PPE That Actually Matters, Trade by Trade
Generic PPE advice (“wear safety boots and hi-vis”) misses what actually matters for a given trade. Here's a more specific rundown.
Electricians
Insulated tools rated for the voltage being worked on, and arc-rated clothing for tasks with arc flash risk — standard cotton workwear doesn't provide this protection.
Roofers
A properly rated fall-arrest system, not just a harness — the anchor points and connecting hardware matter as much as the harness itself.
Concreters and anyone cutting or grinding masonry
Respiratory protection against silica dust is a genuinely major current issue in Australian construction, with regulation tightening in recent years because of the serious long-term lung disease risk — a basic dust mask is not adequate protection against fine silica dust.
The general principle
PPE should match the specific hazard of the specific task, not just the general trade — when in doubt, check your state WHS regulator's code of practice for your trade.