PPE for Contractors: What You Actually Need

Nov 20, 2025

No one wakes up excited to strap on a sweaty vest or adjust their hard hat for the tenth time that day.

But when the job goes sideways, a grinder kicks, a ladder slips, or some rookie drops a wrench from two stories up, that PPE suddenly becomes the difference between clocking out and getting carted out.

A list of must-have PPE items for contractors:

Hard hat (impact-rated)
Safety glasses with side shields
Hearing protection (earplugs/muffs)
Respirator for dust/chemicals
Task-specific gloves
Steel-toe, slip-resistant boots
ANSI Class 2/3 hi-vis gear
Fall protection harness & lanyard

Whether you're new to the trades, leading a crew, or just tired of gear that sucks, here’s your straight-shooting, OSHA-aware, job-tested survival manual.

We're breaking down what PPE you actually need, how to make sure it fits, and why culture matters just as much as compliance. Because in this industry, safety isn’t just a regulation; it’s how you keep showing up. And looking good doing it doesn’t hurt either.

👉 Ready to wear gear that protects and gets a few laughs? Shop funny hi-vis work shirts that'll make OSHA nod and your crew crack up.

PPE Requirements for Contractors: What OSHA Actually Expects

When it comes to PPE, forget generic lists. Real safety depends on matching gear to the actual risks you’re facing that day. Here’s a no-fluff checklist based on hazard, not just your job title.

Head: Hard hats that fit right. ANSI Type I or II, depending on whether you need protection from just above or side impacts, too. No more “one size fits nobody” buckets.
Eyes: Anti-fog, wraparound safety glasses with side shields. Bonus points for ones that don’t slide off your face the moment you start sweating.
Ears: Earplugs or earmuffs, depending on the noise level. If your tools scream louder than a jet engine, it’s time to protect your hearing before it’s gone for good.
Lungs: Respirators for dust, paint, silica, or any hazardous fumes. Not your $1 hardware store mask. Fit-tested, OSHA-approved protection is what you need.
Hands: Gloves that match the hazard. Vibration-dampening for demo work, cut-resistant for framing, chemical-safe for plumbing or insulation jobs. Oven mitts need not apply.
Feet: Steel-toe boots are the minimum. Look for slip-resistant soles, puncture protection, and arch support that won’t leave you limping by 3 PM.
High-visibility: ANSI Class 2 or 3 vests or shirts. Especially if you’re working near traffic, heavy equipment, or low-light conditions. And yes, they can still look good.
Fall protection: A full arrest system. Harness, lanyard, anchor points, and training. Not just a dusty harness hanging in the truck.

Don’t just “look” safe, be safe. And yeah, you can still look like a legend doing it. Grab jobsite-approved hi-vis gear that passes code and crew approval.

Common PPE Mistakes Contractors Make

Even the most experienced crews can fall into bad habits. And when it comes to PPE, those habits don’t just risk fines, they risk fingers, lungs, hearing, and your ability to get the job done tomorrow.

Here’s where contractors blow it most often and how to fix it.

Skipping Training or Faking It

Look, slapping on a harness doesn’t mean you’re protected. If a guy ties off to the wrong anchor point or adjusts a respirator like it's a Halloween mask, that gear becomes dead weight.

OSHA doesn’t just require PPE; it requires training on how to use it, inspect it, and maintain it.

Skip that step, and you’re not just rolling the dice with safety. You’re also rolling the dice with your wallet. Fines for improper use are just as bad as for not using it at all.

And in an accident? That "I didn’t know" excuse won’t hold up in court or on the jobsite.

Reusing Worn-Out Gear

This one’s sneaky. PPE doesn’t always look broken until it fails when you need it most.

Helmets have expiration dates and lose integrity after a few solid impacts or too much UV exposure.
Respirators get clogged with dust and chemical buildup, making it harder to breathe safely, or at all.
High-vis gear fades over time, especially if it’s never washed. Once it’s dull, you might as well be invisible at night.

If your gear hasn’t been inspected lately, assume it’s halfway to failure.

✅ From head to steel toe, you’ve got hazards, and we’ve got jokes to match every layer. Outfit your crew in high-vis shirts that say, “Yeah I follow OSHA... sorta.”.

Buying Cheap and Paying Later

That $8 pair of gloves might look like a deal until they rip halfway through unloading rebar. Cheap gear doesn’t save money. It just pushes the cost downstream into injuries, downtime, and replacements.

Cheap glasses fog and slide off.
Bargain boots soak through by 10 AM.
Budget respirators offer protection in name only.

Honest take? You’ll replace garbage gear two or three times before the good stuff even starts to wear. Buy once. Cry once. Then get back to work.

Safety Isn’t a Burden, It’s a Badge

You don’t wear PPE for a sticker or a lecture. You wear it so you can show up again tomorrow for your family, your crew, and the next job. Let your gear do the talking. Let it protect you. If it can make the crew laugh and keep you whole, that’s a win.

You’ve earned the right to be safe and proud of the gear you wear. Want stuff that fits, breathes, and doesn’t get you roasted by the crew? Start with Armed American Supply, built by guys who work the same jobs you do and care about the same things you do.