25 June 2025 Protective Coveralls Explained: Types, Standards & How To Choose The Right Coveralls
What Are Protective Coveralls Used For?
Protective coveralls are full-body garments designed to help protect the wearer, their clothing and the workplace from contamination. They are commonly used when workers may be exposed to dust, dirt, paint, light chemical splash, biological materials or other workplace contaminants.
Disposable protective coveralls are used across industries such as construction, painting, cleaning, asbestos-related work, silica dust environments, food processing, laboratories, healthcare, maintenance and general industrial work.
The right coverall depends on the hazard, exposure level, material, seam construction, comfort, fit and compatibility with other PPE such as gloves, respirators, goggles and safety footwear.
Coverall Standards Explained
Protective coveralls may reference different standards depending on their intended use. In Australia and New Zealand, AS/NZS 4501.2 relates to occupational protective clothing and covers general requirements such as sizing, ergonomics, durability, marking and manufacturer information.
Some disposable coveralls also reference European type classifications, which help identify whether the garment is designed for gas-tight protection, liquid-tight protection, spray protection, airborne solid particles or limited splash protection.
Where biological hazards are involved, coveralls may also reference EN 14126, which relates to protective clothing against infective agents.
Important Reminder
Standards and type ratings help compare garments, but they do not replace a workplace risk assessment. Always consider the actual hazard, exposure level and PPE requirements for the task.
Disposable Coverall Types Explained
Coverall type ratings explain what kind of protection the garment has been designed to provide.
TYPE 1
Gas Tight
Highest level chemical protection. Used in high-risk chemical environments and emergency response.
TYPE 2
Positive Pressure
Non-gas-tight suits that retain positive pressure. Used in specialist hazardous environments.
TYPE 3
Liquid Tight
Designed to protect against strong jets of liquid and higher-risk liquid chemical exposure.
TYPE 4
Spray Tight
Provides protection against liquid spray and saturation where high-pressure liquid jets are not present.
TYPE 5
Dust & Particles
Designed to help protect against airborne solid particles such as dust, asbestos-related particles and silica dust.
TYPE 6
Light Splash
Provides limited protection against light liquid spray, mist and small splashes.
Coveralls with combined ratings, such as Type 5/6 coveralls, are designed to provide protection across both listed categories.
Common Applications For Each Coverall Type
| Type | Protection | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Gas-tight chemical protection | Emergency response, high-risk chemical handling |
| Type 2 | Non-gas-tight positive pressure protection | Specialist hazardous industrial environments |
| Type 3 | Liquid-tight protection against strong jets | Chemical handling and high-pressure liquid exposure |
| Type 4 | Spray-tight protection | Liquid spray, saturation and lower-pressure chemical exposure |
| Type 5 | Airborne solid particle protection | Dust, asbestos-related work, silica dust and dry particles |
| Type 6 | Limited light spray and splash protection | Painting, cleaning, light chemical splash and general industrial tasks |
Coverall Materials: PP Vs SMS
PP
Polypropylene Coveralls
Polypropylene coveralls are lightweight disposable coveralls made from non-woven fabric. They are generally suited to low-risk environments where workers need basic protection from non-hazardous dirt, dust or contamination.
- Lightweight and breathable
- Suitable for visitors and hygiene areas
- Best for low-risk tasks
- Cost-effective disposable protection
SMS
SMS Coveralls
SMS stands for spunbond-meltblown-spunbond. SMS coveralls are made from layered polypropylene fibres, with the meltblown layer helping improve filtration against fine particles and light liquid splash.
- Stronger than basic PP coveralls
- Better particle barrier
- Suitable for industrial use
- Useful for dust and light splash applications
ABL's Choice: Protective Coveralls For Different Uses
Different tasks require different coverall materials and protection levels. Below are some ABL coverall options to consider.
ABL Blue Polypropylene Protective Coveralls
Suitable for general hygiene, visitor protection, light-duty workplace tasks and low-risk environments where basic disposable clothing protection is required.
View ProductABL White Polypropylene Protective Coveralls
A lightweight disposable option for general protection against non-hazardous dirt, dust and workplace contamination in low-risk applications.
View ProductABL Blue SMS Protective Coveralls
Designed for workplaces needing a stronger disposable coverall with improved particle filtration and light splash protection compared to basic polypropylene.
View ProductABL White SMS Protective Coveralls
A practical choice for industrial, hygiene, maintenance and dust-related applications where SMS material provides a more durable protective barrier.
View ProductHow To Wear Disposable Coveralls Correctly
1
Inspect
Check for tears, holes, faulty zips or damaged seams before use.
2
Dress
Put the suit on carefully and make sure wrists, ankles and the body are covered.
3
Check Fit
Move around to confirm the coverall is not pulling, tearing or restricting movement.
4
Seal
Use suitable tape or glove connectors where required by the task.
5
Remove Safely
Roll the suit outward so the contaminated outer surface is contained.
6
Dispose
Dispose of the coverall according to workplace procedures.
Safety Notice: Do Not Reuse Disposable Coveralls
Disposable coveralls are designed for limited use. Once contaminated, damaged or removed after a hazardous task, they should be disposed of correctly. Reusing disposable coveralls can increase the risk of contamination and reduce protection.
Still Unsure Which Coveralls You Need?
ABL Distribution can help you compare disposable coveralls and choose a suitable option for your workplace.
Call: (07) 5618 5100
Email: sales@abldistribution.com.au
