Above the Waist PPE Market Size - By Product, End Use, Channel Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Above the Waist PPE Market Size

According to a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc., the global above the waist PPE market was estimated at USD 63.21 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 67.39 billion in 2025 to USD 118.11 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.4%.

The above-the-waist PPE segment is currently experiencing high growth due to the increased anxiety over employee safety in the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas and healthcare industries. The rising cases of accidents and injuries in the workplace have increased the need to use protective gears such as helmets, face shields, respirators and protective eye gears.
 

• Organizations are focusing on employees health as part of their occupational safety measures, a direct driver of upholding the use of PPE products. This increasing risk reduction focus has made PPE a necessity and not a secondary safety precaution.
   
• The other crucial factor which has contributed to the growth of the market is increased awareness of occupational hazards. As people learn more about the health effects of long-term exposure to dangerous materials, sound, and aerosols, employees and employers are demanding higher quality protective equipment.
   
• Educational activities, workplace safety training programs and improved observation of safety measures have also enabled the adoption of PPE. This change of attitude towards reactive safety measures to preventive ones is dramatically impacting market penetration of above-the-waist safety measures.
   
• Tough government laws have also been a key driver in market expansion. Rules on worker protection in hazardous work environments such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and other bodies across the world have made it strict to comply with.
   
• Companies face heavy fines and operational risks due to non-compliance, and this is forcing organizations to invest more in PPE. These constant secures make the demand for protective products constant, and this helps provide the market with an even more attractive long-term outlook.
   
• The market is also being improved by technological advancement of PPE materials. Innovative technologies in lightweight, protective, and breathable fabrics are enhancing the comfort of the wearer and simultaneously ensuring high levels of protection.
   
• Anti-fog coating in eyewear, smart helmets with inbuilt sensors and improved respiratory filters are gaining massive adoption. The above-the-waist PPE innovations not only fulfill the regulatory requirements but also enhance the user experience, resulting in long-term demand and a growth of the market in different parts of the world.
   
• North America accounts for 42.4% of the above the waist PPE market based on a strong safety culture, the high levels of industrial activity, and high prevalence and adoption in industries such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing in 2024.
   
• Based on product, above the waist PPE industry is 42.1% in hand protection due to the high frequency of hand injuries across manufacturing, healthcare, and construction industries requiring some form of hand protection in 2024.
   
• Based on end use, oil & gas is the largest segment with 24.7% of the market share given the high-risk operational environment and stringent compliance across exploration, drilling, and refining activities in 2024.
   
• Based on channel, industrial MRO is the largest segment, accounting for 80.2% of above the waist PPE market share reflecting the high reliance on ongoing maintenance, repair, and operations services to supply industry segments with ongoing PPE, safety and compliance.
   

Above the Waist PPE Market Trends

• A robust customization and designing trend is being observed in the above the waist PPE industry. Businesses are also paying more attention to PPE, which is protective and comfortable enough to allow employees to work without any limitations. The change is also fueled by the increasing demand for user-friendly designs that promote compliance and make wearing protective gear less of an issue when working long hours.
   
• The other trend that has been highly noticed is the adoption of smart and connected technologies in PPE. Smart helmets, augmented reality (AR) safety glasses, sensors in protective gear, and the like are embraced to track the health and environmental conditions of workers in real time. This digitization of protective equipment is making PPE more of an active safety tool than a passive form of protection.
   
• The concept of sustainability is also becoming a trend in the PPE industry. Due to the growing need for green products, manufactures are moving toward using materials that are eco-friendly, fabrics that can be recycled, and processes that are more sustainable.
   
• Another trend is the increase in demand for industry-specific PPE solutions based on unique risks in the workplace. Companies are not only trying to find PPE that fits a specific niche, like chemical manufacturing, mining, or healthcare. This customization is not only enabling manufacturers to distinguish themselves within a competitive market; it is also enabling them to increase the level of worker safety in highly specific hazardous environments.
   

Above the Waist PPE Market Analysis

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Based on product, the market is segmented into head protection, eye & face protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and hand protection. The hand protection segment was valued at USD 42.1 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand to 6.5% CAGR during 2025 to 2034.
 

• Protective visions like head protection, eye and face protection, and hearing protection are enjoying steady demand in construction, manufacturing, and mining trades where physical danger levels are high. They are making these products lighter and also, they are using ergonomically designed products, which are comfortable and safe, and this enables them to be used in more working places.
   
• Respiratory protection is increasingly becoming popular with growing knowledge on air hazards and occupational infections in various industries such as chemical, oil and gas, and health care. Hand protection remains a significant category, as well, and cut-resistant, chemical-resistant, and heat-resistant gloves have also been improved to make them easier to use in different settings. The overall development of these product segments underscores the fact that the market is increasingly becoming holistic and is providing solutions that address the various risks that workers experience in different working environments.
   

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The oil & gas segment was valued at USD 15.6 billion in 2024 and gained 6.1% CAGR from 2025 to 2034 with a market share of 24.7%.
 

• The market of PPEs above the waist is experiencing intense growth in various end use sectors due to the ongoing intensification of safety requirements and risk awareness. Construction and manufacturing also qualify as critical demand generators because workers are highly exposed to physical dangers, heavy machinery, and accident-prone working environments. Stricter workplace standards are strengthening PPE use in these sectors by guaranteeing consistent and sustained market growth across projects of all sizes.
   
• The additional demand is being fueled by the oil and gas, chemical and mining industries, which are characterized by high-risk working conditions exposing their workers to toxic substances, chemical fumes, and explosive risk. In this case, PPE is being considered a mandatory safety measure, and respiratory, head, and face protection are taking the center stage in ensuring the health of workers is preserved. This is a proactive and preventive model that is creating a culture of dependence on high-level defensive systems in these sectors.
   
• The food, pharmaceutical, and transportation sectors are also playing an increasing role in market growth. These are industries where a PPE is needed, both to protect employees and to ensure the quality of products, hygiene, and adherence to international safety requirements. The rising demand for industry-specific protective equipment in these various industries is creating a balanced demand base which is guaranteeing that the market will grow in both the traditional heavy industries as well as the new regulated industries.
   

Above the waist PPE market based on channel is segmented into retail and industrial MRO. The industrial MRO segment was valued at USD 50.7 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand to 6.3% of CAGR during 2025 to 2034.
 

• The above the waist PPE industry is growing in retail and industrial MRO channels, as the value of safety compliance and availability grows. The retail channel is rising in popularity as small and medium businesses, along with individuals, are pursuing a convenient means of accessing protective equipment both in the form of physical stores and online shopping. This is being encouraged by the increased number of workers who are doing informal or contract based work and who need easily available and affordable safety clothing.
   
• The industrial MRO channel, however, still plays a significant role in the case of large-scale industries that need to procure in bulk and make standardized purchases of PPE. Businesses within the construction industry, oil and gas industry, manufacturing industry, etc. use MRO suppliers to have a steady supply, quality assurance and regulation. Long-term relationships between suppliers and enterprises can also be established through this channel, allowing timely renewing and updating of protective equipment. The two mediums are collaborating in providing a balanced market structure which meets the needs of mass users and institutional purchasers.
   

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North America Above the Waist PPE Market
 

U.S. market for above the waist PPE was valued at USD 23.3 billion in 2024 and expected to grow at a 6.6% CAGR from 2025-2034.
 

• U.S., Canada, and Mexico significantly contribute to the above the waist PPE industry. The region is also experiencing stringent workplace safety regulations, particularly in the oil and gas and construction industries as well as healthcare. As more and more people become educated about the dangers of occupational hazards and OSHA regulations, the need in high-tech PPE, including respiratory protection equipment and protective eyewear, keeps growing. The region is also empowered by the presence of major world manufacturers and an innovation culture around smart PPE technologies.
   
• Moreover, Mexico is becoming a big market in the North America since its manufacturing and building industry is also growing. An increase in industrial investment and partnerships with multinational corporations are increasing the usage of PPE within industries. Access to safety products is also on the increase through the growth of e-commerce channels and local distribution networks. This greater penetration combined with the enforcement of regulations is making Mexico a high potential growth center in the region.
  
   

Europe Above the Waist PPE Market
 

Europe had a significant share in above the waist PPE industry in 2024 and is expected to increase at a steady rate from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Above the waist PPE sector in Europe is growing through the central markets of Germany, France, the UK and Italy. Tough EU regulations plus robust industrial and construction practices are guaranteeing stable demand for PPE solutions. Other manufacturers based in Europe are also considering the use of sustainable and recyclable PPE materials, which are compatible with the environmental responsibility that the region holds in high regard. Innovative safety technologies and smart PPE are highly adopted and are transforming the market dynamics in these countries.
   
• There is also increased demand with increasing industrialization and infrastructure developments in Eastern European countries, such as Poland and Czech Republic. The demand to conform to EU safety standards in these new markets is providing new markets to PPE suppliers. Further, investments by governments in worker safety awareness campaigns are also pushing industries to use sophisticated measures of protection, which will help expand the market outside the already developed economies of Western Europe.
  
   

Asia-Pacific Above the Waist PPE Market
 

Asia-Pacific market for the above the waist PPE is expected to experience promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The Asia Pacific market is growing mostly in China, India and Japan. The accelerated industrialization, urbanization and massive development of infrastructures are leading to increased PPE adoption in the construction, manufacturing and mining industries. In these nations, governments are also tightening their safety protocols, which are increasing the purchases of quality protective gear. Another factor in favor of market penetration is the increasing availability of local manufactures with cost-effective solutions.
   
• Indeed, Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are also witnessing a PPE demand surge. Their expanding industrial base with investments by multinational corporations is generating good market potential. More retail and distribution channels in these countries and a growing awareness of worker safety are facilitating broader access to protective equipment, and APAC is one of the most dynamic areas of market development.
  
   

Latin America Above the Waist PPE Market
 

The above the waist PPE industry in Latin America is expected to experience significant growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The emerging countries in the Latin America above the waist PPE industry include Brazil, Argentina and Chile. PPE demand is driven by the growth of oil and gas, mining and construction sectors in these countries. To minimize accidents at the workplace, local governments are enacting stricter safety rules that are pushing industries to use protective gears. Partnerships and distribution networks are also another way through which multinational players are increasing their presence in the region.
   
• Moreover, the newly developed markets like Colombia and Peru are also demonstrating the increasing potential due to the increase of the industrial activity. These nations are also investing in infrastructure and mining activities which are both consume high amounts of PPE. The availability of protection equipment at affordable rates by domestic and international suppliers is only boosting the rate of adoption and making Latin America a growing market.
  
   

Middle East and Africa Above the Waist PPE Market
 

The above the waist PPE industry in Middle East and Africa is expected to experience significant growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and South Africa are the main movers of the above the waist PPE industry in the Middle East and Africa. Blistering development of oil and gas, construction and industrial projects is straining the use of protective solutions. Governments in such countries are introducing more stringent safety requirements, especially in risky sectors, with a steady adoption of improved PPE products. There is also the long-term demand that is being driven by infrastructure mega-projects.
   
• Nigeria and Kenya are also emerging African nations where an increase in PPE adoption is being observed. The need to protect workers is being fueled by the expansion of construction and mining activities as well as international investments. The emergence of more awareness programs and the necessity to further promote and improve the culture of safety at the workplace is also contributing to market development and making MEA a better place to work in the future.
   

Above the Waist PPE Market Share

• The top 5 companies in the Above the Waist PPE industry are 3M, Honeywell International, Inc., MSA Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Ansell Ltd contributing around 55% of the market in 2024, whose dominance is facilitated by technological edge, streamlined production, and dominance of supply chain within the regions.
   
• 3M maintain its status in the above the waist PPE market by continuously developing respiratory protection, headgear, and protective eyewear. The company builds on the strengths of sophisticated material science and combined intelligent solutions to achieve high safety requirements and improve user comfort.
   
• Honeywell International, Inc. has been able to stay on top of the pack by providing a variety of protective equipment with an emphasis on technologically advanced and durable products. It has a well-established distribution base in the world and met international safety standards, which guarantees the domination of the market in the long run.
   
• MSA Company retains its position as it focuses on high-performance respiratory protection, face, and head protection to serve high-risk industries. The company has invested heavily in safety-oriented innovation and R&D that keeps its products on the edge of the most perilous workplace hazards.
   
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation focuses on comfort and hygiene-driven above the waist PPE, especially within the healthcare and pharmaceutical settings. Its reputation as a producer of quality protective clothing and accessories allows it to be used in industries requiring a high level of safety and hygiene.
   
• Ansell Ltd maintains its status through the diversification of its portfolio of protective solutions to include gloves, respiratory gears as well as face protection. The firm is heavily relying on material innovation and overseas partnership as it attempts to acquire access and compliance in most industries regions.
   

Above the Waist PPE Market Companies

Major players operating in the above the waist PPE industry are:
 

• Safety Products, Inc.
• 3M
• Drager
• Radians
• SureWerx USA, Inc
• Honeywell International, Inc.
• Hellberg Safety
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• MSA Company
• Protective Industrial Products
• ERB Industries, Inc
• MCR Safety Inc.
• Ansell Ltd
• Alpha Pro Tech
• Avon Protection
• UVEX
• Mallcom
• Gateway Safety Inc.
• BartelsRieger Atemschutztechnik GmbH
• Polison Corporation
   
• The above the waist PPE market environment is competitive due to introduction of global giants and regional experts, all aimed at creating innovations, adhering to and delivering strength in distribution to sustain position in the market.
   
• To maintain its high rate of growth, these companies continually invest in research and development in order to launch the latest materials, ergonomic solutions, and intelligent technologies, including sensor-equipped helmets and connected eyewear.
   
• They will be guaranteed high brand loyalty and a high uptake rate by aligning their product lines with evolving safety and workplace comfort standards across industries. The fact that they have become members and certified regarding the regulatory provisions make them reputable suppliers too, particularly to large companies that are running their operations in a hazardous environment.
   
• In an effort to remain competitive, the market players seek to adopt strategies of broadening their distribution channels, establishing business relations with industrial customers and enhancing e-commerce to access retail.
   
• Sustainability has been a critical concern, and numerous players have adopted recyclable materials and other eco-friendly materials to meet the global ESG requirements. Furthermore, consolidations, takeovers, and alliances have helped them to increase their geographical coverage, technological and knowledge capacity and hence they can capture new markets and new economic systems.
   
• All these strategic move have been crucial in the market where it is has incessant innovation, high supply and healthy competitive advantage to push the industry to develop.
   

Above the Waist PPE Market News

• In June 2025, Ansell introduced its KIMTECH cleanroom PPE line in Japan and has diversified its lab and cleanroom product portfolio into an important market in APAC. This introduction complements the range of Ansell products in the field of above the waist protection customized to scientific and medical use.
   
• In June 2025, Kimberly-Clark sold a 51% interest in its foreign tissue division to a joint venture with Suzano at a valuation of 3.4 billion dollars with a 49% retention interest. This will help the company ease operations and focus on more profitable and growth markets and will help with the redistribution of resources that will indirectly affect core PPE-related hygiene markets.
   
• In May 2025, MSA changed ownership to M&C TechGroup (a gas detection and process safety specialist), increasing its detection and process safety offerings. The transaction helped to boost more sales of the detectors and assists its strategic expansion into the high growth PPE segments.
   
• In May 2025, Honeywell International, Inc. sold its Personal Protective Equipment business to Protective Industrial Products (PIP). This sell-off represents the beginning of Honeywell leaving the PPE market, rebalancing competitor dynamics and creating space to allow other players in the above-waist protection to focus on greater specialization.
   

The above the waist PPE market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Head protection
  •  Safety helmets and hard hats
    • Class A
    • Class B
    • Class C
  • Bump caps 
• Eye & face protection
  • Safety spectacles
  • Goggles
  • Welding shields
  • Laser safety goggle
  • Face shields
• Hearing protection
  • Single-use earplugs
  • Pre-formed or molded earplugs
  • Earmuffs
• Respiratory protection
  • SCBA-fire service
  • SCBA-industrial
  • APR-disposal
  • Emergency escape devices
• Hand protection

Market, By End Use

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Oil & Gas
• Chemical
• Food
• Pharmaceuticals
• Transportation
• Mining
• Others

Market, By Channel

• Retail
• Industrial MRO

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa