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5-point PPE is the basic kit most UK construction sites expect everyone to wear: a hard hat, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves and eye protection. It is a site and contractor rule rather than a legal term, but the law does require your employer to provide the PPE you need free of charge, and you must wear it and look after it.
What 5-point PPE actually means
You will not find “5-point PPE” in any regulation. It is shorthand that principal contractors and site managers use for their minimum site rules, so everyone arrives with the same basic kit. What the law requires is that PPE is suitable for the risks identified in the risk assessment, which is why some sites ask for more than five points and some tasks need different kit altogether.
The five points
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Hard hat | Industrial safety helmet to EN 397, or a climbing-style helmet to EN 12492 with a chin strap where it must stay on, for example when working at height. Check the date of manufacture and the harness, and replace it after a significant impact or as the maker advises. |
| Hi-vis | Clothing to EN ISO 20471. Class 2 is a common site minimum; many sites want Class 3 (for example jackets or long sleeves) near traffic and plant. |
| Safety boots | Footwear to EN ISO 20345, which means toe protection. Most sites also want a penetration-resistant midsole, so look for S1P or S3. |
| Gloves | Chosen for the task. EN 388 covers mechanical risks such as abrasion, cuts and punctures; chemical work needs gloves to EN ISO 374. Gloves should not be relied on to control vibration exposure. |
| Eye protection | Safety glasses or goggles to EN 166. Goggles or a visor for grinding, cutting and dusty work. |
Some sites add a sixth or seventh point, such as hearing protection or a mask that has passed face-fit testing. The site induction will tell you what is expected.
What the law says
In Great Britain, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable PPE where risks cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, and to maintain it, store it, and give people the information, instruction and training to use it. Since 6 April 2022 those duties also cover limb (b) workers: people who work under a contract for services rather than an employment contract, often on a casual or irregular basis, but who are not self-employed. HSE is clear that workers cannot be charged for PPE they need to do their job, and for employees section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 rules out charging for anything provided to meet a specific legal requirement.
Head protection on construction sites has been covered by the same regulations since 6 April 2013, when the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 were revoked. HSE says that on almost all construction sites the risk of head injury means head protection must be worn.
PPE is the last line of defence
PPE only protects the person wearing it, and only when it fits and is worn properly. That is why it comes last in the hierarchy of controls, after removing the hazard, substituting something safer, engineering controls and safe systems of work. A good site plans out the risk first and uses PPE for what is left.
Your pre-start checklist
- Hard hat in date, no cracks, harness adjusted.
- Hi-vis clean, not faded, fastened.
- Boots in good condition, soles not worn through.
- The right gloves for today’s task.
- Glasses or goggles clean and scratch-free.
- Any task-specific kit (ear defenders, mask, harness) checked before use.
- Damaged or missing kit reported to your supervisor.
Your responsibilities as a worker
- Wear PPE as instructed and as trained.
- Look after it and store it properly.
- Report loss or damage straight away.
- Never alter it, for example by drilling a hard hat or cutting gloves.
Getting onto site
Most sites also ask for a CSCS card. For new starters, the usual route to the green Labourer card is the one-day CITB Health and Safety Awareness course plus the CITB HS&E test. Supervisors who need to check PPE across a team should look at SSSTS.
Frequently asked questions
What is 5-point PPE?
A hard hat, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves and eye protection: the basic kit most UK construction sites require. It is a site and contractor rule, not a term used in the law.
Does my employer have to pay for PPE?
Yes. Where PPE is needed, it must be provided free of charge under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and, for employees, section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
How often should a hard hat be replaced?
Follow the manufacturer’s guidance and check the date of manufacture, and replace it straight away after a significant impact or if it is damaged.
Do casual and zero-hours workers get PPE?
Since 6 April 2022 the PPE duties also cover limb (b) workers, which includes many people on casual or irregular contracts who are not self-employed. Only a court or tribunal can decide a particular person’s employment status.
Read the source
Sources: the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022) on legislation.gov.uk, section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, HSE guidance on the 2022 PPE changes and on PPE in construction, the relevant BS EN and BS EN ISO standards, and the Acadame CITB Health and Safety Awareness course page. Facts checked on 6 November 2026.
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