On an oil and gas site, PPE is not left to taste. The operator's HSE specification lists each item and the standard it must meet, and a contractor whose crew arrives in the wrong coverall can be turned away at the gate. This checklist goes from head to toe with the standard to ask for on each item. It applies to onshore fields, refineries, gas plants and terminals, in the Gulf and in Africa.
Always check your own contract first. Operators differ, and their specification wins over any general list, including this one.
The checklist
| Item | Standard to ask for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flame-resistant coverall | EN ISO 11612, NFPA 2112; antistatic EN 1149-5 in gas areas | The core item. See the section below. |
| Safety footwear | EN ISO 20345, S3; HRO and FO if specified | Rigger boots or lace-up boots |
| Safety helmet | EN 397 | Ratchet harness, chin strap for height work |
| Eye protection | EN 166 | Goggles or face shield for chemical handling |
| Gloves | EN 388, with impact guards for drilling and pipe handling | Nitrile coated for oily work |
| Hearing protection | EN 352 | Near compressors, pumps and generators |
| Fall protection | EN 361 harness, EN 355 or EN 360 connectors | Scaffolds, tanks, rigs |
| Hi-vis | EN ISO 20471; FR hi-vis where FR is required | A normal polyester vest over an FR coverall defeats the FR |
| Cold weather jacket | FR jacket, EN ISO 11612 | Desert nights, winter shifts |
| Gas detection and breathing apparatus | As per site H2S and confined space rules | Specialist equipment, supplied by your safety vendor |
FR coveralls: reading the label
The coverall is where most mistakes happen. Three standards come up again and again:
- EN ISO 11612 covers heat and flame. Its codes tell you what was tested: A1/A2 limited flame spread, B convective heat, C radiant heat, D and E molten aluminium and iron splash, F contact heat. The number after B, C or F is the level.
- NFPA 2112 is the American standard for flash fire protection. Many Gulf and African operators ask for it, especially on US-linked projects.
- EN 1149-5 means the fabric dissipates static. In areas where gas may be present, ask for FR clothing that is also antistatic.
Two more appear on electrical and welding work: IEC 61482-2 for arc flash, and EN ISO 11611 for welding.
Also decide between inherent FR fabrics, where the fibre itself resists flame, and treated FR cotton, where the protection is added by a chemical finish. Both are valid; our guide to IFR vs FR coveralls explains the trade-off.
Footwear
S3 is the norm: a water-resistant upper, a puncture-resistant midsole and a cleated sole for mud, oil and gravel. Ask for FO (fuel oil resistant outsole) on 2022-certified shoes, and HRO near hot surfaces. Desert crews often prefer rigger boots because they slip on and off quickly. Our safety shoe ratings guide explains every code.
Hands
Hand injuries are among the most common on drilling floors and during pipe handling. A glove with thermoplastic guards on the back of the hand protects knuckles and fingers from pinch points and dropped loads. For oily parts, a nitrile coating keeps the grip. See our EN 388 glove ratings guide to read the codes.
Heat: the other hazard
In the Gulf and much of Africa, heat stress is as real a risk as fire. Pick the lightest FR fabric your specification allows, give crews spare coveralls so they can change, and plan water and shade breaks. Our heat illness guide covers the warning signs.
A starter kit from our range
- FR coverall: the Tintrex BTC 4050, 98% FR cotton and 2% antistatic fibre, 240 GSM, listed to EN ISO 11612, EN ISO 11611, EN 1149-5, IEC 61482-2 and NFPA 2112. For a lighter option, the Firewing BSW 0360 is an inherent FR modacrylic blend at 180 GSM, listed to EN ISO 11612 and EN 1149-5.
- FR winter jacket: the BWJ 3505, FR cotton outer, listed to EN ISO 11612, EN ISO 11611 and EN ISO 20471.
- Boots: the Stabler Ankle Plus BFP 2063 (S3, EN ISO 20345:2022) or the BFP 2020 rigger boot (S1P).
- Helmet: the BSH 1230 with 4-point ratchet, listed to EN 397.
- Glasses: the BSG 0300, polycarbonate lens, EN 166.
- Gloves: the BIPG 8000 impact glove (EN 388 4X42C) and the TNG 6004 fully nitrile coated glove for oily work.
- Hearing: corded foam ear plugs BEP 3011, SNR 37 dB.
- Height work: the BFH 0400 full body harness, EN 361 and EN 358.
We do not claim operator approval for any product. We match the standard your specification names and send the datasheets so your HSE team can check each line.
Before you order for a crew
- Get the operator's PPE specification and check the version of each standard it names.
- Collect sizes per worker. Coveralls and boots in the wrong size are the most common waste in a bulk order.
- Order spares: at least two coveralls per worker, so one can be washed.
- Ask for datasheets and test reports with the quotation, not after delivery.
- Agree on logo printing early: it adds time to the order.
We supply oil and gas crews across the GCC and Africa from our UAE stock. See our pages for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Nigeria, or send us your list for a quotation.
