PPE Standards for the UK Water Industry: ISO & EN Requirements Explained

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on UK water and wastewater sites must meet strict ISO and EN standards. Utilities such as Wessex Water, Thames Water and Southern Water require PPE to be compliant, task-appropriate and suitable for live operational environments.

This guide explains the key PPE standards used across the UK water industry, what they mean, and where they apply on site.

Head Protection Standards

EN 397 – Industrial Safety Helmets
EN 397 is the core standard for industrial safety helmets used across water and wastewater sites.

Where there is unguarded work at height, helmets should be fitted with a 4-point chin strap to prevent displacement and maintain protection.

High Visibility Clothing Standards

EN ISO 20471 – High Visibility Clothing
EN ISO 20471 replaced the older EN471 standard and defines visibility requirements for PPE worn in high-risk environments.

Class 3 is typically required for jackets, coveralls, trousers and vests and provides the highest level of visibility for live water industry sites.

EN 343 – Protection Against Rain
EN 343 applies to waterproof and storm clothing. Storm coats should meet Class 3:1, providing protection against rain while remaining breathable.

GO/RT 3279 and RIS-3279
These rail-specific high visibility standards apply where works interface with rail infrastructure.

ARC Rated Clothing
Electrical works require ARC rated PPE. The ARC class (Class 1 or Class 2) is determined by the task risk assessment and electrical exposure.

Eye and Face Protection Standards

EN 166 – Personal Eye Protection
EN 166 applies to safety glasses and goggles used on site and in workshop environments.

ANSI Z87.1
Some eyewear also meets ANSI Z87.1, offering enhanced impact resistance, commonly specified in fabrication areas.

Face Shields and Visors
Depending on the task, face protection may need to meet EN 166, EN 169 for welding filters, or EN 170 for ultraviolet protection. Electrical tasks may also require ARC rated face protection.

Hearing Protection Standards

EN 352-1 – Ear Defenders
EN 352-2 – Ear Plugs

Hearing protection selection should always be based on a site-specific noise risk assessment.

Hand Protection Standards

EN 388 – Mechanical Risks
EN 388 covers protection against abrasion, cuts, tearing and puncture. Glove markings typically show a combination of numbers and letters indicating performance levels.

EN 420 – General Glove Requirements
This standard defines fit, comfort and general glove construction.

Cut Resistant Gloves for Wessex Water
Wessex Water sites require gloves meeting EN 388:2016 Cut Level D. This equates to a minimum cut resistance of 15 Newtons under ISO 13997. Older numeric-only cut ratings are not acceptable.

Electrical Insulated Gloves
ARC rated insulated gloves are required for electrical works. Class 1 or Class 2 gloves are selected based on voltage and task risk.

Safety Footwear Standards

EN ISO 20345 – Safety Footwear
Safety boots used on water industry sites typically meet S3 classification, providing toe protection, penetration resistance and water resistance suitable for wet and uneven ground.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

FFP3 Disposable Masks
FFP3 masks are commonly required for water industry tasks and must be face-fit tested for each individual.

Task-Specific RPE
Reusable or specialist RPE is defined by site rules and risk assessments. Manufacturer selection depends on face-fit test results.

Protective Clothing for Welding and Fabrication

EN ISO 11611:2015 – Welding Protection
Flame-resistant clothing meeting Class 1 is typically required for fabrication and welding activities on water industry projects.

Why PPE Standards Matter on Water Sites

Correct PPE ensures operatives remain protected, supports compliance with utility requirements, and avoids delays caused by non-compliant equipment. Understanding PPE standards helps maintain safe, efficient and audit-ready sites.