Personal protective equipment policy template
A free, ready-to-edit personal protective equipment (PPE) policy template for Australian workplaces. Set clear rules for selecting, providing, using and maintaining PPE, with employer obligations and worker responsibilities mapped to WHS law — no signup required.
PPE policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This PPE policy template reflects Australian work health and safety (WHS) standards at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business, industry and specific workplace hazards. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your workplace needs a PPE policy
Under Australian WHS law, employers must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. Where hazards can’t be eliminated or controlled by other means, personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes a critical control — and a documented policy is how you set the rules around it.
A PPE policy is a formal guideline that sets out the rules, procedures and responsibilities for providing, wearing and maintaining protective gear. It safeguards workers from physical, chemical and biological hazards, makes clear that the employer provides PPE at no cost, and spells out each worker’s duty to wear it and report damage. Importantly, PPE sits last in the hierarchy of control — your policy should reinforce that elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls come first.
The policy applies to all employees, contractors and visitors who enter areas where PPE is required. Store it and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood their obligations, and keep it alongside your broader WHS policy.
What a PPE policy should cover
The essentials of managing protective equipment
PPE selection
Choosing the right equipment for each hazard, based on a risk assessment or SWMS.
Employer obligations
Providing, supplying and maintaining suitable PPE at no cost to workers.
Worker responsibilities
Wearing PPE correctly, caring for it and reporting any damage or defects.
Training & fitting
Instructing workers on correct use, fit testing, cleaning and disposal.
Maintenance & storage
Inspecting, cleaning, storing and replacing PPE so it stays effective.
Compliance & review
Monitoring PPE use, addressing non-compliance and reviewing the policy.
What's included in this template
A complete framework for provision, use and maintenance of PPE
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who and where it applies.
PPE selection
Matching PPE to hazards using risk assessments and SWMS.
Employer obligations
Providing, supplying and maintaining PPE at no cost to workers.
Worker responsibilities
Using PPE correctly, storing it and reporting defects.
Equipment standards
Hard hats, hi-vis, eye and hearing protection, respirators and more.
Training & fit testing
Instructing workers on fitting, use, cleaning and disposal.
Maintenance & storage
Inspection, cleaning and storage procedures to keep PPE effective.
Replacement procedures
When and how to replace worn or damaged equipment.
Non-compliance
Consequences for failing to use required PPE.
Review & acknowledgement
Policy maintenance and employee sign-off.
Getting PPE right under Australian WHS law
Where PPE sits — and who pays for it
The employer provides PPE at no cost
Under the model WHS Regulations, where the employer (the PCBU) directs PPE to be used, they must provide it, maintain it and replace it at no cost to workers. Workers can only be asked to pay for PPE lost or damaged through their own misuse. Make this clear so there’s no confusion about who pays.
PPE is the last line of defence
PPE sits at the bottom of the hierarchy of control. It protects the individual but doesn’t remove the hazard, so always work through elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls first. Your policy should reinforce that PPE supplements, rather than replaces, higher-order controls.
The PPE management cycle
Assess
Identify hazards and decide what PPE each task requires.
Provide
Supply suitable, well-fitting PPE at no cost to the worker.
Train
Show workers how to fit, use, clean and store their PPE.
Maintain
Inspect, clean, store and replace PPE so it stays effective.
PPE must fit the individual worker — conduct fit testing for respiratory protection and offer a range of sizes and styles. Capture acknowledgements and keep PPE issue records in your digital HR records so you can show every worker received the right equipment and training.
Selection should be driven by a documented risk assessment or hazard and risk assessment, and equipment should comply with the relevant Australian Standards. Pair this policy with your manual handling policy for tasks involving lifting or repetitive strain. Safe Work Australia’s PPE guidance and your state WHS regulator provide further detail on duties and equipment standards.
Who should use this template?
Essential for any workplace where hazards can't be fully controlled
Especially important in high-risk industries like construction, where PPE is part of everyday work and SWMS requirements apply.
Compliance resources
Official Australian guidance on PPE and WHS duties.
Manage your safety policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — so you can show every worker has read your PPE rules.
Related guides
Write and roll out your safety policies the right way
Related templates
Build out your safety and compliance framework
PPE policy FAQ
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A PPE policy is a formal guideline that sets out the rules, procedures and responsibilities for providing, wearing and maintaining personal protective equipment. It safeguards workers from physical, chemical and biological hazards when other controls can’t eliminate the risk, and covers responsibilities (the employer provides PPE at no cost; workers wear it and report damage), hazard identification, equipment standards and training.
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A complete PPE policy should include its purpose and scope, how PPE is selected based on a risk assessment, employer obligations to provide and maintain PPE at no cost, worker responsibilities, equipment standards, training and fit testing, maintenance and storage procedures, replacement rules, consequences for non-compliance, and an employee acknowledgement. You can adapt our free template to fit your workplace.
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Yes. The template is a solid foundation, but you should tailor it to your specific workplace hazards, industry and the PPE your tasks require. Consult your workers and health and safety representatives during the process, and align it with your WHS policy and hazard and risk policy.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.