing protection indicates the approximate dB reduction. To select appropriate hearing protection: take the noise level, subtract the SNR, and the result should be below 80 dB(A). For an angle grinder at 110 dB(A), an SNR of 30+ is required. EN 352-1 (earmuffs) or EN 352-2 (earplugs) rated products should be selected.

Safety Footwear

EN ISO 20345 defines safety footwear ratings:

For most UK construction sites, S1P is the minimum; S3 is recommended for groundworks, roofing, and external works where wet conditions and nail penetration risk are present. Composite toecaps are lighter than steel and do not conduct temperature — preferable for roofers and those in hot environments.

Eye Protection

Eye injuries are disproportionately common in the construction industry. The EN 166 standard covers general personal eye protection. Key classifications:

• Mechanical hazard rating: 1 (coarse particles), B (medium energy), F (high energy), A (low energy high speed)
• Chemical splash: 3 (liquid droplets and splashes)
• UV protection: 2C (solar radiation)

For angle grinding: EN 166 rated F (high energy) face shield or goggles are required — safety spectacles alone are not adequate as fragments can enter from the side. For drilling overhead: goggles with indirect ventilation to prevent dust ingress. For chemical mixing (epoxy, adhesives): chemical splash goggles with indirect ventilation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the employer have to provide PPE to self-employed workers?

Since the PPE at Work Regulations 2022 amendment (effective 6 April 2022), employers must provide suitable PPE to "workers" — a broader category that includes some self-employed persons who work under the direction and control of an employer. A self-employed person running their own business and working on their own account must provide their own PPE. The key test is the degree of control and integration.

Can I share PPE between workers?

Generally not recommended for hygiene reasons, and specifically not permitted for items that need to be fitted to an individual (e.g., RPE, fall arrest harnesses). Site-issued hard hats should be dedicated to individuals where practicable. If shared, hard hats must be inspected before each use and the suspension adjusted to fit.

How long does PPE last?

Manufacturers specify service life. Key lifespans:

• Hard hats: typically 3–5 years from first use, regardless of condition
• Fall arrest harnesses: typically 10 years from manufacture date (check label), retire immediately after a fall
• Rubber gloves: inspect before each use; replace at first sign of deterioration
• FFP3 masks: single-use (disposable) or per manufacturer's reuse guidance for valved types

Is a face covering a substitute for RPE?

No. Cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and similar items provide no meaningful protection against construction dusts or fumes. Only CE/UKCA marked respiratory protection tested to EN 149 (filtering facepieces) or equivalent standards provides adequate protection.

What if a worker refuses to wear PPE?

Employers have a duty to enforce PPE use under PPE at Work Regulations Reg 10. Workers have a duty to use PPE properly under Reg 14. Persistent refusal is a disciplinary matter. Documenting training, provision, and enforcement is essential — if a worker is injured while not using provided PPE, the employer's liability may be reduced but not eliminated if enforcement was inadequate.

Regulations & Standards

• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 (amending 1992 Regulations) — extends duty to provide PPE to "workers" not just employees

• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1643) — 80/85 dB(A) action levels, mandatory hearing protection zones

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) — risk assessment for hazardous substances including dust; drives RPE selection

• EN ISO 20345:2011 — safety footwear standard; toecap energy ratings

• EN 149:2001+A1:2009 — filtering facepieces (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3)

• EN 397:2012+A1:2012 — industrial safety helmets

• EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 — high-visibility warning clothing classification

• HSE: Personal Protective Equipment — principal HSE PPE guidance

• HSE EH40: Workplace Exposure Limits — WEL values for silica, wood dust, and other construction hazards

• HSE: Noise at Work — action levels, hearing protection requirements

• HSE: Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work (HSG53) — RPE selection and fit testing guidance

• BSI: PPE standards — EN standards for PPE categories

• working at height — fall arrest harness selection and inspection

• dust control — LEV, on-tool extraction, silica WEL

• asbestos — asbestos awareness and PPE requirements for disturbance