PPE

PPE in Australia: A Complete Guide for Workplaces

What PPE in Australia covers, who provides it, the standards on product labels and how to choose, fit and replace each type for your team in Australia.

By the Star Safety Supplies team Updated 12 min read

Hi-vis polo, workwear, safety boots and work gloves on a display rack

Key points

  • PPE is anything a worker wears or uses to reduce a health and safety risk, from gloves and earplugs to harnesses and hi-vis.
  • PPE is the last control in the hierarchy of controls and backs up higher controls, it does not replace them.
  • Under the WHS laws the business decides what PPE is needed and provides it with training, and workers use it as instructed.
  • Choose PPE by the hazard, check the standard on the product listing, make sure it fits and replace it when damaged.

This guide covers the main types of PPE in Australia, the standards that appear on product listings, and the duties that apply to businesses and workers. It is written for supervisors, safety officers and small business owners who need a clear overview before they buy.

The information here is general. Check the requirements that apply to your workplace and follow the manufacturer instructions and the standard the product is listed against.

What is PPE, and what is not?

Personal protective equipment is any item a worker wears or uses to minimise a risk to their health or safety. Common examples include gloves, safety glasses, earplugs, respirators, hard hats, safety boots, high visibility vests and fall arrest harnesses. The definition also covers items like sunscreen and wide brim hats when they are supplied for sun protection. PPE in Australia is defined by the risk it controls, not by the item alone.

Items that are not PPE include everyday clothing such as ordinary shirts, shorts or street shoes, even if a workplace requires them. Machine guards, barriers, ventilation systems and warning signs are engineering or administrative controls, not PPE. A uniform supplied only for branding is not PPE unless it also carries a protective rating such as high visibility or flame resistance.

Where does PPE sit in the hierarchy of controls?

The hierarchy of controls ranks risk controls from most to least effective. PPE is the sixth and last control, the last line of defence. It is used when higher controls cannot fully remove the risk, or as a backup while other controls are being put in place.

Order Control What it looks like
1 Eliminate the hazard Remove the hazard, for example do a task at ground level instead of at height
2 Substitute Replace it with something less hazardous, for example a less harmful chemical
3 Isolate Separate people from the hazard, for example a barrier or a locked enclosure
4 Engineering controls Change the plant or process, for example a machine guard or local exhaust ventilation
5 Administrative controls Procedures, training, signs and rosters that reduce exposure
6 PPE Equipment the worker wears, used with the controls above

PPE protects only the person wearing it, and only while it is worn and fits, which is why the higher controls come first.

Who provides PPE and who has to use it?

Most Australian states and territories follow the model Work Health and Safety laws developed by Safe Work Australia. Victoria operates under its own Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and regulations. Under these frameworks the business, called a PCBU under the WHS laws or the employer in Victoria, must manage risks. Where PPE is used to control a risk, the business generally has to provide it to workers, make sure it is suitable, fits, is maintained and that workers are trained to use it. Workers have to use the PPE they are given as instructed, not misuse or damage it, and report damage or defects. Safe Work Australia notes that a worker does not pay for their PPE.

Which types of PPE and standards should you know?

Product listings show the standard each product is listed against. Look for the standard number on the listing and match it to the hazard you are controlling.

PPE type Typical hazards Standards to look for on the listing
Gloves Cuts, abrasion, punctures, chemicals EN 388, AS/NZS 2161.2, AS/NZS 2161.3
Eye and face protection Flying particles, splashes, glare AS/NZS 1337.1, EN 166
Hearing protection Hazardous noise AS/NZS 1270
Respiratory protection Dust, fumes, mists, vapours AS/NZS 1716
Hard hats Falling objects, bumps AS/NZS 1801
Safety footwear Crushing, punctures, slips AS/NZS 2210.3, EN ISO 20345
High visibility clothing Being unseen near traffic and plant AS/NZS 4602.1, EN ISO 20471
Fall arrest equipment Falls from height AS/NZS 1891.1, AS/NZS 1891.3, AS/NZS 1891.5

How do you choose hand protection?

Gloves are matched to the mechanical or chemical hazard. For cuts, abrasion, tears and punctures, look for products marked as tested to EN 388 or AS/NZS 2161.3. For chemical risks, check the manufacturer's chemical resistance information for the substances you use. General requirements are covered by AS/NZS 2161.2 and EN 420. The markings on the glove or packaging show the performance levels for each test. Fit matters: gloves that are too loose catch on machinery, gloves that are too tight restrict movement and cause fatigue. Inspect gloves before each use and replace them when the coating is worn through, seams split, or chemical breakthrough is suspected. An example from our range is the Steel Drill Stealth Ronin Gloves Nitrile Palm Black among 395 hand protection products from brands such as PIP ANZ, Maxisafe, Portwest and Vision Safe. Store gloves in a dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent premature degradation.

How do you choose eye and face protection?

Safety glasses protect against low energy impact and glare. Goggles seal against the face for splash and dust protection. Face shields cover the whole face for higher energy impact or chemical splash, and are worn over primary eye protection. Look for products listed against AS/NZS 1337.1 for occupational applications or EN 166 for European rated protectors. For outdoor glare, look for sunglasses listed against AS/NZS 1067, the sun glare filtering standard. Choose the lens tint for the light conditions: clear for indoor, smoke or polarised for outdoor, amber for low light. Clean lenses with a microfibre cloth and replace scratched or cracked items immediately. We carry 392 eye and face protection products from Vision Safe, PIP ANZ, Maxisafe and Portwest. Keep a spare pair at the workstation so work does not stop when a lens is damaged.

How do you choose hearing protection?

Earplugs insert into the ear canal, earmuffs cover the outer ear. Both reduce the noise reaching the eardrum. Products listed against AS/NZS 1270 carry a class, and a higher class means more attenuation. Select the class based on the noise level measured at the worker's ear. Fit is critical: roll foam plugs before inserting, pull the ear up and back, hold until expanded. For earmuffs, ensure the headband tension seals the cups without gaps. Hair, glasses frames and jewellery can break the seal. Clean reusable plugs and earmuff cushions regularly, replace when the foam hardens or the band loses tension. We offer 179 hearing protection products from PIP ANZ, Maxisafe, ATS Global and Portwest.

How do you choose respiratory protection?

Disposable respirators (filtering facepieces) suit lower concentrations of dust, mist or fume. Reusable half or full face masks accept replaceable filters for particulates, gases, vapours or combinations. Look for products listed against AS/NZS 1716. Tight fitting facepieces should be fit tested. A user seal check is done every time the mask is donned. Facial hair that crosses the seal line prevents a proper fit. Store masks in a clean container away from contaminants, replace filters when breathing resistance increases or the expiry date passes. We stock 383 respiratory products from Maxisafe, PIP ANZ, Portwest and Steel Drill, including the Maxisafe General Purpose P3 Half Mask Respirator Kit R7500GK.

What head and sun protection does a site need?

Hard hats protect against falling objects and bumps to the head. Look for products listed against AS/NZS 1801. Bump caps are for low head clearance areas where falling objects are not a risk. They are not hard hats. For sun protection, wide brim hats, legionnaire flaps and UPF rated clothing reduce UV exposure. Sun protective clothing is rated under AS/NZS 4399. Inspect hard hats for cracks, brittleness or faded shells, and replace the harness if the webbing is frayed. Do not paint or apply stickers that hide damage. We carry 385 head protection and accessory products from Vision Safe, PIP ANZ, Maxisafe and Portwest.

How do you choose safety footwear?

Safety boots and shoes are rated for toe protection, penetration resistance and slip resistance. Products listed against AS/NZS 2210.3 or EN ISO 20345 show the classification the footwear is tested to. Match it to the hazards on your site, for example water, uneven ground or sharp objects underfoot. Fit is essential: allow a thumb width at the toe, secure heel hold, no pressure points. Wear the work socks you use on the job when trying them on. Replace footwear when the sole is worn smooth, the toe cap is exposed, or the upper is split. We stock 129 safety footwear products from PIP ANZ, Maxisafe, Portwest and ATS Global.

What about high visibility and protective clothing?

High visibility garments are classed for day, night, or day and night use. Day only uses fluorescent fabric. Night only uses retroreflective tape. Day and night combines both. Look for products listed against AS/NZS 4602.1 or EN ISO 20471. Coveralls and protective clothing may also need to meet EN ISO 13688 for general requirements. Follow the care label: wash inside out, avoid fabric softener, line dry to preserve reflective tape and fluorescent colour. Replace garments when the tape is cracked, the colour has faded, or the fabric is torn. We offer 137 protective clothing and coverall products from ATS Global, Portwest, Maxisafe and PIP ANZ, plus high visibility workwear such as the Portwest Hi-Vis Essential Polar Fleece F250.

How is fall protection different from other PPE?

Fall protection follows a prevention first approach. Eliminate the need to work at height, then use guardrails or work positioning before relying on fall arrest. Fall arrest equipment includes harnesses listed against AS/NZS 1891.1, lanyards and energy absorbers listed against AS/NZS 1891.5, and fall arrest devices listed against AS/NZS 1891.3. Selection, use and maintenance follow AS/NZS 1891.4. Inspect harnesses and lanyards before every use: check webbing for cuts, burns, chemical damage, stitching for breaks, hardware for distortion or corrosion. Have a rescue plan in place before anyone works at height. We supply 344 fall protection and height safety products from PIP ANZ, Maxisafe and Bailey, including the Bailey Energy Absorbing Lanyard 1.4-2.0m Professional FS14119.

How do you choose, fit and replace PPE?

Use this checklist when selecting and managing PPE for a team:

  • Identify the hazard first, then choose the PPE type rated for that hazard.
  • Check the product listing for the relevant standard number.
  • Select the correct size and adjustability for each worker.
  • Train workers on how to put it on, adjust, wear, remove and store it.
  • Inspect before each use, replace damaged or expired items immediately.
  • Keep records of issue dates, training and inspections.
  • Review the risk assessment when tasks, substances or people change.

How do you buy PPE for a team?

Our trade buying page gives you pathways to quick order by SKU, request a product quote, sign in to a customer account to see orders and account details, and submit a trade account application enquiry. The quick order page lets you enter SKUs and quantities, paste a list of SKU and quantity pairs or import a CSV, then add the exact matches to the cart in one step. For larger or mixed orders, use the request a quote form: list product names or SKUs and quantities, a required by date, delivery or pickup preference and postcode. Availability is confirmed with the quote. Contact us if you need help matching products to your site hazards. Build a standard kit list for each role so reordering is fast and consistent.

Frequently asked questions

What does PPE stand for?

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. It covers any clothing or equipment worn by a worker to minimise a risk to their health or safety.

Does the business have to pay for PPE?

The business provides the PPE it requires. Safe Work Australia notes a worker does not pay for their PPE. Check the requirements that apply to your workplace.

Is PPE enough on its own?

PPE is the last control in the hierarchy of controls. It backs up higher controls such as elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering and administrative controls. It does not replace them.

What is the difference between a hard hat and a bump cap?

Hard hats are listed against AS/NZS 1801 for falling objects and bumps. Bump caps are for low clearance areas without falling object risk and are not hard hats.

How often should PPE be replaced?

Replace PPE when it is damaged, worn, contaminated or past the manufacturer's stated service life. There is no single timeframe for all items, follow the manufacturer instructions and the standard the product is listed against.

For help choosing the right PPE for your site, call us on 1300 078 277 or visit our contact page.

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Sources

This guide is general information for Australian workplaces. It is not legal advice. Requirements differ between states and territories and change over time, so check the current guidance of your regulator and the standard itself before relying on it.

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