what ppe should be worn on a building site

When working on a building site, there are a number of risks you need to take into consideration. Most builders working on site are at risk of injury from falling debris, heavy machinery and working at height.

In order to minimise the risks, builders are required to wear certain personal protective equipment (PPE) on-site to keep them safe. Today we’re going to take a look at the different types of PPE that should be worn on a building site.

Head Protection

One of the most vital pieces of PPE that should be worn on building sites is protective headgear. The site manager should have already put precautions in place to minimise the risk of falling equipment and debris, but accidents still happen. A good-quality hard hat like our Portwest Endurance Safety Helmet can be work to protect your head on site. This hard hat features a suspension harness, adjustable headband and a generous rim to protect your eyes from the sun.

portwest endurance safety helmet

Portwest Endurance Safety Helmet >

Hi-Vis Clothing

A key part of safety precautions on building sites is making sure that everyone’s visible. Building sites are often vast, and with heavy machinery and vehicles moving around, it’s vital that you can be spotted from a far away. That’s where hi-vis clothing comes in. Most construction sites have their own hi-vis policy, and it’s important that all employees including contractors and sub-contractors comply.

Here at Class Workwear, we offer an extensive range of comfortable hi-vis clothing that you can wear at work. Whether you want a traditional hi-vis vest, a warm hi-vis jacket, or a comfortable hi-vis hoodie, we have something that will suit you and keep you safe on-site. All of our hi-vis products can be customised with a logo of your choosing (see specific products for more details).

hi vis clothing

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Protective Footwear

Another essential part of building site PPE is footwear. Again, falling objects, moving vehicles and heavy machinery can all lead to serious injuries, that’s why it’s important that everyone on-site wears some kind of protective footwear.

It’s important that you check the regulations on the building site you’re working on. Most building sites require staff to wear steel toe-capped boots to protect the toes and feet. As with all the PPE that you’ll be wearing, it’s important that your protective footwear is comfortable. After all, you might be on site for 8-12 hours each day.

dickies medway boot

We offer a great range of protective footwear that can be worn on building sites. If you’re wanting a pair of protective boots that offer both comfort and protection, we’d highly recommend these Dickies Medway Boots. They feature:

  • Steel toe-cap
  • Steel anti-penetration underfoot protection
  • Padded collar and tongue
  • Energy absorbing sole
  • Waterproof membrane

Not only are these boots ideal for use on building site, but they’re also a popular choice for hikers and climbers because they’re comfortable on uneven ground. Not sure these are the right boots for you, check out our other protective footwear.

Protective Footwear >

Suitable Clothing

The clothing that you wear on a building site should be both suitable and protective. Rules around protective clothing vary depending on the time of year, temperature and working environment. If you’re working on the ground, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to wear long trousers to protect your lower leg from cuts and grazes. Similarly, if you’re working during summer or winter, it’s important you wear clothing that will regulate your temperature.

All of the protective clothing you see on Class Workwear can be customised to suit you. Whether you want to add your initials or your company logo, we can accommodate you. All of our protective clothing is high-quality and designed to be worn in challenging environments like building sites.

If you have any questions about the PPE mentioned, or if you’d like to discuss workwear customisation, give us a call on 020 3730 6663. We look forward to hearing from you!