Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes protective clothing such as aprons, clothing for adverse weather conditions, gloves, safety footwear, safety helmets, high visibility waistcoats etc. For employees working outside, protective clothing is provided to protect from cold and wet weather. Measures should also be taken to protect against skin cancer from continuous exposure to sunlight.

 

PPE also includes equipment such as eye protectors, lifejackets, respirators and safety harnesses. Some pieces of equipment are provided by more specific legislation for example ear protectors under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

 

After identifying a risk by conducting a risk assessment of the workplace, the most appropriate way of reducing that risk to an acceptable level must be determined. There is an order of control measures to consider when deciding how best to protect against risks to health and safety. Engineering controls and safe systems of work should always be considered first, such as lowering the level of noise at source. PPE should always be regarded as the last resort.

 

There are two good reasons for this approach.

1. PPE protects only the wearer, whereas measures controlling the risk at source can protect everyone in the workplace.

 

2. The specified level of protection in reality may not be achieved with PPE and the actual level of protection provided is difficult to assess.

 

Employers must ensure that equipment is readily available, or at the very least, have clear instructions on where it can be obtained. The employer must not make a charge for the use of PPE if it is required by law. PPE must provide adequate protection to control the risk. If this is not possible, for example fire fighters clothing, then PPE must offer the best protection available in the circumstances. If more than one item of PPE is being worn they must all be compatible and must still adequately control the risk against which they are provided to protect.

 

 
If a general risk assessment identifies PPE as the best means of control, then a further assessment is needed to decide on the type of PPE required. As an example you may have to assess the type of eye protection required for a certain task, employers should first identify the type of hazard present, such as airborne dust, liquid splashes or projectiles and then assess the degree of risk. A suitable type of PPE from the range of CE marked equipment available, can then be selected. An effective system of maintenance of PPE must exist to ensure that It continues to provide the degree of protection for which it was designed e.g. cleaning, disinfection, inspection, replacement, repair and testing.

 

Storage must be provided for any PPE so that it can be kept safe when it is not in use. This could be something simple for example hooks for weather proof clothing or safety helmets, or a carrying case for safety spectacles. The storage provided should be adequate to protect the PPE from contamination with harmful substances, loss or other damage. Separate facilities should be provided for equipment, which is ready for use and that which is awaiting repair or maintenance.

 

Information, instruction and training for use of PPE

Suitable information, instruction and training must be provided by employers for their employees. Employees must be informed of the risks present and why PPE is needed. They also need to be trained in its operation, its limitations, how to wear it and how to recognise defects.

PPE must only be used in accordance with the employer's instructions, which are based on the manufacturer's specifications. Only those people adequately trained in its use should use PPE and adequate levels of supervision should be provided to ensure that training and instructions are being followed.

A system should be in place to ensure that employees can report the loss of or any defects in PPE. Arrangements also need to be put into place to ensure that defective PPE is repaired or replaced before it is used again.