Personal protective equipment PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can be used to protect people against health and safety risks.

Personal protective equipment might include:

• Eye protection.
• Face covering.
• Gloves.
• Harnesses.
• Hearing protection.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Protective clothing.
• Respiratory equipment.
• Safety footwear.
• Safety helmets.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 control the use of PPE at work, other than respiratory equipment, cycle helmets and crash helmets which are covered by other regulations.

Employers are responsible for providing personal protective equipment in the workplace free of charge, however, it should be used only as a last resort, when exposure to risks cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.

If it is not used, or if it fails PPE, does not provide protection and so it is important to ensure that PPE is:

• Assessed to ensure it offers the right level of protection.
• Suitable for the conditions and duration of use.
• Does not interfere with the job.
• Does not introduce another risk (such as heat stress or inability to communicate).
• Maintained, cleaned, stored and replaced properly, with responsibility for these activities clearly allocated and understood.
• Checked for defects.
• Provided with instructions and training.
• Used correctly.
• ‘CE’ marked and compliant with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations.
• The correct size, fit and weight.
• Easy to adjust.
• Comfortable – if possible let the user choose it.
• Compatible with other items.
• Checked to ensure it remains suitable when the job changes.

In 2021, the government launched a consultation, proposing to change the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations,to legally require employers to provide PPE to limb (b) workers. Limb (b) workers are workers who carry out casual or irregular work for one or a number of organisations. They are currently required to provide their own PPE. Ref https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/cd289-amends-ppe-work-regs-1992/

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[edit] External references

• Health and Safety Executive, Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work, A brief guide. 2013.
• The British Safety Industry Federation.
• HSE, Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Second edition). 2005
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations. 1992.
• HSE Personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Different types of PPE