PPE is the personal protective equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks.

What is PPE?

PPE can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, hazmat suits, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, safety harnesses, ear plugs, ear defenders and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). In appropriate situations disposable PPE may be provided; eg single-use coveralls. Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment at work.

PPE does not include:

Ordinary working clothes or uniforms not designed to provide for the health or safety of workers;
Clothing provided for food hygiene purposes;
Equipment used for protection while travelling on a public road (ie motorcycle or bicycle helmets);
Equipment used during competitive sport competitions (but other protective equipment used by sports instructors would be included eg life jacket worn by canoe instructor);
An offensive weapon used as self-defence or as deterrent equipment. For example, truncheons or CS gas canisters as used by the police or military (but helmets, body armour and other PPE used to protect staff from physical violence, is included);
Portable devices for detecting and signalling risks and nuisances, such as badges for detecting radiation, or personal gas detectors.

Why is PPE important?

In the hierarchy of risk control, PPE is considered to rank lowest and represent the option of last resort. It is only appropriate where the hazard in question cannot be totally removed or controlled in such a way that harm is unlikely (for example by isolating the hazard or reducing the risk at source to an acceptable level).

There are a number of reasons for this approach:

PPE protects only the person using it, whereas measures controlling the risk at source can protect everyone at the workplace;
Theoretical maximum levels of protection are seldom achieved using PPE, and the real level of protection is difficult to assess (due to factors such as poor fit, or failure to wear it when required). Effective protection can only be achieved by equipment which is correctly fitted, maintained and properly used at all times;
PPE may restrict the wearer by limiting mobility, visibility or by requiring additional weight to be carried.
Use of PPE may alter employees’ perception of the hazards they are dealing with.

In this context of a last resort control measure, PPE is critically important as it is generally only used where other measures are insufficient and as such it plays a crucial role in preventing and reducing many occupational fatalities, injuries and diseases.

PPE in numbers

This infographic provides some key facts and figures:

PPE at work regulations updated

From 6 April 2022 the regulations on wearing PPE at work have changed. Here, we explain what’s changing for who, and why.

The updated Regulations apply to all employers in Great Britain in a wide range of sectors and industries.

Workers are required to use the PPE properly following training and instruction from their employer.

To view the The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 amendments in full, click here.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance

PPE is equipment that protects users against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work regulations from 6 April 2022

Here, HSE explains changes to the scope of the PPE Regulations which apply from 6 April 2022, when the?Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022?(PPER 2022) came into force and amend the?1992 Regulations?(PPER 1992).

They extend employers’ and employees’ duties regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) to limb (b) workers.

This document outlines the following key information, explaining what has changed and what this means for both employers and workers:

Risk at Work – Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Employers responsibilities to workers on providing PPE changed on 6 April 2022. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 amend the 1992 Regulations to extend employers’ and employees’ duties in respect of PPE to a wider group of workers.

This HSE guidance explains the duties employers have concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.

HSE – L25 – Personal protective equipment at work – revised edition

Employers’ responsibilities to workers on providing PPE changed on 6 April 2022. This guidance explains how you can comply with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER 1992) as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022).

Under PPER 2022, employers’ and employees’ duties and responsibilities under PPER 1992 are unchanged but will extend to limb (b) workers, as defined in PPER 2022.

If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers (including limb (b) workers) have sufficient information, instruction, and training on the use of PPE.

This document explains these changes, and the new responsibilities employers and employees must consider.

Click here for more on L25 – Personal protective equipment at work

Duties – Employers

Employers should provide PPE to their employees only where there is a health and safety risk that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

Where risks cannot be controlled by other means then PPE must be provided. It must:

Be appropriate for the risks and for the working Environment;
Take account of the user’s health, ergonomics, fit factors and be compatible with other items of PPE required to be worn;
Adequately control the risk presented by the hazard without increasing overall risk experienced by the worker. For example, goggles which are to be used in a hot environment and therefore steam up making it difficult to see;
Be supplied free of charge if supplied for work-related health-and-safety reasons;
Be properly maintained and suitably stored (in practice, for mobile workers, it may be necessary to supply a holdall or other container to prevent damage to PPE in transit);
Comply with relevant legislation implementing the European Directives concerning the design and manufacture.

Employers are also recommended to consult the potential wearers of PPE before items are supplied because they are usually best placed to know what is demanded by their jobs and the type and configuration of PPE that is best suited to their working environment.

It is also recommended, that employers maintain a record of the items issued, to whom, the date of issue and the date of any replacement or maintenance required.

Furthermore, there are also considerable differences in physical dimensions of different workers, depending on their gender, ethnicity, and lifestyle, therefore, different sizes and contours should be available to fit wearers. PPE should also be adjustable and where problems occur, advice should be sought to take account of any medical conditions. In the case of close fitting respiratory protection specific employee fit testing is required. Training, instruction and information will also need to be provided to wearers of PPE. In providing this the following details should be included of:

The risks the PPE will avoid or limit;
The purpose and manner in which the PPE is to be used;
Action to be taken by the employee to ensure good working order, as well as hygienic condition.

Any training provided should be comprehensible to those receiving it (literacy and language barriers should be taken into account), and should cover the theory and practice of using PPE with a view to ensuring that users understand not only how to use the PPE, but also why it is important that they do so. Employers should also organise demonstrations of the use of PPE, with regular refresher training. Clearly, the extent of this instruction will depend on the item. In the case of a high visibility vest simple reinforcement of the requirement to wear it in certain work areas should be sufficient, in the case of a complex item such as a lifejacket or harness, much more detailed instruction is required. Each type of PPE is required to be manufactured to relevant harmonised European standards (CEN standards).

Where PPE is supplied for the first time, it must conform to the appropriate European or British Standard. It is unlawful for suppliers to provide PPE which does not carry the ‘CE’ mark. PPE must be maintained in efficient working order and in good repair in accordance with manufacturers’ maintenance schedules and instructions. An effective system of monitoring and maintenance or replacement should be set-up. This will include appropriate periodic checks along with records of tests and examinations.

A stock of proper CE-marked spare parts should be available to replace damaged or defective elements of the PPE with any repairs carried out by only those competent to undertake them. PPE awaiting repair should be stored separately and be clearly identifiable from PPE that is ready-to-wear.

There should also be a system by which employees can report missing or lost items of PPE and arrange for them to be replaced.

Duties – Employees

With regard to PPE employees are required to correctly use any such items provided as directed and in accordance with any training, instructions or information they have received.

Aside from proper use, employees are also required to return PPE to its storage place after use unless agreed

otherwise with the employer. Employees must take care of PPE and report defects or loss of equipment as soon as they become aware of them.

Charging

Employers cannot charge an employee for providing or replacing PPE, regardless of whether the PPE in question is returnable or not. This prohibition on charging extends to agency workers if they are legally regarded as employees. If employment has been terminated and the employee keeps the PPE without the employer’s permission, then, as long as it has been made clear in the contract of employment, the employer may be able to deduct the cost of the replacement from any wages owed or require the return of the equipment.

Types of PPE

Various types of PPE are available for use in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive provides guidance and general information about types of PPE used in industry, but it doesn’t cover specialised and less-used items.

Detailed information should be obtained from suppliers on these more specialised items. Potential users should be involved in the selection of equipment they will be expected to wear and if possible more than one model should be made available to them.

The different types of PPE include:

Head and scalp protection;
Respiratory protection;
Eye protection;
Hearing protection;
Hand and arm protection;
Foot and leg protection;
Body protection;
Height and access protection.

Head and scalp protection

There are five primary purposes of head protection, to protect:

The head in falls;
Against falling objects, impact with fixed objects, or wielded weapons;
The head by offering thermal insulation;
Against entanglement and laceration to the head;
Against scalping/entanglement particularly on machinery where injuries are still numerous. Hair-nets and caps are also used for hygiene reasons.

All forms of head and scalp protection must be suitable, correctly fitted and have an easily adjustable headband, nape and chin strap where appropriate. The relevant standards are BS EN 397 and BS EN 14052.

Eye protection

PPE for the eyes is intended to provide protection against impact, cuts, splashes, mists and sprays. The relevant standards are BS 7028 (Guide to Selection of Eye Protection for Industrial and Other Uses) and BS EN 166 (Specification for Eye Protectors).

All PPE must be regularly cleaned, but this is especially important in the case of eye protection as dirty lenses lead to poor vision and may contribute to accidents.

Where lenses become scratched, pitted or cracked they should be replaced.

Users who need to wear corrective lenses (glasses) should have this requirement accommodated in the provision of the PPE to them eg as protective over glasses where appropriate, or in the form of prescription lenses if necessary. Where they may be required to wear eye protection on a regular and prolonged basis then any goggles, safety-glasses etc should meet the user’s prescription requirements.

Hearing protection

Assessments carried out under the ‘Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005’ will determine whether personal ear protectors are required in the workplace or not, and the noise attenuation required. The relevant standard for the ear protectors is BS EN 352 Part 1.

In providing hearing protection, employers should select protectors which are suitable for the working environment and should consider how comfortable and hygienic they are. Like other PPE, hearing protection will need to be compatible with other PPE (eg hard hats, dust masks and eye protection) worn by workers.

Employers may also wish to provide a range of protectors to allow employees to choose ones which suit them.

Bearin mind that the theoretical attenuation is rarely achieved and it is therefore necessary to over-specify the protection. When selecting hearing protection, use the detailed noise assessment to determine the attenuation required at High, Medium and Low frequencies and match this against suitable prod cts. Bear in mind that where ear plugs are used, training will be needed to ensure that they are used correctly. Where ear defenders are used it should be ensured that users do not use music headphones or buds simultaneously. For high noise environments, it may be appropriate to specify both plugs and defenders.

Hand and arm protection

Most work requires a degree of manual dexterity and consequently the hands are exposed to a wide range of hazards Risks include cuts, abrasions, heat, cold, chemical contamination, vibration, burns, infection, skin irritation and dermatitis.

Before selecting hand and arm protection, the hierarchy of control measures must be followed. Gloves and gauntlets provide the main form of hand protection against a range of industrial hazards, but other forms of PPE such as mitts, wrist cuffs or armlets may also be used.

In the case of manual handling where there may be a risk of piercing by abrasive, sharp or pointed objects, gloves should be provided where these hazards cannot otherwise be removed, isolated or reduced to an acceptable level. Such gloves are usually made from leather, chain mail, rubber, knitted Kevlar or stout canvas. However, gloves should not normally be worn where there is a risk of them being caught in machinery.

Where chemical exposure is a hazard, and the risk extends to contact with the arms, gauntlets should be specified rather than gloves.

BS EN 14328 is the standard for gloves and armguards protecting against cuts by powered knives while BS EN 407 contains the specifications for gloves intended to protect against thermal risk such as heat and/or fire. BS EN 374 Part 1 covers gloves for protection against chemicals and microorganisms. BS EN 511 covers gloves for protection against the cold. BS EN 388 covers the specification of gloves against mechanical hazards.

Foot and leg protection

A wide range of safety footwear is available providing protection against many hazards to the feet or legs including crushing, slipping, piercing, temperatures, electricity, chemicals, cutting, and chopping. The relevant standard for safety footwear is BS EN ISO 20345. BS EN ISO 17249:2004 is the standard for chainsaw footwear. Depending on the hazard various PPE options may be appropriate including safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid-sole; gaiters; leggings; and spats.

Body protection

The Regulations’ definition of PPE excludes ordinary working clothes and uniforms which have no specific protection for the wearer. However, body protection may be required for extended periods of work outdoors to protect against the weather, and to ensure high visibility during work where there is mixed vehicle and pedestrian traffic (see BS EN 471 + A1 ’High-visibility Warning Clothing for Professional Use’).

PPE for the body may also be required where workers are exposed to extremes of temperature (whether outdoors or indoors), as well as chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, impact or penetration, contaminated dust, excessive wear, entanglement of own clothing or the risk of drowning.

When choosing body protection the following factors should be considered:

Thermal comfort, for example, due to sweating;
Cost and practicality of cleaning;
Emergency procedures, such as buoyancy or the need to be identified or spotted in hazardous situations;
Level of hygiene control required;
Level of personal contamination;
Personal preference;
Restriction of movement;
Storage;
Temperature and humidity fluctuation;
Whether the worker is involved in a process that is wet or dry.

Respiratory protection

This covers equipment ranging from breathing apparatus and positive pressure powered respirators through to protective hoods, close fitting full face respirators, half mask respirators and disposable face masks. It is always essential to select the correct equipment both for the risk and the individual and to ensure there is adequate training in its use. It should be noted that the only form of respiratory protection which is suitable for work in a confined space is breathing apparatus, as other forms of respiratory protection do not provide a source of air or oxygen. Face fit testing requirements apply to all close fitting respirators.

Height and access protection

This range of protective equipment is very wide and includes body harnesses, fall-arrest systems, rescue lifting and lowering harnesses, energy absorbers and lanyards.

Such PPE is specialised and requires thorough training by competent persons, in user checks as well as correct use.

Equipment will require periodic inspection by a competent person and anchorage points will normally require periodic testing.

Skin care: ‘Barrier’ creams

Some occupations are prone to skin disease caused by contact with substances such as cutting oils; chemicals, degreasants, glass-fibre and some horticultural agents (eg slug pellets). The main condition is dermatitis, in a variety of forms.

The use of barrier creams, although traditional in many occupations, should not be considered as personal protective equipment. It provides negligible protection and is unlikely to be effective in preventing contact dermatitis. The benefit of barrier creams is in preventing dirt from becoming so ingrained that it is difficult to remove.

A properly implemented skin-care hygiene programme, including barrier creams, emollient and skin-conditioning creams can help protect and replace the natural skin oil which is otherwise removed by degreasants and solvents. Before undertaking this, advice should be sought fromindependent skin-care specialists or a dermatologist.

Key Actions

Employers should:

Carry out a risk assessment of the workplaces and work activities they are responsible for and through implementation of the risk assessment findings, remove or, as far as is reasonably practicable, reduce the risk of the identified hazards causing harm to workers or others who may be present in the workplace;
Provide PPE where other means fail to reduce the risk presented by hazards in the workplace to an acceptable level;
Carry out an assessment to identify the most appropriate types of PPE for use in the workplace.

Where PPE is required it must:

Be appropriate for the risks and for the working environment;
Take account of the user’s health, ergonomic, physical and other factors adequately control the risk presented by the hazard without increasing overall risk experienced by the worker;
Be supplied and replaced free of charge;
Comply with relevant legislation implementing the European Directives concerning the design and manufacture;
Where reasonably practicable provide a range of PPE to allow workers to choose the equipment that best suits their working environment and routines, but always ensure that the alternatives made available provide the level of protection required;
Provide training, instruction or information, including refresher training and demonstrations, as appropriate in the use and care of the PPE provided;
Ensure face fit testing is undertaken for close fitting respiratory protective equipment;
Establish a system of recording the issue of PPE and of monitoring, examination and repair for PPE and to allow for the reporting of missing or lost items.

Employees should:

Correctly use any PPE provided as directed and in accordance with any training, instructions or information they have received;
Return PPE to its storage place after use unless agreed otherwise with the employer;
Take care of PPE;
Report defects or loss of equipment as soon as they become aware of them.