🛠️Site under construction🚧 

Choosing  the correct Personal Protection Equipment for the task.

Otherwise known as PPE.

Selecting the appropriate type of PPE depends on the specific hazards present in the workplace. It is crucial to conduct a thorough hazard assessment and choose PPE that provides adequate protection while ensuring comfort and ease of use.

Refer to our Quick Quide to common workplace PPE items and their uses:

Head Protection

Type 

Use

Hard Hats

  • Widely used in construction, industrial, and manufacturing settings.

  • Made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or similar materials.

  • Feature a suspension system inside to absorb and distribute impact forces.

        Classes of Hard Hats

  • Class G (General): Tested at 2,200 volts, commonly used for general impact protection.

  • Class E (Electrical): Tested to withstand 20,000 volts, used for electrical work.

  • Class C (Conductive): Provide no electrical protection, designed for comfort and impact protection.

Safety Helmets

  • Provide comprehensive protection and are used in specific industries such as firefighting, oil and gas, and utilities.

  • Often come with additional features like face shields, hearing protection, or communication systems.

Bump Caps

  • Designed for limited protection against minor bumps and scrapes.

  • Commonly used in maintenance or warehouse environments where the risk of head injuries from falling objects is low.

Welding Helmets

  • Protect against intense heat, sparks, and radiation during welding.

  • Feature dark-tinted visors to shield eyes and face from the bright welding arc and may include respiratory protection.

Electrically Insulating Helmets

  • Used by workers in electrical industries.

  • Made from materials that do not conduct electricity to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Key Considerations for Choosing Head Protection

  • Hazard Assessment: Identify potential hazards such as falling objects, electrical risks, or exposure to extreme temperatures.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure head protection equipment complies with relevant safety standards and regulations.

  • Comfort and Fit: Adjustable suspension systems and padding options for a customizable and comfortable fit.

  • Compatibility: Ensure head protection can be effectively combined with other required safety equipment.

Workplace Body Protection

Type 

Use

Disposable Coveralls

  • Used in environments with hazardous chemicals or biological materials, providing a barrier against contaminants

Reusable Coveralls

  • Made from durable materials for repeated use in industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining.

Chemical-Resistant Aprons

  • Provide protection against splashes and spills of hazardous chemicals.

Heat-Resistant Aprons

  • Protect against intense heat, sparks, and radiation during welding.

  • Feature dark-tinted visors to shield eyes and face from the bright welding arc and may include respiratory protection.

Hazmat Suits

  • Offer comprehensive protection against hazardous materials, including chemicals, biological agents, and radiological substances.

Fire-Resistant Suits

  • Made from flame-retardant materials, these suits are essential for firefighters and workers in environments with fire risks

High-Visibility Clothing (Reflective Vests etc)

  • Enhance visibility in low-light conditions, crucial for road construction, traffic control, and other environments where workers need to be seen clearly.

Flame-Resistant Coveralls and Jackets

  • Provide protection against flames and heat, commonly used in welding, oil and gas, and firefighting.

Antistatic Clothing

  • Prevents the buildup of static electricity, essential in electronics manufacturing and chemical processing to avoid sparks that could ignite flammable substances.

Arc Flash Clothing

  • Designed to protect electrical workers from the thermal hazards of an arc flash, which can cause severe burns and injuries.

Medical Protective Clothing
(Gowns, Aprons, Head and Show Coverings etc)

  • Used in healthcare settings to protect against infectious materials.

  • Provide additional protection against contamination in medical environments.

Workplace Footwear 

Type 

Use

Steel-Toe Boots

  • Provide protection against heavy objects and compression.

Composite-Toe Boots

  • Offer similar protection as steel-toe boots but are lighter and non-metallic.

Metatarsal Boots

  • Protect the upper foot and toe area.

Electric Hazard (EH) Footwear

  • Provide protection against electrical shocks

Slip-Resistant Shoes

  • Designed to prevent slips and falls.

Waterproof Boots

  • Protect feet in wet environments.

Insulated Boots

  • Provide warmth in cold conditions.

Chemical-Resistant Boots

  • Offer protection against hazardous chemicals.

Puncture-Resistant Boots

  • Prevent punctures from sharp objects.

Fall Protection

Type 

Use

Full-Body Harnesses

  • Distributes fall forces across the body, reducing injury.

Lanyards

  • Connect the harness to an anchor point; include shock-absorbing features.

Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

  • Automatically retract and extend; provide mobility and fall arrest.

Anchor Points

  • Secure connection points for fall protection systems.

Vertical Lifelines

  • Allow workers to move up and down while remaining secured.

Rope Grabs

  • Attached to vertical lifelines; move with the worker and lock in case of a fall.

Fall Arrest Systems

  • Combination of harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points designed to stop falls safely.

Guardrails

  • Barriers placed at edges to prevent falls.

Safety Nets

  • Installed below work areas to catch falling workers or debris.

Hand Protection

Type 

Use

Disposable Gloves

  • Made from latex, nitrile, or vinyl for single-use applications.

Cut-Resistant Gloves

  • Provide protection against sharp objects.

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

  • Protect against hazardous chemicals

Heat-Resistant Gloves

  • Protect against high temperatures.

Leather Gloves

  • Durable protection for heavy-duty tasks.

Lone Worker Device

Type 

Use

Panic Button

  • Allows workers to quickly alert emergency services or supervisors if they feel threatened or are in danger.

GPS Tracking Device

  • Helps in locating the worker in case of an emergency.

Man-Down Alarm

  • Automatically detects if the worker has fallen or is immobile for a certain period.

Two-way Communication Device

  • Allows workers to stay in contact with their team or monitoring center.

Hearing Protection

Type 

Use

Ear Plugs

  • Disposable or reusable plugs that fit into the ear canal.

Ear Muffs

  • Over-the-ear protection with adjustable headbands.

Canal Caps

  • Semi-insert earplugs held in place by a headband.

Eye and Face Protection

Type 

Use

Safety Glasses

  • Protective eyewear with impact-resistant lenses

Goggles

  • Enclose the eyes completely, providing a seal to protect against dust and splashes.

Face Shields

  • Full-face protection against chemical splashes and flying debris.

Welding Helmets

  • Provide eye and face protection from welding sparks and UV radiation.

Respiratory Protection

Type 

Use

Dust Masks

  • Basic protection against dust and non-toxic particles.

Half-Face Respirators

  • Covers the nose and mouth, used with replaceable filters.

Full-Face Respirators

  • Provides protection for the entire face, used with replaceable filters.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

  • Uses a battery-powered blower to provide clean air.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

  • Provides clean air from a tank, used in hazardous environments.

N95 Respirators

  • Filters out at least 95% of airborne particles.

Weather Protection

Type 

Use

Rain Gear

  • Waterproof jackets, pants, and boots.

Insulated Clothing

  • Jackets, gloves, and hats for cold weather.

Sun Protection

  • UV-resistant clothing, hats, and sunscreen.

Wind-Resistant Jackets

  • Protect against strong winds.

Thermal Socks

  • Keep feet warm in cold conditions.

Miscellaneous Protection

Type 

Use

High-Visibility Clothing

  • Ensures workers are seen in low-light conditions.

Back Supports

  • Helps prevent back injuries during lifting.

Knee Pads

  • Protects knees during prolonged kneeling tasks.

Cooling Vests

  • Keeps workers cool in hot environments.

First Aid Kits

  • Essential for immediate medical treatment.

Maintaining your PPE Register

Employers must ensure employees have the appropriate PPE and that it’s in good condition. Schedule regular checks to maintain compliance with New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Employers are responsible for providing PPE, while employees must wear it correctly. Failure to comply can result in fines.

Responsibility and Compliance

  • Employers: Must provide necessary PPE.

  • Employees: Required to wear and use PPE correctly.

  • Fines: Non-compliance can lead to significant fines.

If you don’t have a PPE register, contact one of our friendly OSHbox consultants for assistance.

 

This product has been added to your cart

CHECKOUT