INTRODUCTION

Personal protective equipment (PPE) means all equipment (including clothing giving protection against the weather) which is worn or held to protect against risks to health or safety. The main legislation governing PPE at work is the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992. PPE includes the following, when worn for health and safety protection:-

(a)protective clothing (e.g., aprons, gloves, footwear, helmets, high visibility waistcoats)

(b)protective equipment (e.g., eye protectors, respirators, safety harnesses).

Some specific legislation contains details of PPE requirements that must be considered when undertaken an assessment of your needs (e.g., Noise at Work Regulations 1989, Control of Asbestos at Work Regs 1987, COSHH 2002).

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

1.Provision of PPE:  Employers must ensure that suitable PPE is provided to employees exposed to a risk to their health or safety except where the risk has been adequately controlled by other equally, or more effective means. ‘Suitability’ is by reference to:

  • being appropriate to the risks and workplace conditions.
  • the ergonomics and state of health of the person
  • being capable of fitting the wearer correctly
  • being effective in preventing or adequately controlling the risk without increasing an overall risk.
  • complying with any other provision implementing any PPE EC Directive.

PPE should be seen as a last resort in the hierarchy of control measures; it should be made readily available (in most cases on a personal basis); no charge can be levied; ergonomic factors should be considered i.e., match the PPE to the person; quality must be ensured i.e., to be certified (‘CE’ marked) as meeting basic safety requirements.

2.Compatibility of PPE: This is required where more than one piece of PPE is worn.

3.Assessment is needed to ensure the suitability of the PPE to be provided.  This should include assessment of the risks, the PPE risk protection characteristics and a comparison of PPE available. It should follow on from, but not duplicate, risk assessments carried out under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

4.Maintenance and Replacement: PPE should be maintained (including replaced or cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.  Responsibilities, procedures (including frequencies) should be established and appropriate records kept.

5.Accommodation: Suitable accommodation must be provided for the safe storage of PPE.  Contaminated or defective PPE should also be segregated.

6.Information, instruction and training needs to be provided in a systematic way; it should cover users, managers/supervisors and repair/maintenance/test personnel. Records should be kept. Training to be both theoretical and practical, induction and refresher as necessary.

7.Use of PPE: There are duties on employers, self-employed persons and employees to ensure the proper use of PPE.

8.Reporting of loss/defect - to the employer.

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PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

Part 2 of booklet L25 - ‘Guidance on Regulations - The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992’ contains detailed advice and references on the selection, use and maintenance of PPE widely used in industry.  The following table is a summary only of the advice.  Details on more specialised equipment can be found in the References/Further Details section.

Body Part ProtectedTypes of ProtectionProcesses and Activities (ExamplesSelection (Comments)Maintenance (Advice)
HEAD
  • Crash/riding helmets
  • Safety helmets
  • Bump caps
  • Other caps (entanglement protection)
<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Construction/building work<sty sys-item>Work near hoists, etc<sty sys-item>Tree felling<sty sys-item>Potential for objects falling from height<sty sys-align-left>
  • Appropriate shell size with adjustable strap
  • Compatibility with conditions
<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Not stored in direct sunlight or hot/humid conditions<sty sys-item>Visual inspections<sty sys-item>Cleansing of sweat bands, etc<sty sys-item>If damaged or deteriorates, replace
EYES
  • Safety spectacles
  • Eyeshields
  • Goggles
  • Welding, ie. filters, etc
<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Chemicals<sty sys-item>Powered tools<sty sys-item>Welding<sty sys-item>Gases under pressure<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Safety spectacles: light, appropriate style, lateral protection<sty sys-item>Safety goggles: heavier, possible less convenient but more all round cover, more prone to misting<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Cleaning of lenses<sty sys-item>Replace if scratched or pitted<sty sys-item>Personal issue
FEETS
  • Safety boots or shoes
  • Safety wellingtons

  • Construction
  • Mechanical or manual handling
  • Thermal
  • Chemical

  • Soles
  • - slip/chemical resistance
  • Heat resistance
  • Waterproof?
  • Electrical hazards?
<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Cleaning<sty sys-item>Protective covering maintenance<sty sys-item>Discard/dispose of worn or deteriorated items<sty sys-align-left>

HANDS/ARMS

  • Protection against cuts, abrasion, temperature, skin irritation
<sty sys-list><sty sys-item>Manual handling (NB. entanglement danger near machinery)<sty sys-item>Vibration eg. chainsaws<sty sys-item>Outdoor work<sty sys-item>Thermal<sty sys-item>Chemical, etc<sty sys-align-left>
  • Degree of protection required against:-
  • penetration/abrasion
  • thermal conditions
  • fire
  • chemicals
  • general use

  • Cleaning
  • Regular checking and discard if worn or deteriorated
  • Minimise contact with chemicals

BODY
  • Overalls, aprons, etc.
  • Thermal outfits
  • Physical (eg. machinery)
  • Visibility
  • Life jackets

  • Construction/outdoor work
  • Cold stores
  • Food processing
  • Welding
  • Agricultural eg. chainsaw

  • Appropriate protection against chemicals and hazardous substances including:
  • low risk chemicals
  • strong solvents, oils and greases
  • fibres and dusts, etc

  • Appropriate maintenance, checking and discard if damaged.

CHECKLIST -

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

1Is PPE that is not covered by other specific existing legislation required for work at your premises?YesNo
2Can processes or activities be changed to eliminate the need for PPE?YesNo
3Have you assessed the PPE requirement to ensure that suitable PPE is selected and provided?YesNo
4Where more than one piece of PPE is worn, do you take steps to ensure compatibility?YesNo
5Does the PPE comply with UK legislation implementing EC directives concerning designand manufacture of PPE (i.e. is it CE marked?)YesNo
6Do you have a system of maintenance and replacement for PPE, and appropriate record keeping?YesNo
7Is suitable accommodation provided for PPE?YesNo
8Do you provide systematic information, instruction and training on PPE for employees?YesNo
9Do you have a PPE loss/defect reporting system?YesNo

REFERENCE/FURTHER DETAILS

1.Booklet L25 - Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (HSE)ISBN 0-7176-04152(£5.75)

2.  HS(G) 53. The Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment- A Practical Guide (HSE) (1998)(ISBN 0-7176-1537-5) (£9.50)

3.Control of Lead at Work - ACoP (HSE) ISBN 0-11-883780-X

4.Booklet L5 - General & Carcinogens COSHH ACoPs (HSE)

ISBN 0 7176 2534 6

5.Construction (Head Protection) Regulations - Guidance on Regulations (HSE)ISBN 0-11-885503-4

6.Leaflet IND(G)174.  A Short Guide to the PPE at Work Regulations 1992.(1995) (ISBN 07176 08891) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf

Leaflet IND(G)330. Selecting protective gloves for work with chemicals. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg330.pdf

Leaflet EM6.PPE for working with asbestos.pdf

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(See also: COSHH; Respiratory Protective Equipment)

Links:

6.Leaflet IND(G)174.  A Short Guide to the PPE at Work Regulations 1992.(1995) (ISBN 07176 08891) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf

Leaflet IND(G)330. Selecting protective gloves for work with chemicals. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg330.pdf

Leaflet INDG 288. Selection of RPE for work with Asbestos http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg288.pdf