Construction apprentices need the tools their trade and current assignment call for, plus safety gear selected for the hazards on site—not one universal starter kit. Before buying anything, get the required-tool and PPE list from your employer or apprenticeship program. In the U.S., federal OSHA rules generally require employers to provide PPE needed to meet construction standards, subject to specific exceptions.
Start with your trade and assignment
A tool list for one construction trade may be wrong for another, and even apprentices in the same trade may have different needs depending on the job. Ask your employer or apprenticeship program which hand tools are required for your current assignment, which tools will be supplied, and whether any items must meet a particular site specification.
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- Get the current tool list before purchasing tools.
- Confirm which tools are employer- or program-supplied and which, if any, you are expected to bring.
- Ask about required PPE, approved specifications, and site rules before buying personal gear.
Match PPE to the hazards
OSHA’s construction guidance covers eye and face, head, hearing, hand, foot, and respiratory protection. Which items you need—and what kind—depends on the hazards and the work. Use your employer’s hazard assessment and site requirements rather than treating this list as a universal kit.
Eye and face protection
OSHA requires appropriate eye or face protection for specified hazards, including flying particles. Where flying objects are a hazard, protection must include side protection. OSHA also requires protectors to provide adequate protection and fit snugly. A useful product-search phrase is ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses with side shields, but confirm that the eyewear meets your employer’s specification and suits the task before purchasing it. See OSHA’s eye and face protection standard.
#1 Best Overall
- Tool Kit with 11 tools for the beginning apprentice
- 11-Piece Tool Set with four screwdrivers that feature Cushion-Grip handles for greater torque and less fatigue
- Angled-Head Diagonal-Cutters feature short jaws and beveled cutting edges for close cutting of wire
- 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers with extended handles provide added reach and leverage
- All items are proudly made in the USA
Head, hearing, hand, foot, and respiratory protection
Ask which protections the worksite’s hazards require. A hard hat may be needed where head hazards exist; gloves should suit the material and task; and OSHA’s construction PPE guidance gives footwear with slip- and puncture-resistant soles as an example. Hearing and respiratory protection also depend on exposure and the applicable worksite requirements. A generic glove or pair of shoes is not automatically appropriate for every job. OSHA’s Construction PPE quick card describes common categories and examples.
Fall protection
Fall protection is part of a worksite safety system, not a harness to select on your own as a starter-kit purchase. The applicable protection depends on the work and hazard. Employers must train employees who may be exposed to fall hazards. Ask your employer what system applies and get the required equipment and training before doing exposed work. See OSHA’s construction fall-protection training standard.
Rank #2
- Includes 11-piece apprentice tool set with 4 pliers, wire stripper, 4 screwdrivers, tool belt and pouch. All items made in the USA.
- Features auto-ranging clamp meter to measure AC current, voltage, resistance and continuity. Test lead holder for hands-free operation.
- Comes with GFCI receptacle tester to detect wiring issues in outlets and dual-range non-contact voltage detector.
- Contains voltage tester to measure AC and DC voltage at commonly used residential levels.
- Proudly made in the USA. Klein Tools provides 6 generations of expertise in every tool.
Who pays for required PPE?
Under federal construction rules, employers generally provide PPE required to comply with OSHA standards at no cost to employees. The rule has exceptions, including non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear when the employer permits those items to be worn off the job site. This does not mean an employer always pays for every item a worker might choose to buy.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11If you provide your own PPE, the employer remains responsible for ensuring it is adequate, maintained, and sanitary. State-plan OSHA requirements may differ or be more stringent than federal rules, so check the applicable state plan and ask your employer how the rule applies at your site. See 29 CFR § 1926.95 and OSHA’s construction PPE overview. OSHA says the fit-related revision described in that overview became effective January 13, 2025.
Rank #3
- 28-Piece Tool Kit with high quality commonly used hand tools for the professional or apprentice
- Tool Kit includes: 4 types of pliers, 6 screwdrivers, 7 nut drivers, hex key set, torpedo level, crimper/cutting tool, wire stripper/cutter
- Kit also includes: NCVT with flashlight, GFCI tester, utility knife, tape measure, canvas zipper bag, tool bag backpack, and protective eyewear
- 39-Pocket Tradesman Pro Tool Bag Backpack (Cat. No. 55421BP-14) features a hard, molded front pocket for safety glasses and the Canvas Zipper Bag (Cat. No. 5139) is made of No. 10 canvas
- 4 Pliers: 8-Inch Heavy-Duty Long Nose Side-Cutters, 9-Inch Pliers with Fish Tape Puller, 8-Inch Diagonal-Cutters with Angled Head, 10-Inch Pump Pliers (Cat. Nos. D203-8, D213-9NETP, D248-8, D502-10)
Keep tools safe to use
Whether a tool is yours or supplied by your employer, it must be maintained in safe condition. Power tools designed for guards must have those guards in place when in use. Check tools before using them and follow site procedures for damaged or unsafe equipment; do not use a tool with a missing guard where one is designed for it. OSHA states in 29 CFR § 1926.300(a): “All hand and power tools and similar equipment, whether furnished by the employer or the employee, shall be maintained in a safe condition.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Heavy-duty for Milwaukee.. tools selected for utility linework applications Ergonomic, anti-slip grips for secure handling with gloves Weather-resistant PACKOUT carrying bag for easy transport and protection Includes pliers, cable cutters, screwdrivers, skinning knives, and more essentials
Rank #4
- 6-Piece tool set is perfect for the professional, apprentice worker, or do-it-yourselfer
- Tool Kit with 9-Inch High-Leverage Lineman's Pliers that feature a rivet closer to the cutting edge for 46-Percent more cutting and gripping power
- Angled-Head Diagonal-Cutters feature short jaws and beveled cutting edges permit close cutting of wire
- Wire stripper is compact, lightweight and designed to cut 10-18 AWG solid wire
- Forged in the USA with custom, US-made tool steel for maximum durability
What to confirm before your first day
- Ask for the list: Get the tool and PPE requirements for your trade and current assignment from your employer or apprenticeship program.
- Check what is supplied: Confirm which tools and protective equipment the employer provides and what, if anything, you are expected to bring.
- Verify specifications and fit: Ask whether eyewear, footwear, or other PPE must meet a site standard, and make sure any personal gear is appropriate for the hazard and fits correctly.
- Get fall-protection instructions: If the work could expose you to a fall hazard, ask what protection and training are required before starting that work.
- Inspect tools before use: Use tools in safe condition and keep required guards in place.
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