The Real PPE Checklist for Concrete Work

Working with concrete? You need more than gloves. From dust masks to burn-proof boots, this is your no-BS guide to PPE for concrete work.

Here’s a highlight of the must-have gear that’ll keep you safe, compliant, and on the job:

• Waterproof gloves

• Long-sleeve shirts & pants

• Rubber boots with high tops

• Safety goggles or a face shield

• P100 dust respirator

• Hard hat (full brim preferred)

• Steel/composite toe boots

• Knee pads

• Ear protection (for loud equipment)

Have you ever stepped into wet concrete in leather boots and felt it soak right through?

That’s when you realize PPE isn’t just some OSHA checkbox; it’s the reason you get to clock in tomorrow without blisters, burns, or busted joints. Whether you’re pouring slabs, grinding edges, or busting out old footers, your gear matters.

And if your PPE doesn’t fit, fogs up, or feels like hell in the heat, you’re not gonna wear it.

This guide breaks down exactly what you need for concrete work and why it matters, from someone who knows what gets worn and what gets left in the truck.

The PPE Every Concrete Worker Needs (Broken Down by Risk)

Let’s cut through the noise. You’re not here for “corporate-approved” safety lists; you want to know what actually works when you're knee-deep in the mud, dust flying, rebar sticking out like a medieval booby trap. So here’s how to gear up, risk by risk.

Skin Protection

Wet concrete is a quiet killer for skin, burns that start without a sting and end in ER visits. That’s why covering up is non-negotiable.

• Long-sleeve shirts and full-length pants: Not the stiff, boxy stuff designed by some HR intern. You need breathable, flexible gear that protects and doesn’t make you feel like you’re wrapped in a furnace.

• Waterproof, alkali-resistant gloves: These keep your hands from getting torched by cement’s high pH. Just remember, if your gloves are soaked or cracked, they’re worse than useless.

• Knee pads: Ever kneel in wet concrete for 15 minutes? Now imagine doing it with a tear in your jeans. Alkaline slurry + friction = nasty “trapped burns.” Get good pads.

• High-top rubber boots: Leather boots soak in cement like a sponge. You want something waterproof and high enough to stay above the pour line.

Eye & Face Protection

If you’re mixing, cutting, or even standing nearby, concrete dust is coming for your eyes.

• Safety goggles: Basic rule, if you can smell the mix, your eyes are exposed. Go anti-fog if you don’t want to be constantly wiping lenses mid-pour.

• Full face shields: Especially during grinding or jackhammering. A rogue chunk of debris doesn’t care how good your glasses look.

• Know your eyewash station: If you don’t know where it is, you’re already behind.

FAQ: “Do I need eye protection even if I’m not handling the mix directly?”

Answer: Yes. Concrete dust floats. The guy across the site grinding that corner? He’s setting up your next cornea burn.

Respiratory Protection

Cement dust isn’t just annoying, it’s dangerous. Silica dust scars your lungs permanently. And grinding dry concrete without protection? You’re breathing in a problem you won’t see for a decade.

• N95 masks minimum, P100 preferred: For real silica protection, you want that tighter seal and better filter. N95 is a backup, not your go-to.

• Respirators for enclosed or heavy-dust work: Half-face or full-face, depending on the job. Bonus if you can actually breathe in it.

• HEPA air scrubbers: These machines create negative pressure in indoor spaces and trap airborne dust before it spreads.

Impact & Slip Protection

Concrete sites are like obstacle courses designed by angry giants; everything wants to break your feet or throw you off balance.

• Steel or composite toe boots: Composite is great for airport jobs or sites with metal detectors. Either way, you need toe protection and ankle support.

• Anti-slip rubber soles: Wet rebar + unfinished slab = wipeout waiting to happen.

• Fall protection (when above 6ft): OSHA doesn’t care if it “feels safe.” If you’re working at height, harness up. Period.

Hearing Protection

No one talks about hearing until they can’t hear the guy yelling “heads up!”

• Earplugs or earmuffs: Use them when cutting, sawing, or jackhammering. You might feel invincible now, but your future self wants to hear his grandkids laugh.

• Skip it for smoothing and pouring: No need to muffle the job if you’re just laying down the finish. But don’t forget it once the saw starts screaming.

Matching the PPE to the Job Task

Not all concrete work is created equal, and neither is the PPE that goes with it. What you need for pouring isn’t the same as what you need for demo.

The trick isn’t to overdo it; it’s to wear the right gear for the job, so you're safe, comfortable, and not dragging around stuff you’ll never use.

Here’s how to match your PPE to the task at hand:

Pouring Concrete

Must-Have PPE:

• Waterproof gloves

• High rubber boots

• Long-sleeve shirt and pants

Wet concrete is the silent assassin. It looks harmless, until it’s been sitting against your skin for two hours under your pants and starts eating through to your muscle. Your best move? Keep it off your body completely.

Cutting / Grinding

Must-Have PPE:

• P100 respirator or half-face mask

• Safety goggles

• Hearing protection

If you’re grinding indoors or cutting dry, you’re not just kicking up dust; you’re launching silica into the air. That stuff settles deep in your lungs and stays there. Think of your respirator as your filter for a longer life.

Demo Work

Must-Have PPE:

• Full-body coveralls

• Steel/composite toe boots

Finishing Work

Must-Have PPE:

• Gloves

• Knee pads

• Safety glasses or goggles

Finishing looks “clean,” but you’re still down on your knees, hands in the mix, and breathing in whatever’s settling around you. The trick here is comfort, because if your gear sucks, you’ll ditch it. And that’s when the burns start.

Whatever the task, gear up accordingly.

And remember: PPE isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation; it’s about matching what you wear to what you’re doing. If your crew’s working like it’s 1999 in a dust cloud with shop glasses from a gas station, it’s time for a gear check.

PPE Compliance vs. Comfort (And How to Fix the Gap)

Let’s be honest, every guy on the job knows what PPE he’s supposed to wear. But that doesn’t mean he actually wears it. Why? 

Because a lot of PPE out there just plain sucks. It's hot. It’s stiff. It fogs up. And worst of all, it feels like it was made for a mannequin, not a real dude laying rebar in the August sun.

Why PPE Gets Ditched on the Daily

• Heat: Long sleeves and thick gear in summer? Feels like working inside a sauna.

• Fogged-up eyewear: You can’t finish a slab if your glasses look like a steamy shower door.

• Bad fit: If it pinches, rides up, or falls off, it’s staying in the truck.

• Cheap gear: Torn gloves, peeling boots, and shirts that shrink after one wash aren’t just uncomfortable, they’re dangerous.

The Fix: Gear That Doesn’t Suck

PPE that’s breathable, flexible, and actually fits makes all the difference.

Moisture-wicking shirts? Game changer.

Cooling vests? Worth it.

Full-brim hard hats? Keep the sun out of your eyes and concrete off your neck.

And here’s the thing no one wants to admit: style matters. When your gear feels like a punishment, you avoid it. But when it looks good, gets laughs, and actually functions? You wear it.

That’s why we design hi-vis shirts that crack jokes and pass safety standards. You get protection, breathability, and a design that doesn’t look like it was pulled from a janitor's closet.

Because compliance starts with wanting to wear your gear, and that starts with giving a damn about how it feels and looks.

If you’re a site supervisor, take note: Want better compliance?

Stop handing out the cheapest option and start giving your crew gear they’ll actually want to put on. It’s safer, smarter, and yeah, it’ll earn you more respect.

Helpful Resource -> 25+ Tips for Construction Workers: Work Smarter & Safer

Regulation Rundown: What OSHA and ANSI Actually Require

If you’re working with concrete, you don’t just need PPE; you’re legally required to use it.

OSHA isn’t throwing out suggestions here. They’ve got concrete (pun intended) rules that protect you and your crew from the jobsite’s nastiest risks. Blow them off, and you’re not just risking injuries, you’re risking fines, shutdowns, and lawsuits.

OSHA’s Basic PPE Mandate for Concrete Work

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates that every worker exposed to hazards, chemicals, impact, noise, and airborne particles must be provided with PPE that fits, functions, and actually protects.

For concrete work, this includes skin, eyes, lungs, feet, and hearing.

Specific Requirements You Need to Know:

• Eye & Face Protection (1910.133): Safety goggles or face shields must be worn when dealing with dust, splashes, or flying debris, like when mixing or grinding.

• Respiratory Protection (1910.134): If silica dust is present (which it always is with concrete), respirators or masks are required. Employers must offer fit testing and training.

• Foot Protection (1910.136): Steel toe (or composite toe) boots are a must when there’s risk of falling objects or puncture, standard fare on any concrete site.

• Hand Protection (1910.138): Gloves must match the hazard. For concrete? That means chemical-resistant and waterproof, not just basic fabric or leather.

• Hearing Protection (1910.95): Required if workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels over an 8-hour period (looking at you, jackhammers and saws).

Employer Obligations

It’s not just on the worker. By law, employers must:

• Provide PPE at no cost

• Ensure it fits properly

• Offer training on how to use and maintain it

• Replace damaged or contaminated gear

If your boss tells you to buy your own gloves or wear the same cracked face shield for a week, that’s illegal.

Common Violations That Get Crews in Trouble

• Worn-out gloves that let concrete seep through

• Missing eyewash stations when working with caustic materials

• No fit testing or mask training, even when cutting dry concrete

• Reusing contaminated PPE can lead to skin and respiratory issues

OSHA and ANSI aren’t trying to make your life harder; they’re making sure you still have skin on your hands and lungs that actually work. Good gear doesn’t just keep you legal, it keeps you alive.

The Bottom Line: Get the Gear or Get Burned

Concrete doesn’t care how long you’ve been in the trade, how tough you are, or how “quick” the job is supposed to be. If your gear’s not right, concrete will mess you up. No warning. No mercy.

The price of PPE might sting at checkout, but not half as bad as the ER bill that follows ignoring it. And don’t even start with the “my crew won’t wear it” excuse.

Give ‘em gear that fits right, breathes right, and doesn’t make them look like a crossing guard, and they’ll wear it.

We build gear that gets the job done and gets a laugh. Because nothing makes PPE more wearable than comfort, performance, and a little personality. We’re not just here to sell shirts, we’re here to keep blue-collar workers protected, proud, and damn good-looking while doing it.

You’re not invincible. But with the right gear, you get to act like it, and live to tell the story.

Looking for PPE that actually holds up (and makes your crew laugh)? Check out Armed American Supply’s hi-vis lineup. Built for abuse, designed for laughs, and guaranteed not to suck.