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PPE & Workwear
PPE and workwear are legal requirements on UK construction sites, not optional safety measures. CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier stocking the complete range of construction PPE and workwear, from gloves and hard hats to hi-vis clothing, with next day UK delivery as standard and same-day delivery available UK-wide.
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PPE Requirements on UK Construction Sites
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (amended 2022) and the CDM Regulations 2015, employers must provide suitable PPE for all risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Construction sites carry a higher risk of injury than most working environments, which means the PPE requirement is more extensive than for standard workplaces. Every site worker must have access to the correct PPE for their specific role and the specific hazards they face. A single generic PPE pack does not satisfy the Regulations.
As a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, CMT Group sources every PPE product to meet the performance standards required by UK and EN safety regulations. We hold CHAS Elite accreditation, SSIP membership, and BSI ISO 9001:2015 certification. Contact our team for bulk supply, trade accounts, or project-specific PPE procurement.
- ✓ Gloves for general handling, cut resistance, chemical handling, and anti-vibration
- ✓ Hard hats and safety helmets compliant with EN 397
- ✓ Eye protection including safety glasses, goggles, and face shields
- ✓ Safety boots with steel toecap and midsole penetration protection
- ✓ Fall arrest harnesses and lanyards for working at height
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing Class 2 and Class 3 for construction and highways
- ✓ Rail clothing to Network Rail and GO/RT3279 specification
- ✓ Flame retardant and arc flash clothing for hot works and electrical environments
PPE and Workwear by Category
Hover over a category to explore the range. Click to view all products.
Personal Protection Equipment
Gloves, hard hats, eye protection, safety boots, fall arrest, ear protection, and respiratory equipment for construction site PPE compliance. BSIF-verified products meeting UK and EN safety standards.
Workwear
Trousers, jackets, boiler suits, polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, headwear, and bags for construction site workers. Durable contractor-grade workwear for daily site use in all conditions.
Hi-Vis Clothing
Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis vests, jackets, trousers, wet weather clothing, and bodywarmers compliant with EN ISO 20471. Class 3 required for work on or near live carriageways under Chapter 8.
Women's Safety Clothing
Hi-vis jackets, trousers, vests, and workwear designed and cut specifically for women working in construction and utilities. Properly fitted safety clothing improves comfort, compliance, and mobility on site.
Rail Clothing
Hi-vis orange and yellow rail clothing to Network Rail and GO/RT3279 specification for workers on or near the railway. Includes jackets, vests, trousers, and wet weather rail workwear for track and infrastructure teams.
Flame Retardant and Arc Flash
FR and arc flash rated clothing for welding, hot works, electrical, and petrochemical environments. Compliant with EN ISO 11612 for flame resistance and EN IEC 61482 for arc flash protection. Required wherever thermal flash or arc hazards are present.
PPE Requirements by Risk and Task
The correct PPE for any task is determined by the risk assessment for that activity, not by a general site PPE rule. The table below covers the minimum PPE requirements for the most common construction site tasks and environments. Contact our team if you need help specifying PPE for a specific application.
| Risk or task | PPE required | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General site access | Hard hat, hi-vis, safety boots | CDM Regs 2015; EN 397; EN ISO 20471 |
| Cutting, grinding, or drilling | Eye protection, gloves, dust mask | EN 166; EN 388; EN 149 |
| Working at height | Fall arrest harness and lanyard | Work at Height Regs 2005; EN 361 |
| Noisy power tools or plant | Ear protection (above 80dB action value) | Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005 |
| Chemical or hazardous substance handling | Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, RPE | COSHH Regs 2002; EN 374 |
| Work on or near live carriageway | Class 3 hi-vis clothing | EN ISO 20471 Class 3; Chapter 8 |
| Rail trackside or lineside | GO/RT3279 rail clothing | Network Rail GO/RT3279 |
| Hot works, welding, or arc flash risk | Flame retardant or arc flash clothing | EN ISO 11612; EN IEC 61482 |
PPE and Workwear for UK Construction Sites
PPE failure on a construction site, whether through using the wrong specification, poorly fitting equipment, or inadequately maintained products, is a compliance failure under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 and a direct risk to the health and safety of the worker. The HSE expects employers not just to provide PPE but to ensure it is the correct PPE for the specific risk, that it fits the worker correctly, and that it is maintained in serviceable condition throughout its working life.
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier and has been supplying PPE and workwear to UK construction sites for over 20 years. Our range covers every construction PPE requirement from gloves and hard hats through to fall arrest, rail clothing, and flame retardant workwear. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP same-day delivery in 2-3 hours UK-wide on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What PPE is legally required on a UK construction site?
Under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 and CDM Regulations 2015, construction sites must provide PPE for all risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. As a minimum most sites require: a safety helmet compliant with EN 397, safety footwear with steel toecap and midsole protection, hi-vis clothing appropriate to the environment, gloves appropriate to the task, and eye protection where there is a flying particle or chemical splash risk. Additional PPE is required for specific tasks.
What type of gloves do I need for construction site use?
The correct glove depends on the specific hazard. General handling gloves for manual handling and tool use. Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388 for sharp materials. Chemical-resistant gloves rated to EN 374 for solvents, adhesives, and sealants. Anti-vibration gloves to reduce hand-arm vibration exposure from power tools. Thermal gloves for cold weather working. A single glove type cannot protect against all construction hazards, and different gloves should be available for different tasks. View our full gloves range.
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Both are classified under EN ISO 20471. Class 2 has a minimum of 0.5m² of fluorescent material and is suitable for most construction environments. Class 3 has a minimum of 0.8m² and is required for work on or near live carriageways under Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8. If in doubt, Class 3 is the safer specification as it provides the higher level of visibility in all conditions. View our full hi-vis range.
What is GO/RT3279 rail clothing?
GO/RT3279 is the Network Rail Group Standard specifying hi-vis clothing requirements for all workers on or near the operational railway. Rail clothing must be orange or yellow fluorescent with retroreflective banding to a specific pattern and performance level, and must bear the GO/RT3279 or equivalent compliance marking. Standard EN ISO 20471 Class 3 hi-vis is not sufficient for rail trackside work. GO/RT3279 compliant clothing is required for anyone working in a possession or near the line. View our rail clothing range.
Why buy PPE and workwear from CMT Group?
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, the industry's most specific credential for PPE suppliers, confirming that every product meets the strict safety standards of the British Safety Industry Federation. We have been supplying PPE and workwear to UK construction sites for over 20 years, covering every requirement from gloves and hard hats to fall arrest, rail clothing, and flame retardant workwear from a single supplier. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK with next day delivery standard and VIP same-day delivery in 2-3 hours UK-wide on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes.
Hard Hat vs Safety Helmet: Is There a Difference?
In the UK construction industry, hard hat and safety helmet are used interchangeably and refer to the same product: a rigid protective headwear device compliant with EN 397. The term "hard hat" is more common on construction sites in everyday use, while "safety helmet" is the more formal term used in safety legislation and standards. Both protect against falling objects, overhead hazards, and lateral impact.
The more meaningful distinction in current practice is between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets. Type 1 helmets meet the standard EN 397 requirements for top-of-head protection. Type 2 helmets include additional lateral impact protection to the sides and front of the head, and are increasingly required by principal contractors and clients as a mandatory site standard. If your client or principal contractor specifies "Type 2 head protection" or "bump cap with lateral protection", this refers to helmets providing lateral impact protection beyond the EN 397 minimum. View our full head protection range.
Accreditations and memberships
Shop PPE and Workwear by Category
PPE & Workwear
PPE and workwear are legal requirements on UK construction sites, not optional safety measures. CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier stocking the complete range of construction PPE and workwear, from gloves and hard hats to hi-vis clothing, with next day UK delivery as standard and same-day delivery available UK-wide.
Read more Read less
PPE Requirements on UK Construction Sites
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (amended 2022) and the CDM Regulations 2015, employers must provide suitable PPE for all risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Construction sites carry a higher risk of injury than most working environments, which means the PPE requirement is more extensive than for standard workplaces. Every site worker must have access to the correct PPE for their specific role and the specific hazards they face. A single generic PPE pack does not satisfy the Regulations.
As a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, CMT Group sources every PPE product to meet the performance standards required by UK and EN safety regulations. We hold CHAS Elite accreditation, SSIP membership, and BSI ISO 9001:2015 certification. Contact our team for bulk supply, trade accounts, or project-specific PPE procurement.
- ✓ Gloves for general handling, cut resistance, chemical handling, and anti-vibration
- ✓ Hard hats and safety helmets compliant with EN 397
- ✓ Eye protection including safety glasses, goggles, and face shields
- ✓ Safety boots with steel toecap and midsole penetration protection
- ✓ Fall arrest harnesses and lanyards for working at height
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing Class 2 and Class 3 for construction and highways
- ✓ Rail clothing to Network Rail and GO/RT3279 specification
- ✓ Flame retardant and arc flash clothing for hot works and electrical environments
PPE and Workwear by Category
Hover over a category to explore the range. Click to view all products.
Personal Protection Equipment
Gloves, hard hats, eye protection, safety boots, fall arrest, ear protection, and respiratory equipment for construction site PPE compliance. BSIF-verified products meeting UK and EN safety standards.
Workwear
Trousers, jackets, boiler suits, polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, headwear, and bags for construction site workers. Durable contractor-grade workwear for daily site use in all conditions.
Hi-Vis Clothing
Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis vests, jackets, trousers, wet weather clothing, and bodywarmers compliant with EN ISO 20471. Class 3 required for work on or near live carriageways under Chapter 8.
Women's Safety Clothing
Hi-vis jackets, trousers, vests, and workwear designed and cut specifically for women working in construction and utilities. Properly fitted safety clothing improves comfort, compliance, and mobility on site.
Rail Clothing
Hi-vis orange and yellow rail clothing to Network Rail and GO/RT3279 specification for workers on or near the railway. Includes jackets, vests, trousers, and wet weather rail workwear for track and infrastructure teams.
Flame Retardant and Arc Flash
FR and arc flash rated clothing for welding, hot works, electrical, and petrochemical environments. Compliant with EN ISO 11612 for flame resistance and EN IEC 61482 for arc flash protection. Required wherever thermal flash or arc hazards are present.
PPE Requirements by Risk and Task
The correct PPE for any task is determined by the risk assessment for that activity, not by a general site PPE rule. The table below covers the minimum PPE requirements for the most common construction site tasks and environments. Contact our team if you need help specifying PPE for a specific application.
| Risk or task | PPE required | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General site access | Hard hat, hi-vis, safety boots | CDM Regs 2015; EN 397; EN ISO 20471 |
| Cutting, grinding, or drilling | Eye protection, gloves, dust mask | EN 166; EN 388; EN 149 |
| Working at height | Fall arrest harness and lanyard | Work at Height Regs 2005; EN 361 |
| Noisy power tools or plant | Ear protection (above 80dB action value) | Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005 |
| Chemical or hazardous substance handling | Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, RPE | COSHH Regs 2002; EN 374 |
| Work on or near live carriageway | Class 3 hi-vis clothing | EN ISO 20471 Class 3; Chapter 8 |
| Rail trackside or lineside | GO/RT3279 rail clothing | Network Rail GO/RT3279 |
| Hot works, welding, or arc flash risk | Flame retardant or arc flash clothing | EN ISO 11612; EN IEC 61482 |
PPE and Workwear for UK Construction Sites
PPE failure on a construction site, whether through using the wrong specification, poorly fitting equipment, or inadequately maintained products, is a compliance failure under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 and a direct risk to the health and safety of the worker. The HSE expects employers not just to provide PPE but to ensure it is the correct PPE for the specific risk, that it fits the worker correctly, and that it is maintained in serviceable condition throughout its working life.
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier and has been supplying PPE and workwear to UK construction sites for over 20 years. Our range covers every construction PPE requirement from gloves and hard hats through to fall arrest, rail clothing, and flame retardant workwear. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK with next day delivery standard on orders placed by 5pm by phone or 7pm online, and VIP same-day delivery in 2-3 hours UK-wide on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What PPE is legally required on a UK construction site?
Under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 and CDM Regulations 2015, construction sites must provide PPE for all risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. As a minimum most sites require: a safety helmet compliant with EN 397, safety footwear with steel toecap and midsole protection, hi-vis clothing appropriate to the environment, gloves appropriate to the task, and eye protection where there is a flying particle or chemical splash risk. Additional PPE is required for specific tasks.
What type of gloves do I need for construction site use?
The correct glove depends on the specific hazard. General handling gloves for manual handling and tool use. Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388 for sharp materials. Chemical-resistant gloves rated to EN 374 for solvents, adhesives, and sealants. Anti-vibration gloves to reduce hand-arm vibration exposure from power tools. Thermal gloves for cold weather working. A single glove type cannot protect against all construction hazards, and different gloves should be available for different tasks. View our full gloves range.
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Both are classified under EN ISO 20471. Class 2 has a minimum of 0.5m² of fluorescent material and is suitable for most construction environments. Class 3 has a minimum of 0.8m² and is required for work on or near live carriageways under Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8. If in doubt, Class 3 is the safer specification as it provides the higher level of visibility in all conditions. View our full hi-vis range.
What is GO/RT3279 rail clothing?
GO/RT3279 is the Network Rail Group Standard specifying hi-vis clothing requirements for all workers on or near the operational railway. Rail clothing must be orange or yellow fluorescent with retroreflective banding to a specific pattern and performance level, and must bear the GO/RT3279 or equivalent compliance marking. Standard EN ISO 20471 Class 3 hi-vis is not sufficient for rail trackside work. GO/RT3279 compliant clothing is required for anyone working in a possession or near the line. View our rail clothing range.
Why buy PPE and workwear from CMT Group?
CMT Group is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, the industry's most specific credential for PPE suppliers, confirming that every product meets the strict safety standards of the British Safety Industry Federation. We have been supplying PPE and workwear to UK construction sites for over 20 years, covering every requirement from gloves and hard hats to fall arrest, rail clothing, and flame retardant workwear from a single supplier. We operate our own fleet of 100+ FORS Gold accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK with next day delivery standard and VIP same-day delivery in 2-3 hours UK-wide on a dedicated vehicle dispatched within 30 minutes.
Hard Hat vs Safety Helmet: Is There a Difference?
In the UK construction industry, hard hat and safety helmet are used interchangeably and refer to the same product: a rigid protective headwear device compliant with EN 397. The term "hard hat" is more common on construction sites in everyday use, while "safety helmet" is the more formal term used in safety legislation and standards. Both protect against falling objects, overhead hazards, and lateral impact.
The more meaningful distinction in current practice is between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets. Type 1 helmets meet the standard EN 397 requirements for top-of-head protection. Type 2 helmets include additional lateral impact protection to the sides and front of the head, and are increasingly required by principal contractors and clients as a mandatory site standard. If your client or principal contractor specifies "Type 2 head protection" or "bump cap with lateral protection", this refers to helmets providing lateral impact protection beyond the EN 397 minimum. View our full head protection range.
Accreditations and memberships
