Purchasing personal protective equipment
For many businesses, workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as safety supplies represent a day-to-day essential. Purchasing the right PPE is key, as this will help to minimise the risks associated with performing hazardous tasks and may even save lives.
However, because onsite workwear is so commonplace, companies do not always put a lot of thought into their policies on PPE purchasing and use. It may be seen as a mundane formality rather than a decision-making process that requires careful consideration.
One of the most vital considerations when developing a PPE policy is knowing that protective workwear should always be seen as an addition to a rigorous workplace safety policy rather than a replacement for it. PPE is designed to offer protection against possible injury-causing hazards such as dangerous machinery, falls from height, toxic substances and extreme temperatures - all of which are dangers that should ideally be eliminated through careful risk management and safe systems of work.
A key mistake that companies can make is adopting a generic approach when allocating workwear, workplace supplies and PPE rather than actually thinking about the specific needs of the job at hand. Not all items of PPE are the same. Regulators have strict rules in place to make sure that any protective workwear used in professional circumstances is fit for purpose, and these rules need to be followed at all times. It is also important to take the time to make sure staff members are well-trained and know exactly how to use PPE.
High-quality PPE is designed to be durable, but nothing lasts forever, especially when exposed to regular wear and tear. That’s why it is vital to look after workwear and to replace it when it is no longer fit for use. Good health and safety in the workplace requires continual investment and monitoring, and PPE and workwear are no exception.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.