PPE for General Laborers | Essential Gear & Safety Guide
If you’re a general laborer, your bare-minimum gear looks like this: hard hat, safety glasses, steel toes, high-vis shirt, and gloves. Leave one behind and you’re one bad step from a busted toe or a nail in the hand.
If you’re doing general labor, there’s no need to overthink it, just cover your basics. Here’s the core PPE every laborer actually needs to stay safe and keep the safety guy off your back:
- Hard hat (Class G or E)
- Safety glasses (ANSI Z87+)
- High-vis shirt/vest (ANSI/ISEA 107)
- Cut-resistant gloves
- Steel/composite toe boots
- Hearing protection (when needed)
- Dust mask/respirator (in dusty zones)
Most PPE looks like it was made by someone who’s never swung a hammer. At Armed American, we make gear that’s tough enough for the job and funny enough to get a laugh on site.
We’re breaking down exactly what gear you need, why it matters, and how to wear it right, without looking like you borrowed it from the safety aisle at a Halloween store.
PPE by Task: Don’t Wear Welding Gear to Push a Broom
Not all tasks are created equal, and neither is the gear you need to do them safely. Throwing on every piece of PPE in your bag for a simple cleanup shift isn’t just overkill; it’s uncomfortable, unnecessary, and makes you look like Bob the Builder got lost on the way to daycare.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you actually need based on your task, not the gear hoarder's fantasy.
General Labor (Clean-Up, Lifting, Transport)
This is your bread-and-butter work. You’re moving stuff, sweeping debris, and unloading materials. Nothing explosive, but still plenty of ways to get dinged up.
Recommended PPE:
- Hard hat (always)
- Gloves (cut-resistant or general purpose)
- High-vis shirt
- Safety glasses
- Steel or composite toe boots
You don’t need a respirator or face shield for picking up scrap wood, but skip the gloves and you’re one stray nail away from a tetanus vacation.
Demolition
You’re breaking stuff, throwing stuff, and dodging whatever bounces back. PPE here isn’t optional; it’s survival gear.
Recommended PPE:
- Hard hat with chin strap (impact-ready)
- Full-seal goggles or face shield
- Respirator or dust mask
- Heavy-duty gloves (cut + impact resistant)
- Steel-toe boots with ankle support
- Flame-resistant gear if sparks or torches are in play
- Hearing protection (it gets loud, fast)
Demolition PPE is about layers and coverage. Dust, flying chunks, and unstable footing make this one of the highest-risk jobs on site.
Working Around Heavy Equipment
You’re near excavators, forklifts, cranes, aka 20,000 pounds of “please don’t miss me.”
Recommended PPE:
- Hard hat (Class G or E)
- High-vis gear with 360° reflectivity
- Safety-toe boots with slip-resistant soles
- Hearing protection (depending on equipment)
- Safety glasses
Pro Tip: Eye contact saves lives. Make sure your gear doesn’t obstruct your vision, and always be visible when working near moving machinery.
Dusty Environments
From insulation installs to concrete cutting, if you can see the air, your lungs are at risk.
Recommended PPE:
- N95 mask or half-mask respirator with particulate filters
- Safety glasses (anti-fog)
- Gloves (lightweight, breathable)
- High-vis clothing (especially indoors or in low light)
- Head covering (to keep dust out of your hair, especially when overhead work is involved)
Dust isn’t just gross, it’s hazardous. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious respiratory issues. Don’t wait for a cough to show up, gear up right.
Don’t Be Bob the Builder
You do not need:
- A welding hood if you’re pushing a broom
- A $300 respirator for a 15-minute drywall sweep
- Tactical knee pads for grabbing lunch
- An entire tool belt if your job is “hold this”
Start with the essentials. Build your gear up as your responsibilities grow. The goal is to be safe, not look like you robbed a PPE warehouse.
What OSHA Actually Requires
OSHA doesn’t micromanage every thread of your work shirt. What they do require is that employers provide and enforce PPE appropriate to the job's risks. That includes:
- Head protection when there’s a risk of impact
- Eye and face protection from flying particles or chemical splashes
- Hearing protection above 85 dB
- Respiratory protection when air quality dips below acceptable thresholds
- High-visibility gear for certain roadwork or flagging tasks
What OSHA doesn’t do? Dictate whether you wear jeans or cargo pants. That leads to…
What ANSI Ratings Actually Mean
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) isn’t the enforcement agency, but their ratings are what OSHA relies on to define “compliant” gear.
Look for these when buying or issuing PPE:
- Z87 for eye protection (impact resistance)
- Z89.1 for hard hats (impact and electrical protection)
- 107 for high-visibility clothing (defines brightness, reflectivity, and coverage)
If the gear doesn’t have the right ANSI label, it might be cheaper, but it’s not protecting anyone.
Compliance vs. Comfort
Just because it’s compliant doesn’t mean it’s wearable. You can have a shirt that checks every ANSI box and still feels like sandpaper dipped in swamp water. Workers ditch PPE when it’s bulky, hot, or doesn’t move with them, and that’s when injuries happen.
The sweet spot?
Gear that meets safety standards but also works in the real world. Breathable fabrics. Modern fits. No scratchy tags or stiff seams. It’s not fluff, it’s what keeps people wearing it.
For Procurement Pros: Don’t Just Buy in Bulk, Buy Smart
If you're in charge of outfitting a team, here's what to look for:
- Certifications: Confirm ANSI/OSHA compliance
- Fit Range: Gear that comes in S to 5XL wins every time
- Worker Feedback: Don’t just go for the cheapest bid, ask the crew what actually works
- Vendor Reputation: Don’t fall for off-brand imports with fake labels. Trust U.S.-based companies that understand jobsite culture
Speaking of which, Armed American Supply isn’t just funny shirts and slick slogans. Our gear is built to last, built to protect, and built for the guys who actually wear it.
Maintenance: When to Replace, Clean, or Retire Your Gear
Even the toughest PPE has a shelf life. Just because it survived the last job doesn’t mean it’ll survive the next one. Worn-down gear gives a false sense of security, and that’s when bad things happen fast. Here’s how to know when it’s time to clean it, fix it, or chuck it.
Gloves
Disposable gloves? One-and-done. Don’t try to stretch a pair through a whole week; they’re not made for it. If they rip, toss ’em. Reusable gloves?
Rotate a few pairs and aim to replace monthly, or sooner if they start getting stiff, torn, or smell like they’ve been buried under a porta-potty.
Respirators
Those filters on your half-mask respirator? They're not immortal. Every filter comes with a service life, based on usage hours, environment, and what you’re breathing in.
When breathing gets harder or the mask starts smelling funky, it’s time for a change. Don’t wait until your lungs are screaming.
Boots
Good boots can last a season or more, but only if you treat them right. Check for:
- Worn-down soles (slip risk)
- Cracks in the leather or composite
- Rusted or busted eyelets
- And yeah, odor. If your boots could knock out a raccoon, they’re due for a deep clean or retirement.
Helmets
Hard hats are tougher than they look, but they’re not invincible. Drop one off the scaffolding? Don’t just dust it off and pretend it’s fine. Inspect for:
- Cracks or dents in the shell
- Loose or damaged suspension
- UV damage (if it’s chalky or brittle, trash it)
A $40 helmet is way cheaper than a cracked skull. Replace every 2–5 years, even if it looks okay on the outside.
Bottom line? PPE isn’t a one-time investment. It’s a maintenance routine. The gear that keeps you safe only works if you keep it safe.
Want PPE That Doesn’t Suck? Start Here.
You don’t have time for gear that rides up, wears out, or leaves you drenched by 10 AM.
At Armed American Supply, we build hi-vis workwear that’s OSHA smart, sweat-proof, and crew-approved. No shrink, no stink, and definitely no “designed by HR Karen” energy.
Whether you're a rookie on your first cleanup crew or a veteran foreman who’s seen it all, our shirts and hoodies bring the jokes, the comfort, and the safety standards, all in one.
Built for the guys who keep America running. Worn by the ones who don't take shortcuts.
