Concreter Workwear and PPE: What Concreters Need in Australia
Written and reviewed by the Max Global Products team · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: a concreter needs waterproof safety gumboots (steel toe, penetration-resistant midsole) for pours, long chemical-resistant gloves to stop cement burns, sealed goggles against splashes, a P2 respirator for cutting, grinding and sweeping, hearing protection, long pants worn over the gumboot, hi-vis, and heat and sun protection for long pours in summer.
The concreter's kit list
| Item | What to look for | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Safety gumboots | Steel toecap and a penetration-resistant midsole; tall enough that wet concrete cannot spill in. Wear pants outside the boot. | Gumboots, e.g. Blundstone 024 safety gumboot with steel midsole, Bata Utility PVC safety gumboot |
| Chemical-resistant gloves | Long-cuff PVC or nitrile so wet concrete cannot get inside. Cotton gloves soak up cement and make burns worse. | Pro Choice 27 cm double-dipped PVC gloves, BN60 extended nitrile |
| Eye protection | Sealed, anti-fog goggles during pours and when using vibrators and power floats. | Scope Maxx Pro anti-fog goggles |
| Respiratory protection | P2 minimum for saw cutting, grinding and dry sweeping, with water suppression. | Respiratory protection, e.g. North 7700 half-face silica kit |
| Knee protection | Waterproof knee pads for screeding and finishing. | Portwest KP30 gel knee pads |
| Heat and sun | Pours start early and run long. Cooling vest or neck wrap, electrolytes and SPF 50+. | Portwest hi-vis cooling vest, Thorzt 3 L hydration backpack, hydration |
| Hi-vis | Required around concrete trucks, pumps and plant. | Hi-vis workwear |
Cement burns are chemical burns
Wet concrete is strongly alkaline (around pH 12 to 13). It burns slowly, so damage often isn't felt until hours later, typically where concrete is trapped inside a boot, glove or knee pad. If wet concrete gets inside your PPE, stop, remove it and wash the skin with clean water. Chromium in cement also causes allergic contact dermatitis over time. See Safe Work Australia's concrete pumping and contact dermatitis guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What boots do concreters wear?
Safety gumboots with a steel toecap and penetration-resistant midsole during pours, and leather safety boots for formwork and prep. Pants go over the gumboot so concrete runs off, not in.
What gloves stop concrete burns?
Waterproof, long-cuff PVC or nitrile gloves. Avoid cotton or leather gloves for wet concrete because they hold the cement against your skin.
Is concrete cutting dust dangerous?
Yes. It contains respirable crystalline silica, which causes silicosis. Cut wet or with extraction and wear at least a fit-checked P2 respirator.
Outfitting a team
Concreting business? Apply for a trade account. See the full guide by trade.
Last reviewed October 2026. This guide covers common kit; your employer's risk assessment and site rules decide what is mandatory.