PPE CHECKLIST: WHAT YOU NEED ON AN ONTARIO CONSTRUCTION SITE

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Personal Protective Equipment is the last line of defence between you and a serious injury. On Ontario construction sites, PPE is not optional — it is a legal requirement under Ontario Regulation 213/91 (Construction Projects) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. But knowing exactly which PPE you need, what standards it must meet, and who is responsible for providing it can be confusing.

This checklist covers every piece of PPE you are likely to need on a construction site in Ontario, along with the specific CSA standards each item must meet.

1. Head Protection — Hard Hats

Hard hats are mandatory on virtually every construction site. Ontario Reg. 213/91, s. 22 requires every worker on a construction project to wear head protection that meets CSA Standard Z94.1 (Industrial Protective Headwear).

• Type 1 vs Type 2: Type 1 hard hats protect against impacts to the top of the head only. Type 2 protects against both top and lateral (side) impacts. Type 2 is increasingly required on major construction projects.
• Class E vs Class G: Class E (Electrical) hard hats are rated to withstand 20,000 volts. Class G (General) is rated to 2,200 volts. If there is any chance of contact with electrical hazards, Class E is the standard choice for construction.
• Replacement: Replace your hard hat immediately if it sustains a significant impact, shows cracks, or is visibly UV-degraded (chalky surface). Most manufacturers recommend replacement every five years regardless of condition, and suspension systems every 12 months.

2. Foot Protection — Safety Boots

Section 23 of Reg. 213/91 requires foot protection on construction projects. Your safety boots must meet CSA Standard Z195 (Protective Footwear).

• Green triangle (Grade 1): This is the minimum for construction. The green triangle on the tag means the boots have puncture-resistant soles and toe protection capable of withstanding impacts of 125 joules. This is the standard you will see required on almost every construction site in Ontario.
• Sole protection: Grade 1 boots include a puncture-resistant plate in the sole — either steel or composite — to protect against stepping on nails and other sharp objects.
• Additional ratings: Look for the omega symbol (metatarsal protection), the white rectangle with orange letters (electrical shock resistance), or the fir tree symbol (chainsaw protection) depending on your specific work.
• Fit and condition: Boots with worn soles, separated seams, or damaged toe caps need to be replaced. Properly fitting boots also reduce fatigue and the risk of trips and slips.

3. High-Visibility Apparel

High-visibility vests or clothing are required under Reg. 213/91, s. 69.1 for workers exposed to vehicular traffic or mobile equipment. The standard is CSA Z96 (High-Visibility Safety Apparel).

• Class 1: Minimum requirement for workers in areas with low-speed traffic or equipment. Provides the least amount of visibility.
• Class 2: Required for workers near higher-speed traffic or heavier equipment. Most construction sites require Class 2 as a minimum.
• Class 3: Highest visibility. Required for workers on or near active roadways, highway construction, or night work. Provides visibility from all directions with reflective material on the torso and limbs.
• Condition: Dirty, faded, or torn hi-vis vests lose their effectiveness. Replace any vest where the fluorescent material has faded or the reflective stripes are damaged, peeling, or obscured.

PPE is your last line of defence, not your first. If a hazard can be eliminated or controlled through engineering or procedures, that must happen before you rely on personal protective equipment. A hard hat does not fix an unsecured load overhead.

4. Eye and Face Protection

Section 24 of Reg. 213/91 requires eye protection when there is a risk of eye injury. Safety glasses must meet CSA Standard Z94.3 (Eye and Face Protectors).

• Safety glasses: Required for general construction work where there is risk from flying particles, dust, or debris. Must have side shields or wrap-around design.
• Safety goggles: Required when there is risk of chemical splash, fine dust, or particles from multiple directions. Goggles provide a sealed fit around the eyes.
• Face shields: Required for grinding, cutting, or any operation that creates significant projectile or splash hazards. Face shields must be worn over safety glasses — they are not a standalone solution.
• Welding filters: Must meet the appropriate shade number for the welding process being used. Auto-darkening helmets must still meet CSA Z94.3.

5. Hearing Protection

Under Reg. 213/91, s. 21, hearing protection is required when noise levels exceed 85 decibels (dBA) over an eight-hour time-weighted average. On construction sites, this threshold is commonly exceeded near power tools, heavy equipment, pile driving, and demolition work.

• Earplugs: Foam, silicone, or custom-molded. Must be properly inserted to achieve the rated Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Improperly inserted earplugs provide almost no protection.
• Earmuffs: Provide consistent protection without relying on proper insertion technique. Better for intermittent noise exposure where you need to put them on and take them off frequently.
• Dual protection: In extremely loud environments (above 105 dBA), using both earplugs and earmuffs together is recommended.

6. Fall Protection Equipment

Under Reg. 213/91, fall protection is required when a worker is exposed to a fall of 3 metres (10 feet) or more, or when falling into operating machinery, water, or another hazard regardless of height. All fall protection equipment must meet the applicable CSA Z259 series of standards.

• Full-body harness (CSA Z259.10): The only acceptable body-holding device for fall arrest in Ontario construction. Safety belts are not permitted for fall arrest.
• Lanyards (CSA Z259.11): Shock-absorbing lanyards are required for fall arrest. Maximum length of lanyard plus shock absorber after deployment must be considered in your fall distance calculation.
• Self-retracting devices (CSA Z259.2.2): Retractable lifelines that limit free fall distance. Must be inspected and maintained according to manufacturer specifications.
• Anchors (CSA Z259.15 / Z259.16): Must support 5,000 lbs per worker or be engineered for the specific application. Temporary anchors must be inspected before each use.
• WAH training required: Under Reg. 297/13, workers who use fall protection on construction projects must complete MLITSD-approved Working at Heights training.

7. Hand Protection

Gloves are required under s. 26 of Reg. 213/91 whenever there is a risk of hand injury. The type of glove depends on the hazard:

• Cut-resistant gloves: For handling sharp materials — sheet metal, glass, wire. Rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut scale from A1 to A9.
• Chemical-resistant gloves: For handling solvents, adhesives, epoxies, or any hazardous substance. Material (nitrile, neoprene, PVC) must be matched to the specific chemical.
• Impact-resistant gloves: For work with hammers, vibrating tools, or anywhere there is a crush risk.
• Leather work gloves: General-purpose protection for handling rough materials, concrete forms, and lumber.

8. Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is required under Reg. 213/91 when workers are exposed to airborne hazards — dust, fumes, vapours, or gases — that exceed occupational exposure limits. Respirators must be CSA Z94.4 compliant and fit-tested to the individual worker.

• Disposable N95 respirators: For nuisance dust and non-toxic particulates. Must be NIOSH-approved. Not suitable for chemical vapours or toxic dusts.
• Half-face respirators: For particulates, organic vapours, or acid gases depending on the cartridge. Require fit testing.
• Full-face respirators: Provide eye and respiratory protection. Required when the airborne hazard is also an eye irritant.
• Fit testing: Every worker who wears a tight-fitting respirator must be fit-tested using a qualitative or quantitative method. A respirator that does not seal properly provides almost no protection.

Employer vs Worker Responsibilities

Under the OHSA, the responsibility for PPE is shared but not equal:

• Employers must: Provide PPE to workers at no cost when it is required by regulation. Ensure PPE meets the applicable CSA standards. Train workers on proper use, care, and limitations. Replace damaged or worn-out PPE. Enforce PPE requirements on the job site.
• Workers must: Wear and use PPE as required by regulation and as directed by the employer. Inspect PPE before each use. Report any damage or defects immediately. Not modify or alter PPE in any way.

An employer who fails to provide required PPE, or a worker who refuses to wear it, can face charges under the OHSA. MLITSD inspectors actively check PPE compliance during site visits, and violations commonly result in orders or fines.

Inspection and Replacement

PPE is only effective if it is in good condition. Build pre-use inspection into your daily routine. Check for cracks, tears, wear, degradation, and proper function before every use. Remove damaged equipment from service immediately — do not set it aside for later. Tag it and dispose of it so no one else uses it by mistake.

Follow manufacturer guidelines for replacement intervals, and always replace PPE after it has been subjected to an impact, chemical exposure, or any event it was designed to protect against. A harness that catches a fall, a hard hat that takes a blow, or safety glasses that stop a projectile have done their job — retire them.