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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Document Type: Policy/Procedure
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: All Field Personnel

Purpose​

Establish requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect employees from workplace hazards.

General PPE Policy​

Employer Responsibilities​

  • Provide required PPE at no cost to employees
  • Train employees on proper PPE use
  • Ensure PPE is maintained and replaced
  • Enforce PPE requirements

Employee Responsibilities​

  • Wear required PPE at all times
  • Inspect PPE before each use
  • Report damaged or defective PPE
  • Request replacement when needed
  • Follow training and instructions

Minimum Site PPE Requirements​

Always Required on Construction Sites​

PPERequirementStandard
Hard HatRequired in all work areasANSI Z89.1, Type I or II
Safety GlassesRequired in all work areasANSI Z87.1
High-Visibility VestRequired in all work areasANSI/ISEA 107, Class 2
Work BootsSteel/composite toe requiredASTM F2412/F2413
Long PantsFull length, no shortsCompany policy

PPE by Hazard Type​

Head Protection​

Hard Hats Required When:

  • On construction jobsite
  • Below overhead work
  • Near electrical hazards
  • Where objects may fall

Types:

  • Type I: Top impact
  • Type II: Top and side impact (recommended)
  • Class E: Electrical rated (20,000V)
  • Class G: General (2,200V)
  • Class C: Conductive (no electrical protection)

Inspection:

  • Check for cracks, dents, holes
  • Check suspension for wear
  • Replace after any impact
  • Replace if damaged
  • Replace per manufacturer (typically 2-5 years)

Eye and Face Protection​

Safety Glasses Required:

  • All construction work areas
  • Power tool operation
  • Overhead work
  • Dusty conditions

Goggles Required:

  • Chemical exposure potential
  • Dust-generating work
  • Impact hazard from sides

Face Shield Required:

  • Grinding
  • Chipping
  • Chemical splash potential
  • Welding (with proper lens)

Welding Hood Required:

  • Arc welding
  • Cutting operations
  • Proper shade for amperage
OperationShade Number
Light cutting3-4
Heavy cutting4-5
SMAW (stick) light10
SMAW heavy11-13
MIG10-13
TIG10-14

Hearing Protection​

Required When:

  • Noise levels at or above 85 dB (8-hour TWA)
  • Unable to hear normal conversation at 3 feet

Common High-Noise Tasks:

  • Jackhammering
  • Concrete sawing
  • Powder-actuated tools
  • Pneumatic chipping
  • Heavy equipment operation

Types:

TypeNRR RangeBest For
Foam plugs25-33High noise, continuous
Flanged plugs20-27Intermittent noise
Ear muffs22-31Variable noise, cold weather
Canal caps15-25Intermittent, quick on/off

Hand Protection​

Gloves Required:

  • Material handling
  • Sharp object handling
  • Chemical handling
  • Hot/cold materials

Glove Selection by Hazard:

HazardGlove Type
Cuts/abrasionCut-resistant (ANSI level)
PunctureLeather, cut-resistant
ConcreteRubber or nitrile
ChemicalsRefer to SDS
HeatThermal/welding gloves
ColdInsulated gloves
ElectricalRubber insulating (rated)
GeneralLeather work gloves

Do NOT Wear Gloves:

  • When operating rotating equipment
  • Near rotating shafts, drills, grinders
  • Risk of caught-in hazard

Foot Protection​

Safety Toe Required:

  • All construction work
  • Handling heavy materials
  • Around equipment

Types:

MaterialProsCons
Steel toeStrong, provenHeavy, cold, sets off detectors
CompositeLighter, no metalLess protection
AlloyLighter than steelCost

Additional Features:

  • Puncture-resistant sole (construction recommended)
  • Metatarsal guards (heavy material handling)
  • Electrical hazard rated (EH)
  • Slip-resistant sole

Boot Care:

  • Inspect for damage daily
  • Replace worn soles
  • Replace if safety feature compromised

Respiratory Protection​

Required When:

  • Airborne hazards exceed PEL
  • Dust, fumes, vapors present
  • Silica exposure (concrete, masonry)
  • Painting, coating operations
  • Confined spaces with air hazards

Respirator Types:

TypeProtectionUses
N95ParticulatesDust, non-oil aerosols
P100ParticulatesOil and non-oil aerosols
Half-face APRGases/vaporsWith proper cartridges
Full-face APRGases/vaporsHigher protection, eye
PAPRPowered airExtended use, higher PF
SCBAAtmosphere supplyIDLH, unknown atmospheres

Requirements:

  • Medical evaluation before use
  • Fit testing (annual for tight-fitting)
  • Training on use and limitations
  • Written respiratory protection program

Fall Protection PPE​

Full Body Harness Required:

  • Work at 6+ feet (general)
  • Aerial lift operation (boom)
  • Where guardrails inadequate

Components:

  • Full body harness (not belt)
  • Lanyard or SRL
  • Proper anchor point

Inspection (Before Each Use):

  • Webbing not frayed, cut, burned
  • Buckles functional
  • D-rings not cracked/distorted
  • Lanyard/SRL functional
  • No previous fall loading

See Fall Protection Program for details

High-Visibility Clothing​

Required:

  • All construction sites
  • Near traffic/equipment
  • Low-light conditions

Classes:

ClassUse
Class 1Low-traffic areas
Class 2Higher traffic, construction standard
Class 3High-speed traffic, flaggers

Types:

  • Vests (minimum Class 2)
  • T-shirts (with reflective)
  • Jackets
  • Coveralls

Task-Specific PPE​

Concrete Work​

  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Long sleeves (recommended)
  • Rubber gloves
  • Rubber boots
  • Knee pads (finishing)

Welding/Cutting​

  • Welding hood (proper shade)
  • Welding gloves
  • Leather apron/jacket
  • Safety glasses under hood
  • Hearing protection

Grinding​

  • Face shield
  • Safety glasses under shield
  • Hearing protection
  • Gloves (leather)
  • Long sleeves

Excavation​

  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • High-vis vest (minimum Class 2)
  • Safety boots

Roofing​

  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves
  • Fall protection harness
  • Knee pads

Electrical Work​

  • Safety glasses
  • Rated rubber gloves (voltage appropriate)
  • Leather protectors over rubber
  • Arc flash rated clothing (where required)
  • Hard hat (Class E)

PPE Inspection Schedule​

PPEDailyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Hard hat✓ (user)✓Replace per mfr
Safety glasses✓ (user)Replace when damaged
Harness✓ (user)Formal inspection
Respirator✓ (user)Fit test
Gloves✓ (user)Replace when worn

PPE Training Requirements​

Initial Training:​

  • Why PPE is necessary
  • What PPE is required
  • How to properly don/doff
  • Limitations of PPE
  • Proper care and maintenance
  • When to replace

Retraining:​

  • Change in PPE requirements
  • New equipment introduced
  • Employee not using correctly
  • After any injury involving PPE failure

PPE Violations​

Progressive Discipline:​

OffenseAction
FirstVerbal warning, document
SecondWritten warning
ThirdSuspension
FourthTermination

Immediate Removal:​

  • Refusal to wear required PPE
  • Intentional damage to PPE
  • Repeated violations
  • Respiratory Protection Program
  • Fall Protection Program
  • Hearing Conservation Program
  • Job Hazard Analysis Procedure

Software Integration​

Safety Meetings App:

  • PPE training documentation
  • PPE toolbox talks
  • Inspection checklists

OSHA References​

  • 29 CFR 1926.95 (Criteria for PPE)
  • 29 CFR 1926.100 (Head protection)
  • 29 CFR 1926.101 (Hearing protection)
  • 29 CFR 1926.102 (Eye and face)
  • 29 CFR 1926.103 (Respiratory)

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