Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical instructions for the correct selection, fitting, use, maintenance and storage of personal protective equipment (PPE) across your workplace. It helps Australian businesses turn PPE from a tick‑box exercise into an effective last line of defence against injury, exposure and regulatory non‑compliance.

The "Correct Use of Protective Equipment Safe Operating Procedure" provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to ensuring PPE is used effectively, consistently and in line with Australian WHS requirements. Rather than simply listing items of PPE, this SOP explains how to assess tasks, match the right protective equipment to the hazard, correctly fit and wear each item, and maintain it so that protection is not compromised over time. It addresses common real‑world issues such as workers wearing PPE incorrectly, using the wrong type for the task, or failing to replace damaged or contaminated equipment.

For Australian businesses, PPE is often the last barrier between workers and serious harm from noise, chemicals, airborne contaminants, sharp edges, biological agents, heat, cold and impact. This SOP helps you close the gap between policy and practice by standardising how PPE is issued, checked, worn and stored on site. It supports your due diligence obligations under WHS legislation, reduces the likelihood of preventable injuries and occupational illnesses, and provides clear, defensible evidence of your PPE management system in the event of audits, inspections or incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure PPE is correctly selected, fitted and used for each specific task and hazard.
• Reduce the risk of injuries, exposures and occupational illnesses arising from incorrect or inconsistent PPE use.
• Standardise PPE practices across sites, shifts and contractors, improving compliance and accountability.
• Support WHS legal obligations and demonstrate due diligence during regulator inspections and audits.
• Improve worker understanding and acceptance of PPE requirements through clear, practical guidance.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Manufacturing Team Leaders
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers
• Laboratory Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Training and Induction Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne contaminants such as dusts, fumes, mists and biological agents
• Chemical splashes and skin contact with hazardous substances
• Noise exposure leading to noise‑induced hearing loss
• Eye injuries from flying particles, splashes and impact
• Hand injuries from cuts, abrasions, punctures, chemicals and thermal hazards
• Foot injuries from impact, crushing, penetration and slips
• Head injuries from falling or flying objects
• Respiratory harm from inhalation of gases, vapours and particulates
• Thermal stress from hot or cold environments
• Infections and contamination from contact with bodily fluids or biological materials

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 PPE Hazard Assessment and Selection Criteria
• 5.0 Types of Protective Equipment and Limitations
• 6.0 Pre‑Use Inspection and Fit‑Checking Requirements
• 7.0 Step‑by‑Step Procedure for Correct Donning and Doffing of PPE
• 8.0 Use, Care and Maintenance of PPE
• 9.0 Cleaning, Decontamination and Storage Requirements
• 10.0 PPE Replacement, Disposal and Defect Reporting
• 11.0 Training, Competency and Fit‑Testing (where applicable)
• 12.0 Interaction with Other Controls and Hierarchy of Control
• 13.0 Incident Response, Non‑Compliance and Corrective Actions
• 14.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements
• 15.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia), Part 3.2 – General workplace management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors