Take our short quiz and discover how much you know about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and related legislation.

1. Whose responsibility is it to ensure workers wear appropriate PPE?

The employer
The employee
Both the employer and employee
Correct - if PPE is required, employers must provide it free of charge and employees must use it and report any losses or faults
Incorrect - if PPE is required, employers must provide it free of charge and employees must use it and report any losses or faults

2. What should you do if you find a cut or stone chip in your hard hat?

Keep wearing it until it can be replaced
Throw it away and borrow one from someone else
Remove it from everyone's access and inform your employer
Correct - damaged PPE is dangerous - remove it from everyone's access and inform your employer
Incorrect - damaged PPE is dangerous - remove it from everyone's access and inform your employer

3. From what do respirators protect the wearer?

Breathing in harmful substances
Asthma attacks associated with harmful substances
Oxygen deficiency
Correct - respirators only filter against specific substances and breathing apparatus should be worn if working in confined spaces or there is a lack of oxygen
Incorrect - respirators only filter against specific substances and breathing apparatus should be worn if working in confined spaces or there is a lack of oxygen

4. At what level should employers provide hearing protection?

75dB
85dB
95dB
Correct - sounds above 85dB are harmful, depending on how long and how often you are exposed to them
Incorrect - the control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) requires the provision of hearing protection where the measured noise level exceeds 85dB. Information and training must be given if noise levels exceed 80dB

5. According to DIN EN 166, safety glasses should have safety markings on their what?

Lenses only
Frames only
Both lenses and frames
Correct - the standard affects both the frame and lens and each should have markings on them
Incorrect - the standard affects both the frame and lens and each should have markings on them

6. The lower the glove rating the better the protection - true or false?

True
False
Correct - the higher the rating score, the better the performance
Incorrect - the higher the rating score, the better the performance

7. When was hi-vis material invented?

1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
Correct - high visibility paint was invented by an American in the 1930s, it first came to the UK in 1964 when it was used by railway workers
Incorrect - high visibility paint was invented by an American in the 1930s, it first came to the UK in 1964 when it was used by railway workers

8. Footwear with a rating of S1 is water resistant - true or false?

True
False
Correct - only footwear with a rating of S2 and above is resistant to water
Incorrect - only footwear with a rating of S2 and above is resistant to water

You scored out of 8

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