Personal protective equipment (PPE) is anything worn or used to reduce the risk of harm, such as gloves, respirators and hard hats. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) it is the last resort in the hierarchy of controls, but where PPE is used the business must provide it and workers must use it as instructed.
This guide covers what counts as PPE, where it sits in the Queensland hierarchy of control measures, what a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and workers must do, and how to choose, check and record PPE. Not sure if you are a PCBU? See what is a PCBU.
What counts as PPE?
The Queensland approved Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 describes PPE as anything used or worn by a person to minimise risk to the person’s health and safety. The approved codes of practice we checked give these examples:
| Type | Examples named in the approved codes we checked |
|---|---|
| Head | Hard hats |
| Eyes and face | Protective eyewear, chemical resistant glasses, face shields (for example when using a concrete cutting saw) |
| Hearing | Ear muffs and earplugs (the noise code calls them personal hearing protectors) |
| Breathing | Respirators, face masks, air-supplied respiratory equipment |
| Hands, feet and body | Gloves, footwear, overalls, aprons |
| Sun and visibility | Wide brim hat, long-sleeved collared shirt, long pants, sunglasses and sunscreen for outdoor work; high visibility vests |
| Falls | Fall arrest harness and lanyard, as part of an individual fall arrest system |
These come from the Queensland approved codes on managing WHS risks, hazardous chemicals, plant, excavation work, the work environment and facilities, and falls. They are examples, not a closed list. For specific items, see our guides on clothing safety, safety glasses, hand protection, hearing loss and sun safety.
Why is PPE the last resort?
Section 35 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) says a duty holder must eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable. Section 36 then sets the order for minimising risk:
- Substitute the hazard, isolate it from people, or use engineering controls (section 36(3)).
- If a risk remains, use administrative controls such as procedures, signs and training (section 36(4)).
- If a risk still remains, ensure the provision and use of suitable PPE (section 36(5)).
The Note to section 36 says a combination of controls may be used if a single control is not enough, so PPE often sits alongside higher controls.
The approved How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021 explains why. Administrative controls and PPE do not control the hazard at the source and rely on human behaviour and supervision, so they should only be used to supplement higher level controls, as a short-term interim measure, or when there are no other practical controls available. Its example: not using a noisy machine is more effective than providing workers with hearing protection. The approved hazardous chemicals code adds that for some high risk activities, such as spray-painting and abrasive blasting, PPE should always supplement higher level controls.
An approved code of practice is guidance rather than law in itself. However, section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) requires a PCBU to comply with an approved code or manage the risk in a different way that provides an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety, and a court can rely on a code when deciding what is reasonably practicable (section 275). For the full ladder, read our hierarchy of controls guide, and for the basics behind it, hazard vs risk.
What must the business provide?
Section 44 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) applies when PPE is to be used to minimise a risk under section 36. The PCBU who directs the carrying out of work must:
- Provide the PPE to workers at the workplace, unless another PCBU has already provided it (the example in the Regulation is equipment provided by a labour hire company).
- Select it to minimise risk. It must be suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work, and a suitable size and fit and reasonably comfortable for the worker who will use it.
- Keep it working. It must be maintained, repaired or replaced so it continues to minimise risk, including by being clean and hygienic and in good working order.
- Make sure it is used or worn by the worker, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Give information, training and instruction on the proper use and wearing of the PPE and on its storage and maintenance (section 44(4)).
Section 45 also requires the PCBU, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure PPE worn by anyone other than a worker at the workplace is capable of minimising their risk and that they wear it.
Who pays for PPE?
The Note to section 44 says a PCBU must not charge or impose a levy on a worker for the provision of PPE, and refers to section 273 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld). Section 273 says a PCBU must not impose, or permit the imposition of, a levy or charge on a worker for anything done or provided in relation to work health and safety.
What must workers do?
Section 46 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) applies when the PCBU provides a worker with PPE. The worker must:
- use or wear it, so far as the worker is reasonably able, in accordance with the information, training or reasonable instruction given;
- not intentionally misuse or damage it; and
- tell the PCBU about any damage, defect or need to clean or decontaminate it, if the worker becomes aware of it.
Section 28 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) adds the general worker duties, including taking reasonable care for their own safety, complying with reasonable instructions and co-operating with notified health and safety policies. A cracked hard hat or split glove should go straight back to the supervisor.
How to choose PPE that actually works
- Start from the hazard. Use hazard identification and your risk assessment to decide what the PPE must protect against, and whether a higher control is possible first.
- Match the PPE to the task. The approved hazardous chemicals code says some gloves resist some solvents but not others, so choose gloves with the best resistance to the chemical in use. It also gives the example of a full-face air-fed respirator rather than a half-face respirator for spray-painting with isocyanates. See safety data sheets.
- Check size, fit and comfort. Section 44(3)(a)(ii) makes this a legal requirement.
- Involve the people who wear it. For hearing protectors, the approved noise code says to involve workers in selection and offer a reasonable choice from a range of types. It points to AS/NZS 1269.3 for selection and maintenance of hearing protectors.
- Check items work together. The noise code warns that hard hats, dust masks and eye protection may affect hearing protector performance, so check the fit with regular work equipment on.
- Watch it being used. The hazardous chemicals code says the best way to test PPE is to observe workers doing the task. If they discard it, it may not fit, may be uncomfortable or may be a hindrance to the work.
Inspecting PPE and keeping records
Section 44 does not set a particular register or checklist format. The table below is a practical approach built from what the approved codes say to check. Records and timing are common practice, not legal requirements, so set them from the manufacturer’s instructions and your risk assessment.
| PPE | What to check | Suggested record |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing protectors | Ear-muff seals undamaged, headband tension not reduced, no unofficial modifications; disposable earplugs worn once only (noise code) | Issue date, inspection date, who replaced what |
| Respirators | Straps, face piece, seal, nose piece and exhalation valve; a fit check each time (asbestos removal code) | Pre-use check and filter or cartridge change |
| Gloves, eyewear, hard hats, footwear | Damage, wear, cleanliness and suitability for the task | Issue register: date, size, item |
| Fall arrest harness and lanyard | Selected, installed and used correctly; workers trained in use (falls code) | Inspection record and training record |
Our free toolbox meeting template is a simple way to record a PPE briefing, which also helps show the training required by section 44(4).
Common PPE mistakes
- Using PPE instead of a better control. If the hazard can be guarded, isolated or removed, PPE is only the back-up.
- One size fits all. Section 44(3)(a)(ii) requires a suitable size and fit for the worker using it.
- The wrong respirator or glove for the chemical. Check the safety data sheet.
- Skipping the fit test where the code asks for it. The approved asbestos removal code says a fit test should be performed so a respirator fits the individual and gives a good face seal, and that workers with beards, stubble or facial hair should use a continuous-flow positive pressure respirator. That wording is for asbestos removal. Read the code for your hazard.
- Taking it off briefly. The noise code says removing hearing protectors even for short periods significantly reduces protection.
- Dirty or damaged PPE kept in service. Section 44(3)(b) requires it to be clean, hygienic and in good working order.
- No training. Section 44(4) requires training and instruction in proper use, storage and maintenance.
PPE, SWMS, JSA and Take 5
Section 299(2)(c) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) requires a safe work method statement (SWMS) for high risk construction work to describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks. Section 299(4) adds that if a SWMS for work involving a risk of a fall of more than 2 m states the only controls will be administrative controls or PPE, it must describe all the control measures considered (including by addressing the general fall protection requirements in section 79(3)).
For other work, a job safety analysis or a Take 5 check is a quick way to confirm the right PPE is on hand and in good condition before starting. See safe work procedure vs SWMS for how they fit together.
Templates to help
If you need a written system, our PPE policy template (Word) covers who provides, maintains and replaces PPE. Pair it with the free risk assessment template to record why PPE was chosen, and the clothing safety guidelines toolbox meeting template to brief the crew.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the current law or talk to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for your situation.
Templates for this job
Ready-to-edit Word and Excel templates for Queensland workplaces.
