PPE Clothing & Equipment

The PPE Equipment Range at Absafe

PPE – personal protective equipment – is the last layer of protection between a worker and a workplace hazard. Under Australia's Work Health and Safety Act and model WHS Regulations (Regulations 36, 44, and 45), PCBUs (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) are legally required to provide suitable PPE equipment to workers, ensure it meets Australian Standards, and train workers in its correct use.

Absafe supplies a comprehensive range of PPE for construction, manufacturing, mining, warehousing and other high-risk workplaces.

Body Protection

Body protection covers everything worn to protect the torso and limbs from physical hazards such as cuts, abrasions, impacts, chemical splashes, heat, and arc flash. 

Our selection includes:

• Chemical-resistant coveralls for work involving hazardous substances, pesticides, and asbestos.
• Cut-resistant sleeves and aprons for fabrication, glass handling, and sharp-material work.
• High-visibility vests and coveralls are mandatory on most Australian construction and road sites.

The right body protection depends on the specific hazard. Contact our team at Absafe if you're not sure which equipment you need, and we can help you choose the most suitable options.

Ear & Hearing Protection

Hearing protection is legally required when workplace exposure exceeds 85 dB. Prolonged exposure without protection causes irreversible hearing loss.

We offer:

• Earplugs: disposable or reusable foam or flanged plugs for moderate noise environments. Compact and easy to carry.
• Earmuffs: over-ear cups for high-noise environments. Available in standard, banded (under-chin), and helmet-mounted configurations.

The Class rating (1–5) indicates the attenuation level – higher-rated protection is needed in higher-noise environments.

Eyewear & Eye Protection

Eye injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in Australia. The right occupational eyewear can help prevent them. 

Available options include:

• Safety glasses: the baseline for most worksites. Impact-rated lenses and side shields for flying particles and dust hazards.
• Safety goggles: sealed against the face for chemical splash and fine dust environments. Required where glasses alone don't provide a full seal.
• Face shields: for grinding, welding, and chemical work where full-face protection is needed in addition to eye protection.

All eye protection complies with AS/NZS 1337. The choice depends on the hazard: impact, dust, chemical splash, UV, or laser.

Face Masks

Face masks range from basic disposable masks to full-face respirators for serious airborne hazards:

• P1 disposable masks for low-hazard nuisance dust and general particulate environments where exposure is minimal and brief
• P2 half-face respirators are reusable masks with replaceable cartridges for workers with regular exposure to dust, fumes, or chemical vapours. Available as complete mask-and-filter kits or as separate parts.
• P3 full-face respirators cover the entire face, providing the highest level of tight-fitting mask protection. They are required for high-hazard environments, like asbestos removal, toxic dust, and combined particle and chemical vapour hazards.

All respiratory protective equipment complies with AS/NZS 1716:2012. The right choice depends on the type of hazard and the level of protection required.

For powered air options, PAPR systems, or SCBA for oxygen-deficient environments, see our dedicated Respirators & Breathing Masks range.

Gloves & Hand Protection

Hand injuries are the most frequently reported workplace injury type in Australia. The right gloves help protect workers from cuts, abrasions, chemicals, heat, cold and other hazards, or reduce the severity of an injury when contact can’t be avoided.

Our range includes:

• Cut-resistant gloves rated A to F under AS/NZS 2161.3. They are essential for glass handling, metal fabrication, and sharp-material work.
• Chemical-resistant gloves: nitrile, neoprene, or PVC construction for chemical handling. Glove material must be matched to the specific chemical.
• Heat and welding gloves: leather or reinforced construction for high-temperature work.
• General work gloves: leather, synthetic, or coated for general handling, abrasion resistance, and grip.

Choose gloves based on the specific hazards of the task, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Helmets

A safety helmet is required on all construction sites and is also compulsory in many other workplaces.

We provide:

• Type 1 hard hats: standard brim construction for general construction and industrial use. Comply with AS/NZS 1801.
• Type 2 hard hats: full-brim for outdoor environments, providing additional sun protection.
• Vented helmets: for comfort in heat.
• Bump caps: for low-headroom environments without falling object risk. Not a substitute for a certified hard hat.
• Helmet accessories: chin straps, face shield brackets, earmuff attachments, and lamp brackets for mining and tunnelling.

Protective Clothing

Protective clothing covers the full range of workwear designed to provide certified protection against specific site hazards.

Absafe stocks:

• Hi-vis shirts, jackets, and pants: mandatory on most Australian construction and traffic management sites. Comply with AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 for hi-vis and AS/NZS 4399 for UV/UPF protection where sun exposure is a factor.
• Chemical-resistant jackets and pants: for hazardous substance handling, spray applications, and HAZMAT environments.
• Waterproof and wet-weather gear: for outdoor workers in exposed environments.
• Disposable coveralls: for asbestos removal, hazardous-substance handling, and cleanroom environments where contamination control is required.

Shop for Top-Class PPE in Australia

Absafe has over 150 years of combined experience across our team in safety equipment. We work with engineering, construction, facade, and structural contractors in complex, high-risk environments, providing the full range of required PPE equipment.

Our PPE range covers head-to-toe protection across every category, including helmets, eyewear, hearing protection, gloves, face masks, body protection, and protective clothing, all sourced from trusted manufacturers and certified to the relevant standards.

Whether you're equipping a single worker or an entire site, our team can help you select PPE that matches your workplace hazards, tasks and compliance requirements. Contact our team with any product-related questions – we'll help you match the equipment to your hazard profile and Australian compliance obligations.

FAQs

1. What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

PPE is clothing and equipment worn by workers to protect against workplace hazards that cannot be fully controlled by other means. It includes helmets, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, respiratory masks, protective clothing, and safety footwear.

2. What PPE do I need on a construction site?

The minimum PPE for most Australian construction sites is a hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection in noisy areas, safety boots, task-appropriate gloves, and hi-vis clothing complying with AS/NZS 4602.1. Task-specific PPE may include respirators for dust or silica, face shields for grinding, and chemical-resistant gloves for hazardous substances. 

Your site’s Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) specifies the required PPE for each task.

3. What Australian Standards apply to PPE?

The key Australian Standards for PPE categories are:

• Hard hats: AS/NZS 1801
• Eye protection: AS/NZS 1337
• Hearing protection: AS/NZS 1270
• Respiratory protection: AS/NZS 1716
• Hi-vis clothing: AS/NZS 4602.1
• Safety footwear: AS/NZS 2210
• UV/sun protective clothing: AS/NZS 4399
• Protective gloves (cut): AS/NZS ISO 13997

To ensure compliance, always check that the PPE carries the relevant Australian Standard marking on the label.