PPE: A Complete Guide to Legislation and Equipment

As an employer operating an industrial business, you have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of your employees through the provision of appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE).

In this guide, we will be examining the different types of PPE equipment available, as well as the principal regulations governing their use. Use it as a reference to help you ensure you are fully compliant with the law and your workers are fully protected by the most suitable PPE for their jobs.

What is PPE?

Let’s start with the basics. PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. In other words, it is workplace safety gear and can include everything from protective visors to reinforced boots.

PPE is important to ensure protection against serious hazards in workplaces such as factories and industrial sites. Despite sensible working practices and proper training, accidents and equipment failure can occur and potentially result in serious injury.

Common dangers include splashed corrosive liquids, heavy objects falling, and air contaminants over the long term. Employing correct, rigorously tested PPE can significantly minimise the risk of injuries and protect workers in the event of accidents occurring.

PPE at Work Regulations

PPE is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This government agency has overall responsibility for the regulation of safety issues in the workplace – and that includes the enforcement of PPE legal requirements.

Changes to PPE Regulations

The key pieces of PPE legislation are the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/390), which enacts EU Regulation 2016/425, and the earlier Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

The 2018 legislation made a number of amendments to the older requirements. The new regulations include:

• Responsibility for standards was extended beyond manufacturers to the entire supply chain, including importers and distributors who use their own brand name or trademark

• PPE regulation changes were also made to the categorisation of certain products

• Life jackets and hearing protection equipment both became subject to stricter assessment under the new PPE requirements

What PPE Should Employers Provide?

Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers have a legal duty to make suitable, properly maintained workplace safety equipment available, free of charge, to any employees working in potentially hazardous environments. These employees must also be provided with adequate guidance and training in the use of the equipment. It must be stored in an accessible location, and if it is not required on a daily basis, employees must be made fully aware of its location for easy access.

PPE equipment must be regularly checked and a PPE inspection register maintained and kept up to date.

Alternatively, employers can demonstrate that the risks have been adequately addressed by other means.

What are Employees’ Responsibilities for PPE?

Employees who work in potentially hazardous environments must be supplied with suitable PPE by their employees, along with training in its use, but they also hold some responsibilities themselves under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

These duties include:

• Using the safety equipment properly, to comply with the training they have received

• Taking reasonable care of the PPE provided and not attempting unauthorised modifications or repairs

• Visually examining PPE equipment before use, to try and identify potential faults or developing problems (for example tears in PPE clothing). They should report any identified issues without delay

• Returning the equipment to the proper storage areas after use, except if it is normal practice for it to be taken home overnight (PPE footwear and clothing, for example)

• Reporting any loss of PPE equipment immediately, so no unnecessary risks are taken in its absence

Types of PPE Equipment

There are many different types of PPE. Some are designed for everyday use, whereas others are for use in specialised environments. For instance, PPE features everything from head protection like safety helmets, to specialist waterproof and thermal clothing, to daily workwear like reinforced footwear and hi-vis jackets.

Let’s take a look at the most frequently seen PPE equipment types:

How PPE Should Be Worn

How is PPE Issued and Maintained?

All personal protective equipment is issued and maintained by employers, who also store the items in most cases. In some organisations, however, it is routine for employees to take protective clothing items home with them overnight.

The Correct Donning PPE Sequence

Examples:

• Breathing masks and respirators must be secured at the back of the head first before being positioned on the face, fit testing to ensure a close seal

• Gloves must always be fully extended to ensure wrists are not left exposed

• Visors and safety goggles must be positioned over the eyes first then secured at the back of the head once in place

Taking Off PPE

Safe removal of PPE centres around avoidance of any contaminated areas.

Examples:

• Breathing masks and respirators must be unlatched at the back then removed away from the face to avoid contact with the front of the device

• The first glove must be removed by gripping the palm area and pulling it away from the body. The second can then be removed by inserting a finger beneath the edge at the wrist, then pushing forwards

• Visors and safety goggles should be untied at the back then pushed forward, again avoiding contact with the exterior

If your hands come into contact with contamination while removing PPE, wash them swiftly with a suitable cleanser.

What Should You Do if Your PPE is Damaged?

Any damage to PPE should be immediately reported to your line manager or someone in a similar position of authority, and then replaced.

How to Correctly Dispose of PPE?

Disposable PPE is likely to become contaminated after even short periods of use. You should only dispose of it in properly sealed waste receptacles designated for this purpose.