Warehouse PPE (personal protective equipment) covers various items of clothing and accessories that play a vital role in preventing accidents, injuries and illnesses when working in a warehouse environment.
While working in a warehouse can be a rewarding job, it is unfortunately not without its risks to personal safety. In particular, the combination of moving machinery and heavy loads can present many hazards to those working in warehouses, as well as those visiting or inspecting them.
It is the responsibility of employers to provide PPE to protect workers, regardless of the industry they may work within and warehouses are no exception.
Employers must consult the latest HSE guidance to determine the warehouse PPE required in each case.
In the meantime, the Metreel team is here to explain 7 of the most common types of warehouse PPE that are often needed to keep workers safe.
The Most Dangerous Warehouse Hazards Which MakeWarehouse PPE Essential
- Moving machinery
- Possible exposure to extreme temperatures or hazardous materials
- Loud noise
- Slips, trips and falls
- Falling objects
- Liquid aerosols, dust and fumes
- Any other risks unique to a specific warehouse
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Eyewear PPE
The activities that take place in warehouses can pose hazards to the eyes through flying debris or harmful light exposure such as UV light, blue light or LED lights. The face, eyes, nose, mouth and neck can also be subject to chemical splashes, irritation or flying debris within industrial environments. Therefore, any PPE worn must protect the eyesight, skin and other facial features.
Examples of eyewear PPE include:
- Chemical splash goggles
- Face shields
- Laser safety glasses
- Safety glasses
- Safety goggles
- Welding helmets
Many eyewear PPE types can be adapted to ensure that other senses are not inhibited, to maximise safety. For instance, some safety glasses can be prescriptive, ensuring the wearer still has adequate vision when performing tasks such as using machinery or driving a forklift.
Depending on what threat to eye health exists, it may be necessary to wear full safety goggles. Alternatively, safety glasses with built in filters can ensure workers can still see clearly but harmful light types have been filtered out. With any type of safety glasses or goggles, the eye shield must fully wrap around all angles to offer the maximum level of protection.
Ear PPE
If sound levels in a workplace exceed 85dB then ear defenders must be legally worn to protect the hearing of workers. Although, for noisy work in general, ear defenders in the form of headphones or earplugs should always be offered to employees.
Examples of ear PPE include:
- Ear defenders
- Ear plugs
One consideration in a warehouse environment is that if ear defenders are worn, workers may not hear hazards such as moving machinery approaching. So a risk assessment needs to be carried out to ensure employees remain physically safe, including in the event of a fire alarm among any other scenario where a reduced ability to hear could cause additional hazards.
Respiratory PPE
Face masks have become the most recognisable type of PPE in recent years. While face masks may be worn to prevent respiratory transmission of viruses, higher grade masks can prevent dust, fumes and other harmful particles from entering the lungs.
Examples of respiratory PPE include:
- Disposable face masks (surgical masks, N95, FFP2, FPP3 etc.)
- Full face respirators
- Powered air purifying Respirators (PAPRs)
- Supplied air respirators (SARs)
The exact grade of face mask will need to be determined based on the activities in the warehouse and potential risks. Some high grade face mask types include FFP2, FFP3 and N95. Although for workers that come into contact with hazardous fumes, a respiratory hood or helmet kit may be required.
Body PPE
High visibility clothing is essential in a warehouse to ensure everyone can be clearly seen. Some high visibility clothing types include jackets, t-shirts, trousers and waistcoats.
Examples of body PPE include:
- Back support belts
- Cold weather clothing
- Coveralls (chemical or flame resistant)
- High-vis clothing
- Safety harness
Care must be taken to maintain high visibility clothing, as it will lose its reflective qualities after around 25 washes. When this happens, the worker may no longer be visible in low lighting conditions including from a distance. For warehouses that have distribution centres, clear visibility is even more important when working outside or alongside moving distribution vehicles.
Head PPE
Headwear PPE varies across different levels of impact, along with the types of risk that can be protected against. Alongside physical impact from a sharp or heavy object, this may include electrical shocks or chemical splashes. Some warehouse PPE intended to provide head protection also offers extended protection for the eyes and face. An example is when head protection has a visor that sheilds the wearer against damaging sparks and bright light.
Examples of head PPE:
- Balaclava face masks
- Bump caps
- Cold weather helmets
- Electrical safety helmets
- High-heat helmets and visors
- Safety helmets
- Welding helmets
PPE for the head must conform to various safety standards and regulations, such as EN 397:2012/EN 12492:2012. The head circumference of the wearer must also be measured to ensure a secure fit.
Footwear PPE
All kinds of injuries can occur to the toes, foot bones, ankles or soft tissue of the feet within a warehouse. This includes the risk of impact due to falling debris as well as the risks posed by moving machinery. As a result, warehouse PPE must take a head-to-toe approach to also consider the need to wear safety shoes.
Examples of footwear PPE:
- Chemical resistant boots
- Insulated boots
- Metatarsal guards
- Safety shoes
- Slip-resistant boots
- Static dissipative shoes
- Steel toe cap boots
- Waterproof boots
- Welding boots
Safety shoes can have steel toe caps and metatarsal protection, as well as properties such as being slip-resistant. Though the key to a great safety shoe is investing in a good quality brand, which offers a high level of comfort for workers without compromising on safety features.
Hand PPE
In a warehouse environment, hand injuries are common due to repetitive tasks and harsh environmental conditions. Injuries may arise due to cuts from packaging including cardboard or strapping. Frequent washing of hands may lead to painful, dry cracked skin. Extreme temperatures or hazards could cause burns or other injuries to the skin.
Examples of hand PPE include:
- Cold weather gloves
- Cut resistant gloves
- Disposable gloves
- Electrical resistant gloves
- Heat resistant gloves
- Impact resistant gloves
- Vibration resistant gloves
- Welding gloves
As with other types of warehouse PPE, there is a wide variety of safety gloves that can be worn by warehouse workers. All gloves have a different level of abrasion protection, as well as various other properties geared for specific environments and usage applications.
Warehouse PPE FAQs
Still have some questions about PPE for warehouses? We’ve answered some of the most popular queries below.
What PPE Is Required In A Warehouse?
Warehouses typically require a core set of PPE depending on the tasks being carried out. This includes safety footwear (steel or composite toecap), high-visibility vests or jackets, hard hats in areas with overhead work or moving plant, gloves suited to manual handling, and safety glasses where there is a risk of flying debris. Hearing protection may also be required in noisy environments. Employers must assess each area of the warehouse and provide appropriate PPE at no cost to the worker.
Is PPE A Legal Requirement In Warehouses?
Yes. Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers are legally required to provide suitable PPE wherever there is a risk to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. PPE should be treated as a last line of defence, used alongside engineering controls and safe systems of work. Failure to provide appropriate PPE can result in enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive.
What Footwear Is Required For Warehouse Work?
Safety footwear is one of the most important items of PPE in a warehouse environment. Steel or composite toecap boots protect against falling or rolling objects, while slip-resistant soles reduce the risk of trips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces. Anti-static footwear may be required in environments where flammable materials are stored. Footwear should meet the EN ISO 20345 standard as a minimum and be inspected regularly for wear or damage.
Do Warehouse Workers Need To Wear High Visibility Clothing?
High-visibility clothing is required wherever pedestrians share space with moving vehicles such as forklifts, pallet trucks, or delivery vehicles. It significantly reduces the risk of workers being struck in areas of low light or heavy activity. Hi-vis vests and jackets should comply with EN ISO 20471, and the appropriate class of garment should be selected based on the level of risk. It is the employer’s responsibility to assess which areas of the warehouse require hi-vis to be worn.
What Gloves Should Warehouse Workers Use?
The right gloves for warehouse workers depend on the specific task. Cut-resistant gloves are suited to handling sharp-edged materials or packaging, while general-purpose handling gloves provide grip and protect against abrasion during manual handling. Anti-vibration gloves may be needed for workers using power tools or machinery. Gloves should meet the relevant EN standards for their intended use and be replaced when damaged or worn. Employers should specify the correct glove type as part of their PPE risk assessment.
What PPE Is Needed When Working At Height In A Warehouse?
Working at height in a warehouse, such as on mezzanine floors, racking access platforms, or pickers, requires fall protection equipment in addition to standard warehouse PPE. This may include safety harnesses, lanyards, and inertia reels where fall arrest systems are in use, along with hard hats to protect against falling objects. Equipment must comply with EN 361 (full body harnesses) and EN 355 (energy absorbers) and be inspected before each use in line with EN 365.
How Often Should Warehouse PPE Be Inspected?
PPE should be inspected before each use and formally examined at regular intervals in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and relevant standards. Under EN 365, fall protection equipment must be inspected by a competent person at least annually, with records kept for each item. Safety footwear, gloves and hi-vis clothing should be visually checked for damage, deterioration or excessive wear. Any PPE that fails inspection must be withdrawn from use immediately and replaced.
Metreel – Manual Handling Equipment For Safer Warehouses
Now that your workers have been kitted out with some of our most recommended items of PPE for warehouse environments, it’s time to equip them with the right material handling solutions. With manual handling injuries being some of the most common injury types within a warehouse setting, there’s never been a better time to protect your team.
Metreel is a leading UK manufacturer and installer of manual handling equipment including Jib Cranes, Workstation Cranes, Track Systems, Gantry Cranes, Monorails and Hoists, Balancers & Winches.
Click on any of the above product categories to learn more about how material handling equipment can make your workplace safer while improving productivity for your business.
Or, head over to our product brochure page to discover our full range of industrial solutions.
If you’re ready to place an order or have any questions, please give us a call on 0115 647 0451 or email us at [email protected].