If you have spent any time working on a construction site or in a shop, you know how the proper safety equipment truly is. You’ve heard the horror stories of the kid who didn’t wear his goggles in chemistry class and your teacher told you that fable for a reason. Having the proper safety equipment is the how you avoid turning into a story that teachers tell to scare their kids into practicing safety procedures. From safety goggles and welding helmets to Kevlar gloves and lifting braces, there is a lot to think about depending on each job. Hre are the bare bones essentials.

Protective, leather gloves with a good, textured grip should be in every handyman’s collection. Gloves with a good grip make all the difference when carrying heavy loads or working with materials that could hurt your hands. Thick leather gloves will keep you from spending a day picking splinters out of your fingers.

Steel toe boots are not necessary on every site but you never know when you will need them. If you aren’t working with steel truss then you might not need full steel toes. A simple composite protective toe will protect you from a dropped hammer. Welding helmets are essential if you are doing any welding work. Many people will just use welding glasses but I think they are insufficient. Welding helmets protect your eyes but also protect your face from sparks that goggles can’t. The one time you catch a spark in the face you realize why welding helmets are the standard and you’ll buy one soon after.

Hardhats should be a part of your standard gear. Like steel toe boots, it’s better to have it and never need it then to not have it when you do. If your hardhat gets hit you need to replace it to make sure that it’s still going to protect you the next time, so don’t get anything too expensive that you won’t want to replace.