Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

This informal (non-authoritative) guide may help you understand the many codes relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the level of protection afforded by the products that bear them. You can view all the relevant EN products that we offer via the links in each category below.

Please note however, that we offer this information purely to assist you in finding products that may suit the PPE requirements you are looking for and urge you to seek professional safety advice in all cases. Our Safety Advisors HMS (Hilton Management Services) are happy answer any general queries by email:

Ask HMS a question – click here.

For further assistance we have provide links to BSi Standards where full specifications may be obtained together with further references to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) where detailed information can be obtained.

BSi - http://www.bsistandards.co.uk

HSE - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/index.ht

FAQ – What does CE mean?

Safety Footwear

All safety footwear, regardless of style, should have steel toe-caps conforming to EN345 (200 Joules)*. This means the steel toe-cap will withstand the impact of 20kg in weight falling on to the toes from a height of 10.2 metres. This standard also relates to compression protection corresponding to approximately 1.5 tonnes resting on the toe area.

*Safety Footwear is often generally referred to as EN345 but the full reference is: BS EN ISO 20345:2004

Click to view all EN345 products.

Flame Retardant

Wearing appropriate protection when working in foundries or when welding is essential, but ensure that you have the correct product for your particular environment and work. EN470 Part 1 - specification for use in welding and similar activities. EN531 - specification for industrial workers exposed to heat.

High Visibility Garments

All high visibility garments should meet the current requirements of The Safety at Street Work and Road Works Code of Practice. EN471 Class 3 - is the highest protection level (maximum protection). This level of protection should be worn on trunk roads and all other roads forming the Primary Route Network (PRN), roads displaying green/blue directional signs and all other roads where the speed limit is 40mph and above. EN471 Class 2 - provides intermediate protection (medium visibility) and is the minimum requirement when working on all roads where the speed limit is less than 40mph. EN471 Class 1 - offers the lowest level of protection and should be only worn in areas of minimal risk, possibly off road situations such as transport depots.

Waterproof Clothing

EN343 - is the code relating to waterproof garments. But these garments are also available in three classifications. EN343 Class 3 - affords the highest level of foul weather protection. EN343 Class 2 - will provide an intermediate level of foul weather protection. EN343 Class 1 - provides the lowest level of foul weather protection.

Head Protection

There are two types of protective headgear that provide two different levels of protection. EN397 - relates to the industrial safety helmet that will protect against falling objects. EN812 - will normally be found on baseball-style caps with an inner scalpguard liner to protect against the accidental scraping and bumping of the head. This type of product is not to be worn if there is a risk of being struck on the head by falling objects.

Noise Protection

EN352 - is the minimum requirement under current European legislation for ear defenders and ear plugs.

Click to view all EN352 products.

Eye Protection

EN166 - represents the minimum requirement for safety goggles and spectacles as laid down by European directives.

Click to view all EN166 products.

Safety Harness

Safety harnesses for working at height should always have the following codes. EN361 - is the minimum standard required under current European legislation for a full body safety harness. EN354 - relates to the lanyard used in PPE worn for preventing falls when working at height.

Gloves

EN388 - is the classification for gloves designed to protect the hands against mechanical risks EN407 - Protective gloves against thermal hazards (heat and/or fire) EN511 - Protective gloves against cold EN374 - Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms EN12477 - is the standard for protective gauntlets for welders

Cold Store Clothing

EN342 - is the minimum standard for garments worn for protection against cool environments.

Click to view all EN342 products.

Chainsaw Protection

EN381 - is the classification for protective clothing for users of hand-held chainsaws. There are 11 separate parts to this particular classification that cover different garments e.g. boots, gloves, jackets, trousers etc.

Click to view all EN381 products.

Respirators

BS EN 149:2001 - Respiratory protective devices. Filtering half masks to protect against particles. These are basic breathing defence items often refered to by their differning types (level of protection) as Type 1, 2 or 3 or P1, P2 or P3.

Click to view all EN149 products.

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