Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Once you have carried out a risk assessment, you may find one possible control measure used to protect people at work is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
| safety helmets |
ear defenders |
| goggles |
gloves |
| safety boots |
safety shoes |
| thermal or reflective clothing |
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), including breathing apparatus |
Such items are covered by the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992, which defines PPE as "all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him/her against one or more risks to their health or safety and any accessory or addition designed to meet this objective".
PPE is the very last line of defence in protecting a person and should only be used where other measures cannot be used. For example PPE may be considered appropriate when:
- The hazard cannot be eliminated by other means.
- It is not technically feasible to achieve adequate control by other measures alone. The hazard cannot be eliminated by other means.
- PPE is required to safeguard health until such time as adequate control is achieved by other means.
- Urgent action is required, such as in a plant fire, and the only practical solution is to use PPE.
- During routine maintainance operations.
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If you have decided that your employees require PPE for protection, then the Regulations impose certain duties for you to:
- Provide suitable PPE to each of your employees who may be exposed to risks.
- Ensure that all PPE you provide is compatible, and where appropriate can be used together.
- Maintain, replace and/or clean all PPE as necessary. Provide appropriate accommodation for employees to store PPE.
- Provide adequate and appropriate information, instruction and training to enable those using the PPE to be aware of the risk(s) the PPE will avoid or limit, and the purpose, manner and action required by the employee to ensure the PPE is maintained in a fit state.
- Ensure that all PPE provided is used in the proper manner at all times.
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When deciding if your employees require PPE, and if so what type, you will need to consider the following:
- Is it suitable and appropriate for the risks involved and for the environment in which it will be used?
- Does it prevent or adequately control the risks involved without increasing the overall level of risk?
- Has the state of health of those employees who will be wearing the PPE been considered?
- What are the needs of the job and the demands it places on the wearer, for example restricted vision, the length of time the PPE needs to be worn and the physical demands the PPE places on the wearer?
- Can the appropriate level of training be provided when necessary?
- Can the appropriate level of repair and maintenance be achieved?
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