- Home
- Categories
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Safety Gear and Clothing
Safety & Lifesaving
Safety Gear and Clothing
Safety Gear and Clothing covers the protection each person wears on a rig: helmets, eye and face protection, hearing protection, gloves, safety footwear, flame-resistant and arc-rated garments, and high-visibility and chemical clothing.
Every item has a standard, a marking and a life limit set by its maker. Unused surplus in original packaging can be a sound purchase; worn items almost never are.
What each item protects against
| Item | Main hazard on a rig | Key standards |
|---|---|---|
| Safety helmet | Dropped objects, head strikes | EN 397, EN 14052, ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 |
| Eye and face protection | Impact, splash, grinding | EN 166, ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 |
| Hearing protection | Noise near engines, pumps, shakers | EN 352 series |
| Gloves | Pinch points, cuts, chemicals | EN 388, EN ISO 374 |
| Safety footwear | Crush, puncture, slip, oil | EN ISO 20345 |
| Flame-resistant clothing | Flash fire, molten metal | EN ISO 11612, NFPA 2112 |
| Arc-rated clothing | Electrical arc flash | IEC 61482-2, ASTM F1506 |
| High-visibility clothing | Being seen on deck at night | EN ISO 20471, ANSI/ISEA 107 |
Configurations and classes that decide fit
- Helmets. EN 397 covers industrial helmets. EN 14052 is the higher-performance standard with better side impact resistance. ANSI Z89.1 Type I protects the crown, Type II also the sides, and Class E is electrical rated.
- Chin straps. Work at height and on the drill floor needs a retention system strong enough to keep the helmet on in a fall.
- Footwear. EN ISO 20345 classes such as S3 add a penetration-resistant midsole and water resistance. Fuel and oil resistance and slip ratings appear in the marking.
- Gloves. EN 388 gives abrasion, cut, tear and puncture levels. Impact-protective back-of-hand gloves suit pipe handling.
- Flame-resistant garments. EN ISO 11612 letter codes show performance against convective heat, radiant heat and molten metal. NFPA 2112 sets the US test for flash fire.
- Arc-rated garments. IEC 61482-2 gives box test classes or an arc rating in cal/cm². Match it to the incident energy in your electrical risk assessment.
Key specifications to read on the label
| Parameter | Why it matters | Typical classes or units |
|---|---|---|
| Date of manufacture | Starts the shelf and service life | Month and year, moulded or printed |
| Performance codes | Show what the item was tested for | EN letter and number codes |
| Size range | Decides whether surplus suits your crew | EU, UK and US sizes |
| Arc rating | Matches incident energy | ATPV or EBT in cal/cm² |
Shelf life and service life
Makers set a life for helmets, footwear and garments, counted from manufacture or from first issue. Plastics degrade in ultraviolet light, heat and contact with solvents. Flame-resistant fabrics lose protection if laundered the wrong way or contaminated with oil. Check the maker's instructions for each product line rather than assuming one number.
Inspection before issue
- Helmets. Look for cracks, chalky surfaces, stress marks and a sound harness. Squeeze the shell and listen for creaking.
- Footwear. Check toecaps, midsoles, sole bonding and wear on the tread.
- Gloves. Check seams and coatings, and confirm the size spread.
- Garments. Check labels are legible, closures work and no repairs used non-flame-resistant thread or patches.
Documentation
- Declaration of conformity, the instructions for use and the marking on every item.
- Batch and date codes, so you can match a recall notice.
- For flame-resistant clothing in rental or laundry service, the laundering record.
Integration with your PPE matrix
Surplus is only useful if it fits the PPE matrix your installation already uses. Helmets must accept your ear defenders, visors and lamps. Eye protection must fit under a full-face respirator if crews wear both. Flame-resistant and arc-rated layers must work together, since a non-rated base layer can melt under a rated outer garment.
Buying unused surplus
Unused, sealed and in-date items from a rig decommissioning or a cancelled project can supply a crew change or a reactivation. Check the remaining life against how long you will hold stock. Never accept worn helmets, footwear or gloves, or flame-resistant clothing with no laundering history.
For the respiratory side of PPE, see breathing air systems. For work at height, see fall protection systems.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do safety helmets expire?
Yes, makers set a service life for each helmet model, counted from the date of manufacture moulded inside the shell. Ultraviolet light, heat and solvents shorten it. Check the maker's instructions and replace any helmet that has taken an impact.
What is the difference between EN 397 and EN 14052 helmets?
EN 14052 is a higher-performance standard than EN 397, with tougher tests for impact energy, side impact and penetration. EN 397 remains the common industrial helmet standard. Choose by your dropped object risk assessment.
Is NFPA 2112 clothing the same as arc-rated clothing?
No, NFPA 2112 covers flash fire protection while arc rating under IEC 61482-2 or ASTM F1506 covers electrical arc flash. Many garments carry both, but check the label. Use both ratings where crews face both hazards.
Can I buy used flame-resistant coveralls?
Only if they come from a managed rental or laundry programme with a laundering and repair record. Otherwise buy unused. Contamination, wrong washing and non-rated repairs can remove protection without visible damage.
What does S3 mean on safety boots?
S3 under EN ISO 20345 means a toecap, antistatic properties, an energy-absorbing heel, water resistance, a penetration-resistant midsole and a cleated sole. Fuel oil resistance and slip resistance are shown by further marks.
Looking for safety gear and clothing?
Tell us what you need and we will find out what is available. We reply within one business day.