How much does PPE cost in the UK?

Does your workforce need PPE? We can help you find options to suit your needs and budget.

The cost of Personal Protective Equipment in the UK ranges from as little as £1.91 for head protection, up to around £2,000+ for respiratory protection.

Whatever protection you need, this PPE cost guide will help you to budget for your next order.

THE COST OF ORDERING PPE

Here’s a brief overview of the price ranges for each PPE category at SMI:

TYPE OF PPE	LOWEST COST	HGHEST COST
Head protection	£1.91	£86.55
Hearing protection	£1.19	£371
Eye & face protection	£1.19	£181.67
Respiratory protection	£2.38	£2,328.34
Fall protection	£8.19	£235.30

There’s not a single set price for PPE in the UK. 

The amount you pay for protective equipment will vary depending on your business’s needs, and the size of your workforce. 

Completing a risk assessment is your best bet before budgeting and ordering PPE for your team. 

Identifying workplace hazards helps you choose equipment that provides the right level of protection. 

HEAD PROTECTION PRICES

Head protection is key to prevent injuries from falling objects. From bump caps to safety helmets, we’ve got you covered.

This type of PPE is a must for construction, forest, and manufacturing teams. Equipment costs vary greatly but options are available for all budgets. 

TYPE OF HEAD PROTECTION	LOWEST COST	HIGHEST COST
Safety helmets & hard hats	£19.75	£86.55
Bump caps	£9.05	£25.62
Accessories	£1.91	£58.20

HEARING PROTECTION PRICES 

Hearing protection is a must in loud working environments. Protect your workers’ hearing with ear defenders, ear plugs, and accessories designed to reduce permanent damage. 

TYPE OF HEARING PROTECTION	LOWEST COST	HIGHEST COST
Ear defenders	£7.57	£46.06
Ear plugs	£3.26	£371
Ear bands	£1.19	£2.02

FALL PROTECTION PRICES

Fall protection is vital for keeping your team members working at height as safe as possible. Provide your team with safety harnesses and safety lanyards to prevent falls on the job.  

TYPE OF FALL PROTECTION	LOWEST COST	HIGHEST COST
Safety harnesses	£14.53	£235.30
Safety lanyards	£8.19	£193.85

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION PRICES

Eye and face protection will protect eyes and faces from potential injuries caused by airborne particles, chemicals, and gases. We supply a large collection of safety goggles, face shields, and safety spectacles.

TYPE OF EYE AND FACE PROTECTION	LOWEST COST	HIGHEST COST
Safety spectacles	£1.45	£9.32
Over spectacles	£1.26	£4.08
Bolle safety spectacles	£5.53	£13.39
UVEX safety spectacles	£6.20	£10.86
Safety goggles	£1.19	£25.85
Face shields	£6.79	£181.67

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PRICES

Respiratory PPE reduces your workers' risk of breathing in harmful gases, chemicals, and particles. 

There are budget-friendly disposable options, as well as high-spec powered systems.

The price you pay for respiratory PPE is determined by the level of protection your team needs. 

TYPE OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION	LOWEST COST	HIGHEST COST
Face coverings	£2.38	£19.54
Disposable respirators	£11.84	£86.75
Reusable half masks & filters	£11.06	£42.34
Powered respirators & filters	£2.52	£2,328.34

FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE COST OF ORDERING PPE

Your total PPE cost will vary and fluctuate depending on your business needs.

The amount your business spends on PPE is determined by: 

• Workforce size - Large organisations will spend more on protective equipment compared to smaller businesses.
• Type of protection needed - PPE prices vary significantly depending on what it is you need.
• Product quality - High-quality PPE often comes with a higher price tag.
• PPE supplier - Different suppliers offer varying personal protective equipment costs. Using multiple suppliers will also impact how much your business spends on PPE.
• Custom branding - You’ll pay more for workwear and uniform that’s customised with your business branding. 

HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN ORDERING PPE

You don’t have to compromise on quality to reduce PPE costs. There are several steps you can take to protect your workforce without overspending. 

Follow these money-saving tips: 

BUY IN BULK

Suppliers often offer discounts on bulk orders. If you need to replace the same PPE regularly or are kitting out your team in one go, order in bulk to reduce costs.

CHOOSE HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS

Poor-quality PPE is cheaper for a reason. Avoid paying for replacement equipment sooner than necessary by investing in high-quality PPE.

SWITCH TO A SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLIER

Get a good deal and stay on top of spending by ordering all of your PPE from the same supplier.

USE AN ONLINE ORDERING PORTAL

Take the hard work out of managing PPE procurement by using an online ordering portal. MY-SMI® makes keeping track of stock and spending easy.

CHOOSE REUSABLE PPE

Save money and the planet by choosing reusable PPE whenever possible. Always search for multi-use PPE before ordering disposable alternatives.

WHY TEAMING UP WITH SMI IS THE RIGHT SOLUTION

Is a single source PPE supplier the right choice for your business? We can help you decide. 

BENEFITS OF USING MY-SMI®:

• Budget management and spend controls
• Simple, fast, and user-friendly ordering system
• Streamlined PPE procurement - one supplier, one account, one invoice

You may be able to get exclusive and better deals on your PPE by signing up for a MY-SMI® account.

Give us a call on 0330 441 3500, to find out how switching to our single source supplier can benefit your business. 

FAQs

Who must cover the cost of PPE?

Employers must purchase PPE for their workforce to comply with HSE regulations. It’s your responsibility as an employer to make sure your team has the correct protective equipment and workwear. 

How is the cost of PPE determined?

The cost of PPE will depend on the type of equipment needed, the product quality, and the size of the order. 

For example, powered respirators are significantly more expensive than disposable face coverings. Low-quality PPE is often cheaper, but is unlikely to offer reliable long-term performance.

What is the VAT rate of PPE?

The standard VAT rate of 20% is added to the cost of PPE in the UK. VAT is applied to all PPE products, from protective clothing to specialist equipment.