PPE Required by Trades – The complete list of necessary PPE based on your skilled trade

November 14, 2025

Welding — Required PPE

Auto-darkening welding helmet (proper shade)
Safety glasses (ANSI-rated) under the helmet
Welding gloves (leather, heat-rated)
Flame-resistant jacket or sleeves (FR cotton/leather)
Long pants (FR or heavy denim; no cuffs)
Leather work boots (steel/composite toe recommended)
Hearing protection (earplugs/earmuffs)
Respirator (as required for fumes/particulates)

Plumbing — Required PPE

Safety glasses or goggles (ANSI-rated)
Cut-resistant work gloves
Waterproof/chemical-resistant gloves (as needed for chemicals/sewage)
Steel/composite-toe work boots (slip-resistant)
Knee pads (for rough-in/finish work)
Hearing protection (when using loud tools)
Respirator or dust mask (as required for dust/mold/chemicals)
Protective coveralls (for crawlspaces/contamination)

Electrician — Required Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses (ANSI-rated)
Arc-rated (FR) clothing (shirt/pants or coveralls)
Voltage-rated rubber insulating gloves + leather protectors (when required)
Arc flash face shield or arc-rated hood (task-dependent)
Hard hat (Class E when required)
Dielectric safety boots (EH-rated) / non-conductive footwear
Hearing protection (especially for arc flash risk environments)
High-visibility vest (construction sites/traffic areas)

Automotive Technician — Required Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses (ANSI-rated) or face shield (grinding/cutting)
Nitrile gloves (chemicals/fluids)
Mechanic’s gloves (cut/abrasion protection)
Steel/composite-toe boots (slip-resistant)
Hearing protection (air tools/impacts)
Protective work shirt/coveralls
Respirator (as required for brake dust/paint/fumes)

Carpenter — Required Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses (ANSI-rated)
Hearing protection (saws/nailers)
Work gloves (cut/abrasion protection)
Dust mask or respirator (wood dust/MDF)
Steel/composite-toe boots (slip-resistant)
Hard hat (jobsite/overhead hazards)
High-visibility vest (active construction sites)
Knee pads (flooring/finish work)

HVAC Technician — Required Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses or goggles (ANSI-rated)
Work gloves (cut/abrasion); insulated gloves as needed
Steel/composite-toe boots (slip-resistant)
Respirator or dust mask (fiberglass/attics/mold/dust)
Hearing protection (rooftops/mechanical rooms)
Hard hat (construction/overhead work areas)
Arc-rated/FR clothing (when working in electrical panels)
Fall protection harness/lanyard (when required on roofs/lifts)

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