Know exactly what safety gear your job requires. Check PPE requirements, helmet lifespan, noise exposure limits and fall protection needs.
| Noise Level | Safe Duration / Day | Protection Required |
|---|---|---|
| Below 85 dB | No limit | Not required |
| 85 dB | 8 hours | Recommended |
| 90 dB | 2 hours | Required |
| 95 dB | 1 hour | Required |
| 100 dB | 15 minutes | Required |
| 110 dB+ | Do not expose | Mandatory + avoid |
Construction workers in Sri Lanka require as a minimum: a hard hat, safety boots with steel toe caps, high-visibility vest, safety gloves, and safety goggles. Additional PPE depends on the specific task — welding requires a full face shield and welding gloves; working at height above 2m requires a full-body harness and fall arrest system; dusty environments require a P2 or P3 dust mask.
Replace every 3–5 years from manufacture, or immediately after any significant impact. In Sri Lanka's heat and high UV environment, the shell degrades faster — 3 years for outdoor use is recommended. Check for cracks, fading, chalking or brittleness and replace immediately if any of these are present, regardless of age.
Hearing protection is required when noise exceeds 85 dB for more than 8 hours, or 90 dB for more than 2 hours. Most power tools — angle grinders, jackhammers, concrete mixers — exceed 90 dB. Foam earplugs typically give 20–30 dB of protection; earmuffs give 25–35 dB. Use our noise calculator to check your specific situation.