Safety Equipment
Dust masks, ear defenders, safety glasses, hard hats, hi-vis vests, knee pads, steel toe boots, and work gloves - the PPE that keeps you safe on a UK extension construction site.
A construction site is a genuinely hazardous environment. Dust from cutting brick, block and concrete contains silica, which causes silicosis. An angle grinder cutting steel is loud enough to damage hearing in minutes. One piece of falling debris can end a project manager's day, or worse.
Most homeowners on site for the first time either ignore PPE entirely or buy cheap kit that gives false confidence. These guides set out what protection you actually need, what the ratings mean, and what is worth spending money on versus where the basic version is fine.
You do not need to wear full PPE every minute you are on site. You do need to know which jobs demand which protection, and to have it within reach when you need it.
Where to start
Dust, noise and eyes cause the damage you don't notice until later, so start there. Read FFP3 dust masks to understand silica and when a lighter mask is not enough, ear defenders to match protection to the tools in use, and safety glasses for the eye rating that suits site work.
The guides, grouped by job
Breathing. FFP2 dust masks for lighter dust and FFP3 masks for cutting masonry and stripping paint that may contain lead, with how to get a proper seal.
Hearing, eyes and face. Ear defenders, safety glasses and a face shield for grinding and cutting, where glasses alone are not enough.
Head and visibility. The hard hat, including when you actually need one on a domestic build, and the hi-vis vest.
Hands, knees and feet. Work gloves by type, knee pads for flooring and tiling, and steel-toe boots with the safety codes decoded.
Where these fit in the build
Have basic kit on site from the first strip-out day, covered in skip hire and site setup. The dustiest and noisiest days are excavation and muck-away, walls and blockwork and steels and lintels. Knee pads earn their keep during tiling and flooring.
FFP2 Dust Masks: What They Filter, When They're Enough, and When You Need More
The UK homeowner's guide to FFP2 dust masks. EN 149 ratings explained, which tasks need FFP2 vs FFP3, how to fit one properly, and what to buy from ~£1/mask.
FFP3 Dust Masks: Why You Need One for Cutting Brick, Block, and Stone
The UK homeowner's guide to FFP3 masks. When FFP2 isn't enough, what silica dust does to your lungs, disposable vs reusable respirators from ~£9, and how to get a proper seal.
Ear Defenders: Which SNR You Need, What to Buy, and Why Your ANC Headphones Won't Cut It
UK homeowner's guide to ear defenders for construction. SNR ratings explained, budget picks from ~£5, and how to match protection to your power tools.
Face Shields for Grinding and Cutting: The PPE Safety Glasses Cannot Replace
UK guide to face shields for angle grinder and cutting work. EN 166 A-rating explained, why glasses alone aren't enough, and the right shield at every budget.
Hard Hats: When You Need One, What to Buy, and How to Wear It Properly
The UK homeowner's guide to hard hats. EN 397 explained, which type to buy from ~£5, when you legally need one on your build, and common mistakes that void protection.
Hi-Vis Vests: What to Buy, When to Wear One, and What the Classes Mean
The UK homeowner's guide to hi-vis vests. EN ISO 20471 classes explained, what to buy from £3.99, when you actually need one on a domestic site, and the cheap-vest trap to avoid.
Knee Pads: How to Choose the Right Type and Actually Protect Your Knees
UK guide to knee pads for construction and DIY. Types explained, EN 14404 decoded, best brands from £6-60, and why cheap foam pads are a false economy.
Safety Glasses and Goggles: Which Eye Protection You Actually Need on Site
UK guide to safety glasses for construction. EN 166 ratings explained, glasses vs goggles, best models from £2-£14, and the fogging fix nobody tells you.
Steel-Toe Boots: What to Buy, What the Codes Mean, and Why Rigger Boots Are a Bad Idea
UK guide to safety boots for construction. EN ISO 20345 codes decoded, S3 vs S1P explained, budget to premium picks from £20-160, and the VAT zero-rating most buyers miss.
Work Gloves: Which Type for Which Job, and Why One Pair Isn't Enough
The UK homeowner's guide to work gloves for construction. Rigger, grip, cut-resistant, and chemical-resistant types explained. From ~£1.50 per pair.