1. Eliminate

Remove the hazard completely where this is reasonably practicable.

2. Substitute

Replace a hazardous material, process or method with a safer alternative where appropriate.

3. Engineering Controls

Use guarding, extraction, ventilation, enclosure, barriers or other physical controls to reduce exposure.

4. Administrative Controls

Use work procedures, training, access control, scheduling, supervision and other organisational measures.

5. Personal Protective Equipment

Select suitable PPE for remaining hazards and make sure workers understand its correct use and limitations.

Head Protection

Safety helmets and other head-protection products may be required where workers face falling objects, overhead hazards, impact or other identified head-injury risks.

Foot Protection

Protective footwear may be required for impact, compression, puncture, slippery surfaces, wet environments or other task-specific foot hazards.

Hand Protection

Gloves should be selected according to the actual hazard, such as abrasion, cutting, chemicals, heat, cold, welding or general material handling.

Eye & Face Protection

Safety glasses, goggles and face protection may be required for impact, flying particles, dust, chemical splash, welding and other identified hazards.

Respiratory Protection

Respirators should be selected according to the actual airborne contaminant, exposure conditions and compatible filter or cartridge where applicable.

Hearing Protection

Ear plugs and ear muffs may be required where workplace noise exposure presents a hearing risk.

Protective Clothing

Protective clothing can include overalls, chemical suits, reflective clothing, aprons, rainwear and other garments selected for the work activity and exposure.

Fall Protection

Work at height may require a complete fall-protection system involving a suitable harness, connecting equipment, anchorage, clearance and rescue planning.

1. Define the Job

Record what the worker actually does: welding, cutting, spraying, loading, cleaning, grinding, driving, maintenance or another activity.

2. Identify the Hazard

Identify hazards such as impact, cuts, chemicals, dust, fumes, noise, heat, splash, traffic, electrical hazards or falls.

3. Define the Exposure

Consider severity, duration, frequency and the body areas that could be exposed.

4. Identify the PPE Category

Determine whether head, foot, hand, eye, face, hearing, respiratory, body or fall protection is required.

5. Define the Required Protection

Decide what the PPE must actually protect against before comparing brands or models.

6. Confirm the Specification

Check materials, product design, applicable standard where required, protection class, limitations and manufacturer information for the exact model.

7. Check Worker Fit

PPE should fit the individual worker and remain practical while the task is being performed.

8. Check Compatibility

Make sure different items can be worn together without interfering with fit, visibility, movement or protective performance.

9. Train the Worker

Workers should understand how to wear, adjust, inspect, remove, clean and store the PPE, together with its limitations.

10. Review & Replace

Inspect PPE during use and replace it when wear, damage, contamination or manufacturer guidance means it is no longer suitable.

Safety Footwear

• Toe hazard
• Puncture risk
• Work surface
• Required outsole properties
• Wet or chemical exposure
• Correct size and fit

Safety Helmets

• Head hazard
• Helmet type
• Retention requirement
• Adjustment system
• Accessory compatibility
• Exact standard and model specification

Safety Gloves

• Mechanical or chemical hazard
• Glove material
• Required grip
• Dexterity
• Cuff length
• Size and fit

Respiratory PPE

• Airborne contaminant
• Exposure conditions
• Respirator type
• Filter or cartridge
• Facepiece fit
• Use limitations

Eye & Face Protection

• Impact, dust or splash hazard
• Required coverage
• Lens or visor characteristics
• Fit
• Compatibility with other PPE
• Exact product specification

Fall Protection

• Work-at-height task
• Harness configuration
• Connecting equipment
• Anchorage
• Fall clearance
• Rescue considerations

Respirators Are Hazard-Specific

A particulate respirator does not automatically protect against gases or vapours, and a cartridge should be selected for the actual contaminant and compatible respirator system.

Chemical Gloves Are Not Universal

Glove suitability can depend on the chemical, concentration, contact duration, glove material, thickness and manufacturer compatibility data.

A Harness Is Not a Complete Fall System

Work-at-height protection may also require appropriate connectors, lanyards or devices, anchorage, clearance assessment and rescue planning.

Standards Are Product-Specific

Do not assume every product from a brand, category or supplier carries the same standard, rating or certification.

Construction

Depending on the activity, workers may require head, foot, hand, visibility, eye, respiratory and fall protection.

Manufacturing

PPE may differ between production, maintenance, machine operation, stores, workshops and other departments.

Warehousing & Logistics

Common considerations include footwear, material-handling gloves, visibility and task-specific head, eye or hearing protection.

Flower Farms & Agriculture

PPE can vary considerably between greenhouse work, spraying, harvesting, packhouse, cold-room and maintenance operations.

Cleaning

Glove, eye, footwear, clothing and respiratory requirements should be matched to the cleaning activity and substances used.

Engineering & Workshops

Tasks may require footwear, mechanical gloves, welding protection, eye protection, hearing protection and suitable respiratory PPE.

Inspect Before Use

Check reusable PPE for damage, excessive wear, contamination, missing components and other relevant defects.

Clean Correctly

Follow applicable manufacturer cleaning and decontamination instructions.

Store Properly

Protect PPE from contamination, damage, excessive heat, sunlight or unsuitable storage conditions.

Replace When Necessary

Remove PPE from service when wear, damage, contamination or another condition makes it unsuitable.

Follow Manufacturer Guidance

Some PPE products and components have specific storage, inspection, replacement or service-life instructions.

Keep Relevant Records

Organisations may benefit from recording issue, inspection and replacement information for selected reusable or safety-critical PPE.

Buying the Cheapest Product First

Identify suitable PPE first, then compare pricing between products that meet the required application.

Giving Every Worker the Same PPE

Different employee roles may face different hazards even within the same workplace.

Ignoring Fit

Incorrectly sized or adjusted PPE can affect comfort, usability and protective performance.

Assuming Similar Products Are Equal

Similar-looking PPE can have different materials, standards, ratings, limitations and intended applications.

Ignoring Compatibility

PPE products worn together can interfere with one another if compatibility is not considered.

Forgetting Replacement Planning

Consumables, damaged equipment, new employees and routine replacement should form part of PPE planning.

What is personal protective equipment?

PPE is equipment or protective clothing worn to reduce worker exposure to workplace hazards. Examples include helmets, footwear, gloves, respirators, eyewear, hearing protection, protective clothing and fall-protection equipment.

When should PPE be used?

PPE may be needed where workplace risk remains after appropriate preventive and control measures have been considered.

How should PPE be selected?

Start with the worker's task and hazard, then consider exposure, required protection, exact specification, fit and compatibility.

Should every employee receive the same PPE?

Not necessarily. Different jobs can create different workplace exposures and require different PPE combinations.

Why is PPE fit important?

Poor fit can affect comfort, stability, usability and protective performance.

Are PPE standards important?

Where a particular standard or performance level is required, verify the information for the exact product and model.

Does every product from one brand have the same rating?

No. Standards, protection ratings and specifications can vary between individual products and models.

Should PPE be inspected before use?

Reusable PPE should be checked for relevant damage, wear, contamination, missing components and other defects.

When should PPE be replaced?

Replace PPE when wear, damage, contamination, loss of suitable fit or manufacturer guidance means it is no longer appropriate for use.

Should employees receive PPE training?

Workers should understand why PPE is needed, how to wear and adjust it, its limitations, how to inspect it and how to report defects.

Can PPE replace machine guarding or ventilation?

PPE should not automatically replace suitable guarding, extraction, ventilation, isolation or other appropriate workplace controls.

Where can I browse PPE after completing the selection process?

Continue to the Bansi Safety Gear PPE Safety Equipment hub to browse protective equipment by category.