Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Explored

As you know, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a big role in keeping your workers safe on the job.

Whether it’s a hard hat, safety boots, gloves, or a hi-vis jacket, the right gear and workwear really does help you protect against common workplace hazards.

As employers, you also have a duty to provide suitable PPE, and your employees must use it properly.

But what are some of the different types that you need to supply, how do these differ, and what do you need to know here?

Well, in this guide to PPE, we will cover all the key types you need to know about, from head to toe, with advice on choosing, using, and maintaining each one.

Then, with trusted brands like JSP, Wonder Grip® and Pulsar to choose from, staying safe at work has never been easier.

So let’s make your workplace safer, comfier, and more protected — because a healthy body is the best tool you’ve got.

Then, if you are still not sure, our helpful customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you may have.

What are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Products?

Definition: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing or gear worn to protect workers from risks and hazards at work. As a result, this includes items like helmets, gloves, goggles, masks, and safety boots.

The whole point of PPE is to help reduce injury and illness in your workforce by creating a barrier between the workers and the danger that they may face on the job.

Consequently, it is a key part of keeping your team safe, following workplace safety rules, and your company legally compliant all at the same time.

What Are Some of the Major PPE Standards?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) actually covers a wide range of standards and regulations - rarely is there a one-size-fits-all type of PPE you can buy.

As a result, the first thing you need to understand it so what standards you need your PPE to align to.

We have put together this brief table to help you understand some of the main ones here and what they are designed to protect, to assist you if you are not sure.

However, it will still be your responsibility to make sure the PPE is up to the level of protection your risk assessments have deemed it to be, and for your individual application, use it to make sure your staff are fully protected at all times.

PPE Type	Standard	What It Covers
Eye Protection	EN 166	Optical clarity, impact resistance, UV protection
Face Protection	EN 175	Protection during welding, sparks, radiation
Head Protection	EN 397	Impact resistance, penetration, chin strap strength
Hand Protection	EN 388	Mechanical risks – cuts, tears, abrasion
Hand Protection	EN 374	Chemical risks – penetration and permeation
Footwear	EN ISO 20345	Toe protection, slip resistance, sole penetration
Hearing Protection	EN 352	Noise reduction levels, construction quality
Fall Protection	EN 361	Full-body harnesses – performance and strength
Respiratory Protection	EN 149	Filtering half masks – dust and particle protection

Eye & Face Protection

When you’re working around dust, chemicals, flying debris, or sparks, protecting your eyes and face is a must; that is where Eye & Face Protection PPE comes in.

As here especially, injuries to these areas can be serious and often permanent.

That’s why PPE like safety glasses, goggles, and face shields really are essential, especially in environments like construction sites, labs, and manufacturing plants to name just a few here.

Key Points When It Comes to Eye & Face Protection

There are several types of eye and face protection depending on the task at hand.

For instance, here, safety glasses are great for general use, while goggles offer you better protection against dust or chemical splashes.

For welding, helmets are essential to shield against arc flashes, and full-face shields are ideal for jobs like grinding or cutting - where flying debris is more of a risk.

> As a result, the main standard to look for here is EN 166, which covers optical clarity, impact resistance, UV protection, and general durability, to list a few.

However, you should always choose the protection here that suits the specific hazard you and your team will be facing, and make sure it fits properly and works well with other PPE like helmets or half and full face mask respirators for instance.

Body Supports

Body supports are specially designed to help reduce strain and prevent aches, pains, and more serious injuries – especially when lifting, bending, or doing repetitive tasks.

As a result, this PPE plays a key role in protecting the back, knees, wrists, and other joints of your workplace during physically demanding work.

Key Points When It Comes to Body Supports

Body supports really are vital bits of PPE when it comes to supporting and reducing the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), especially in jobs that involve heavy lifting or awkward postures.

As a result, common types here will include lumbar belts to support the lower back, wrist braces for repetitive hand tasks, and knee pads for working on hard surfaces.

To be effective, the supports should meet ergonomic standards as well – meaning they need to be adjustable, breathable, and comfortable for long-term wear.

They’re particularly useful as well in roles like construction, warehouse handling, packaging, plumbing, and other manual trades.

As a result, it’s also important to remember that body supports work best when combined with proper manual handling training – they’re a helpful aid but not a substitute for good technique at the end of the day.

Fall Protection, Harnesses & Lanyards

Working at height comes with real risks, and falls can lead to life-changing injuries.

As a result, fall protection PPE – like harnesses, lanyards, and anchor systems – is designed to stop a fall or reduce the impact if it happens.

These are also more than vital when you have a workforce on rooftops, scaffolding, ladders, at-height work, or tower work, for example.

Key Points When It Comes to Fall Protection, Harnesses & Lanyards

Fall protection systems include several important components: full-body harnesses that evenly distribute force in the event of a fall, lanyards that securely connect the worker to an anchor point, and shock absorbers that help reduce the force of impact.

As a result, the key standard to look for here is EN 361, which will give you harnesses that meet strict strength and safety requirements - however, you will still need to pay for the right harness to your exact application use for it as well.

For these systems to work effectively, it's essential that all equipment is inspected before each use and that workers receive proper training on how to fit and use the gear correctly.

Just remember, safety at height starts with the right equipment and the know-how to use it; you can't have one without the other.

Footwear

Good work footwear, such as safety trainers, safety wellingtons, safety work boots, safety work shoes, smart safety styles, or even just the correct socks, insoles, and laces for instance, are more than just needed for comfort – they help prevent slips, falls, crushed toes, and puncture wounds for occurring.

Pro Tip: Depending on your environment, different features will be needed here, from anti-slip soles to waterproof or insulated boots, for instance.

Key Points When It Comes to PPE Footwear

As you can see, there really are various types of safety footwear designed to protect against different risks.

For instance, here you have steel-toe boots, which are great for guarding against heavy impacts; anti-slip shoes help prevent accidents on wet or oily surfaces, and metatarsal guards give you added protection for the top of the foot.

The main standard to follow here is also EN ISO 20345, which covers essential features like reinforced toe caps, energy absorption in the heel, and slip-resistant soles as well.

It is then also really important to make sure the footwear fits well, allows for natural movement, and suits the specific tasks being done — because when it comes to safety shoes, comfort and fit are just as important as the protection they give you and that you need.

Hand Protection

Hands are one of the most used – and most at-risk – parts of the body in many workplaces.

Whether it’s for Chemical Protection, Cut Protection, Disposable use, General Handling, Mechanical Protection, or Thermal Protection, they really do protect against a wide range of hazards.

As a result, choosing the right pair is key to comfort and safety.

Key Points When It Comes to PPE Hand Protection

Hand protection comes in many forms, depending on the task and hazard you are facing.

Nitrile gloves, for instance, are ideal for chemical resistance, while leather gloves offer you better protection from sharp edges and heat.

Kevlar gloves, on the other hand, are great for high-strength tasks, and latex gloves provide excellent flexibility and dexterity for more delicate work.

As a result, when it comes to standards, EN 388 will cover protection against mechanical risks like cuts and abrasions, while EN 374 focuses more towards chemical resistance, for instance.

Head Protection

Head injuries, as you will know, can be fatal or life-altering.

That’s why wearing a safety helmet or bump cap is often non-negotiable, as this gear really does shield you against falling tools, bumping into objects, or even electrical hazards in some cases.

Please note: You can also get head protection accessories as well, which also offer you additioanl support and protection over just the base unit when required as well.

Key Points when it comes to PPE Head Protection

As you can see, there are several types of head protection you can get depending on the level of risk you are facing.

Industrial-level helmets are really essential for construction and high-risk jobs, while bump caps are suitable for low-risk areas where protection from minor knocks is needed.

Then over, just their hardness, you also have high-visibility helmets, which also add extra safety by making workers easier to spot on busy sites as well.

For the main safety standard here, you are looking at EN 397, which sets requirements for impact resistance and protection from falling objects.

Consequently, useful features to look for here include adjustable chin straps, ventilation for comfort, and accessory slots for things like visors or earmuffs as well.

Pro Tip: Remember – if a helmet is cracked or has been dropped, it should be replaced straight away, as it may no longer offer you the proper level of protection that it is designed for.

Hearing Protection

Constant exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss – sometimes without you even realising it.

This is where hearing protectors come in, as they help you to reduce noise to safe levels and should be worn whenever there’s a risk from loud machinery, tools, or environments for example.

Key Points When It Comes to Hearing Protection

Hearing protection comes in a few main types: ear defenders (or earmuffs) that cover the whole ear, earplugs that then fit inside the ear canal, or even Hearing Dispensers & Refills .

As a result, the right choice here depends on the level of noise and what feels most comfortable for the wearer.

The EN 352 series of standards will also cover everything from the performance and design to the durability of hearing protection equipment as well, and it is also essential to carry out proper noise assessments and make sure workers are trained on when and how to use hearing protection correctly — because protecting hearing starts with understanding the risks, not the products themselves.

Respiratory Protection

Breathing in dust, fumes, or hazardous gases can also lead to serious long-term health problems.

This is where respiratory protection equipment like disposable masks, respirators filters, fit testing products, and powered respirators come in, when helping workers breathe safely.

Key Points When It Comes to Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is utterly vital in environments with dust, fumes, or airborne hazards; that goes without saying.

Common types include disposable dust masks for light tasks, half or full-face respirators for more serious risks, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for high-exposure work.

As a result, here you want to check for products that meet the relevant standard, EN 149, as this then outlines the requirements for filtering half masks and protection against particles, for example.

One of the most important aspects here is also fit testing – as even the best mask won’t work if it doesn’t seal properly.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget good maintenance and correct storage are essential here as well to keep your respiratory gear working safely and effectively.

Welding Safety

As you will know, welding exposes workers to sparks, intense light, molten metal, and harmful fumes – so proper welding PPE is more than critical due to this.

As a result, it is not just about protecting the eyes but also the face, hands, and lungs, all at the same time here.

Key Points When It Comes to Welding Safety

Welding requires specialised PPE to guard against sparks, intense heat, and harmful radiation.

That is why here, essential gear includes welding helmets masks and sheilds, welding goggles and glasses with auto-darkening visors, heat-resistant gloves, aprons, flame-retardant clothing to protect the skin, welding curtains, along with welding respirators and filters.

In jobs where fumes are a concern — especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces — respirators may also be necessary to protect the lungs.

The key standard for this type of PPE is EN 175, which focuses on face and eye protection during welding tasks, and it is also vital to ensure that all PPE used in welding is flame-resistant and regularly checked for wear and tear — even a small hole can pose a serious risk here for instance.

How to Select the Right PPE For You?

As you can now see, choosing the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is all about understanding the job, the environment, and the risks involved.

It’s just not a one-size-fits-all situation – as different roles and tasks require different types and levels of protection.

Consequently, selecting the correct PPE helps for your exact circumstances will make sure your team stays safe, comfortable, and fully compliant with your workplace safety regulations.

Risk Assesments

The first step in selecting PPE is to always carry out a thorough risk assessment of what you need and to what standard.

Here, for instance, you need to identify potential hazards such as falling objects, chemical exposure, loud noise, or airborne particles and decide what kind of protection is needed for each.

Once you know the risks, you can then choose PPE that offers the right level of protection without restricting movement or comfort as you do so.

Correct Fit

It’s also key that the PPE fits properly, as poorly fitting gear can be uncomfortable and may not offer the full protection you think it will.

As a result, you actually want to offer a range of sizes and adjustable options where possible and consider things like compatibility with other PPE (e.g. helmets with visors or ear defenders).

PPE Training & Support

But don’t forget the human side – as training and support are key to making sure the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is actually used correctly.

Here, you need to make sure that your employees know how to put PPE on correctly, how to look after it, and when it should be replaced.

Pro Tip: Creating a culture where PPE is used confidently and correctly makes a big difference in workplace safety, over just making sure the correct PPE is supplied, for instance.

How often should PPE be replaced?

You should replace PPE if it’s damaged, worn out, or no longer does the job – and always follow what the manufacturer says here to the letter.

Can PPE be shared among employees?

It is best not to – as it can be unhygienic and might not fit everyone.

If sharing is required, then you should clean it properly and make sure it fits each person well here.

So is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Right For You?

As you can see, keeping your workforce safe with proper PPE and workwear isn’t just smart – it’s the law.

Whether it's a hi-vis jacket, a pair of Wonder Grip® gloves, or a JSP helmet, every bit of kit really does matter.

With the right protection, guidance, and training, your team will stay safe, and your business will stay compliant for years to come.

Contact Customer Support

If you are still not sure about which is the correct PPE protection product for you, or you need help, then for further product information , please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you understand which ones are perfect for you and your team.

Standard Delivery Options

We have also extended our delivery service and ordering hours to offer you free next-working-day delivery with immediate despatch, making your shipping experience even easier.

Place your order online by 7 p.m. and choose the delivery charge that suits you - including next-day dispatch - to ensure you get a timely, UK mainland hassle-free delivery of your products.

Standard free UK delivery is also available for all products ordered within the specified time, with free shipping and a good returns policy for certain items as well.

Who Is MSC Industrial Supply Co.?

Here at MSC Industrial Supply Co., we are a leading supplier of industrial machine tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies across the United Kingdom. As a result, we can offer trade accounts, a vast selection of new and great-value products from tool sets to metalworking cutting tools and lots more, with free next-day delivery on eligible orders as well.

Our extensive range includes everything from hand tools and power tools to specialised hole-making equipment like blacksmith drill bits, core drills, and machine reamers, to name just a few.

As a result, we can provide you with a comprehensive selection of products, including:

• Blacksmith Drill Bits
• Countersink Drill Bits
• Step Drill Bits
• Masonry Drill Bits
• Hand Tools
• Indexable Insert Drills
• Cutting Tools
• Abrasives
• Power Tools
• Reamer Tools
• Safety Equipment
• Centre Drill Bits

As a result, we serve a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to maintenance and beyond. Consequently, our commitment to providing quality products and exceptional customer service makes us a trusted partner for all your industrial needs.

With our knowledgeable customer support team and technical assistance available Monday-Friday, we ensure you have the support you need to succeed.