Kit list by trade
Safety gear for warehousing and logistics
What PPE does a warehouse need?
Most Australian warehouses run on hi-vis with a stated class under AS/NZS 4602.1 so pedestrians are visible to forklifts, safety boots certified under AS/NZS 2210.3, general handling gloves, and hearing protection where machinery requires it. Cold storage adds insulated freezer wear.
Key takeaways
- Hi-vis in a warehouse is about being seen by a forklift driver, so class and coverage matter more than fabric weight.
- Concrete floors all day make cushioning, footbeds and midsole comfort a real purchasing decision, not a luxury.
- Freezer and chiller work is a separate category with insulated garments built for it.
- Bollards, barrier mesh and tape separate people from moving plant, and they belong in the same order as the PPE.
What hi-vis should warehouse staff wear?
A vest or garment with a class stated under AS/NZS 4602.1, chosen for the lighting and the hours worked. Indoor day shift work usually calls for a day class garment; loading docks, yards and night shifts move the requirement towards a day and night class garment with retroreflective tape.
Vests suit visitors and staff who move between areas, because they go over normal clothing. Polos and shirts suit staff who wear hi-vis all shift.
Where forklifts and pedestrians share a space, visibility is one control among several, alongside separation, speed limits and traffic management.
Which boots suit concrete warehouse floors?
Look for cushioning and a supportive footbed as well as a stated AS/NZS 2210.3 code. Time on hard flat floors is the dominant comfort factor, so midsole construction, a replaceable footbed and a slip resistant sole usually matter more than boot height.
Low cut safety shoes and safety joggers appear in this range for exactly this use, and several state a code set on the listing.
Replacement footbeds and insoles are covered separately on this hub and are a cheap way to extend the life of a comfortable boot.
What gloves and hearing protection does a warehouse need?
General handling gloves for cardboard, strapping and pallets, with a mechanical protection rating where the listing publishes one. Hearing protectors matter where machinery, balers or compressors push noise up, and they carry a class and SLC80 figure under AS/NZS 1270.
Grip and dexterity decide whether a glove gets worn. A glove too bulky for the task comes off, which protects nobody.
What do freezer and cold storage crews need?
Insulated freezer jackets and coveralls built for sustained cold, usually in a hi-vis fabric so the same garment covers both requirements. Gloves rated for cold handling, and footwear that stays flexible at low temperature, complete the kit for chiller and freezer work.
Freezer garments state insulation and hi-vis class separately, so check both. A hi-vis freezer jacket does not automatically carry the class your dock requires.
What site controls belong in a warehouse order?
Bollards, barrier mesh and barricade tape separate pedestrians from moving plant and mark out temporary work areas. Spill kits matter wherever oils, fuels or chemicals are stored, and lockout equipment matters wherever plant is isolated for maintenance.
In New South Wales the work health and safety regulator is SafeWork NSW, and the rules are the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW). Other states and territories have their own regulator and their own regulation.
Forklift operation in New South Wales requires a high risk work licence. Licensing sits with SafeWork NSW and is outside anything this hub covers.
Where to start
Guides for this trade
- Syzmik hi-vis basic vest ZV999
- DNC daytime hi-vis vest
- DNC cotton safety vest, day/night rated, 3809
- Puma Crosstwist mid safety shoe
- Bison Dune low cut zip side lace up safety boot
- Force360 GWORX100 sandy nitrile work gloves
- Bisley X Taped two tone hi-vis freezer jacket
- WorkCraft hi-vis freezer jacket
- Pro Choice hi-vis orange bollard with 6kg base
- Hard Yakka ERP footbed memory foam innersoles
Frequently asked questions
Do warehouse staff need day or night hi-vis?
Indoor day shift work usually calls for a day class garment under AS/NZS 4602.1. Loading docks, yards and night shifts move the requirement towards a day and night class garment, which adds retroreflective tape. Your risk assessment and site rules decide.
What are the most comfortable boots for standing on concrete?
Comfort on concrete comes from midsole cushioning, a supportive footbed and a sole that absorbs shock, more than from boot height or brand. Low cut safety shoes and joggers suit indoor work. Compare the midsole, the footbed and the sole across your shortlist.
Is a hi-vis vest enough on its own?
A vest gives visibility, nothing else. Toe protection, hand protection and hearing protection are separate decisions, and separating pedestrians from forklifts with layout, barriers and traffic management does more than any garment.
What should a freezer picker wear?
An insulated freezer jacket or coverall, usually in a hi-vis fabric so one garment covers cold and visibility, plus gloves suited to cold handling and footwear that stays flexible at low temperature. Guides state the insulation and the hi-vis class separately.