Product Overview

Summary: This PPE Compliance and Usage Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical system for selecting, issuing, wearing and maintaining personal protective equipment in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations meet their WHS duties, reduce preventable injuries, and demonstrate that PPE is more than a box-ticking exercise – it is consistently used, checked and supervised on every job.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often the last line of defence between a worker and a serious injury, yet many Australian businesses struggle with inconsistent use, poor fit, and a lack of documented processes. This PPE Compliance and Usage SOP provides a structured, step-by-step framework for how PPE is selected, issued, worn, inspected, cleaned, stored and replaced across your operations. It turns ad‑hoc practices into a repeatable system that supports due diligence and demonstrates that reasonably practicable steps are being taken to protect workers.

Developed with Australian WHS legislation and guidance in mind, the procedure helps you move beyond generic PPE rules and tailor requirements to specific tasks, environments and risk profiles. It clarifies responsibilities for managers, supervisors, workers and contractors, embeds PPE checks into pre‑start routines, and sets out clear escalation pathways for non‑compliance. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce injury rates, strengthen regulatory compliance, and build a safety culture where correct PPE use is understood, expected and consistently enforced.

This document is suitable for a wide range of industries – from construction, manufacturing and warehousing through to utilities, councils and service providers – and can be easily customised to your workplace’s risk profile and PPE range. It also supports onboarding and refresher training by providing a single, authoritative reference for how PPE must be used on site.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, correct use of PPE across all sites, shifts and work groups.
• Reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries where PPE is a critical control measure.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation, Australian Standards and duty of care obligations.
• Standardise PPE selection, issue, inspection and replacement, reducing confusion and gaps.
• Support effective training, inductions and supervision with clear, documented expectations.

Who is this for?

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

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne contaminants such as dusts, fumes, mists and biological agents
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals via skin contact, inhalation or eye splash
• Noise levels that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss
• Impact, crush and cut injuries to hands, feet and body
• Eye injuries from flying particles, UV radiation or chemicals
• Head injuries from falling or swinging objects
• Thermal hazards including hot surfaces, sparks and molten material
• Slips, trips and falls due to unsuitable or worn footwear
• Electrical contact risks where insulating PPE is required

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Legislative and Standards References
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors)
• 5.0 PPE Risk Assessment and Selection Criteria
• 6.0 Approved PPE Types and Minimum Requirements by Task/Area
• 7.0 PPE Procurement, Issue and Record Keeping
• 8.0 Fit Testing, Fit Checking and Sizing Requirements
• 9.0 PPE Usage Rules and Site Entry Requirements
• 10.0 Inspection, Cleaning, Maintenance and Storage of PPE
• 11.0 Replacement, Defect Reporting and Disposal of PPE
• 12.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 13.0 Monitoring, Supervision and Non-Compliance Management
• 14.0 Integration with Risk Assessments, SWMS and JSA Processes
• 15.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Appendices – PPE Checklists, Issue Register Templates and Signage Examples

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Part 3.2 General workplace management and Part 3.1 Managing risks to health and safety
• 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 4501: Occupational protective clothing
• 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 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices