Construction workers are associated with reflective gear, big boots, and hard hats. But there is much more to construction work uniforms. What do you wear to work as a construction worker?
Construction workers wear heavy-duty cargo pants and shirts, with steel-toed work boots to protect themselves on worksites. They also wear safety gear including hard hats, goggles, gloves, and earmuffs. Construction workers dress in heavy-duty gear to be protected from dangers on a construction site.
There is a lot of variety in construction worker gear that people don’t think of. This includes uniforms for general labourers, industry constructors, and elevated workers.
What should construction workers wear to work?
Construction workers on construction sites need to wear a variety of protective clothing and gear to protect their whole bodies. Construction workers need to wear long sleeves and pants made from heavy-duty canvas material. This material is tougher and can protect them better when in contact with construction materials.
Construction workers should also wear heavy-duty work boots to work. These types of boots have steel caps to protect workers’ toes in case of heavy materials or tools being dropped. These boots also provide ankle protection and support for construction work. Along with the boots, construction workers wear thick socks to keep their feet warm and to stop the boots from rubbing their feet too much.
Construction workers wear hard hats to work on most construction sites. This is a safety measure to protect their heads when working.
They also wear special watches that are designed for wear in all kinds of weather. Construction workers’ watches should be waterproof and mud resistant.
All the tops that you would wear to work as a construction worker should be Hi-Vis, typically a yellow or orange colour with reflective strips. Most of these tops will be made from heavy-duty canvas material to withstand the wear and tear of construction work. The specific tops you need can change depending on whether you work as a general labourer, skilled labourer, or another type of construction worker. But all the daily uniforms will have similar basics.
On top of these main pieces of clothing, there is a lot more safety equipment that you should wear to work as a construction worker.
What general safety gear do construction workers wear to work?
General safety gear that all construction workers wear includes safety vests, goggles, hard hats, gloves, boots, masks, and earmuffs.
Safety vests are worn by construction workers to enhance the visibility of workers on a construction site. These vests are made with bright neon-coloured fabric with reflective strips, similar to construction workers’ tops.
Safety gloves are worn by construction workers to protect their hands from abrasions and lacerations. This is especially important for if they are working with wires or sharper objects. Gloves reduce hand injuries and the effects of construction materials on workers’ hands.
Falling construction materials and debris on a construction site can cause serious head injuries, which is why construction workers wear hard hats. Injuries can also occur from bumping into walls, ceilings, and other structures on construction sites. So, every construction worker will have their own hard hat to wear. These hats are coloured differently to identify ranks of workers on construction sites.
It’s important for construction workers to wear eye protection to prevent debris from injuring their eyes. Every construction worker will have multiple pairs of safety goggles and glasses to protect them from sharp objects, dust particles, corrosive chemicals, and debris.
Alongside eye protection, ear protection is important for construction workers to wear. They will often have a pair of earmuffs in their pack of construction safety gear. Earmuffs and earplugs prevent high decibels on construction sites from causing temporary or permanent hearing damage.
Construction workers also have safety masks on hand to protect them from dust particles, fumes, and gases on construction sites.
What do construction workers wear when working up high?
Construction workers that will be working up high need to wear extra protective gear to work, including harnesses. A harness is necessary to wear to work when working at different heights as a construction worker to prevent falls from happening. These safety harnesses can help you balance better when working high up. They should be regularly checked and replaced at any sign of wear and tear.
When working at heights, construction workers need to have safety goggles and gloves on, as well as helmets. They may have their own PPE kits for their work, especially if their primary work is with heights, such as elevator technicians. Construction employers and site supervisors should also have gear for height work. It’s important to be sure to have completed all the safety training for working at heights and to have all of the extra safety gear to conduct this work.
What should a general labourer wear on a construction site?
General labourers should wear canvas shirts and pants to work, alongside work boots, plus head, hand, ear, and eye protection. They may not need to always wear every piece of protective gear, but they should have them ready to go. This way, when people hire a general labourer, they will have their own kit of construction PPE to bring with them. Below is a table of the protective gear general labourers should have:
| Types of Protection | PPE Used | Specifications |
| Foot protection | Closed protective boots | Puncture and slip-resistant |
| Eye protection | Face shields and safety glasses | Determined by the task at hand |
| Head protection | Hard hats | Class-G hard hats |
| Ear protection | Earmuffs and earplugs | Snug fit to ensure safety |
| Hand protection | Tough, flexible gloves | Heavy-duty is preferred depending on the type of work. |
Construction workers have different skill levels, and each level may have varied PPEs depending on the work involved. The gear can differ from site to site, though the specifications may remain the same. Your protective gear as a general labourer will be able to be worn across all construction sites. You just may need to add to this for specific jobs.
Why do construction workers need to wear the right gear?
It’s important for construction workers to wear the right gear to work to protect them from injury. This is why they have special heavy-duty clothes and accessories that can be worn on construction sites.
Construction clothes and accessories are designed primarily to prevent injury to construction workers. On top of protective measurements, construction gear is also designed to be as comfortable as possible. Since construction workers have long days, it’s important to try and provide comfort in their clothing. Work boots are the main example of a piece of construction workwear that is designed with both protection and comfort as priorities.
It’s also important for construction workers to wear the right gear on-site because their workwear is designed to enhance visibility. The reflective strips and neon colours help others identify construction workers on a construction site. This prevents injuries that could occur from not seeing a worker.
You should always wear the correct gear to work as a construction worker for your safety and the safety of those around you.
If you enjoyed this article, check out some of our other resources such as ‘what construction jobs are most in demand?’ To hire labour workers, contact our Rednax Recruitment team today! We can source general and skilled labourers for your construction needs.
