Back to Basics: Know your PPE obligations
Under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992, employers are required to provide PPE free-of-charge if a risk assessment shows it is needed. These regulations were amended in 2022, the amendments extended an employer’s PPE responsibilities to also cover limb (b) workers, which are primarily contractors.
When risk cannot be completely mitigated by other means, employers must provide the necessary equipment to perform the job safely, this includes PPE such as safety helmets, gloves, eye or hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and harnesses. PPE also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to prevent workers from breathing in dust, mist, gas or fume.
PPE may then be needed to reduce the risk of injury from:
- breathing in dust, mist, gas or fume
- falling materials hitting people
- flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids getting into people’s eyes
- skin contact with corrosive materials
- excessive noise
- extremes of heat or cold
The PPE provided needs to be:
- properly assessed before use to make sure it is fit for purpose
- maintained and stored properly
- provided with instructions on how to use it safely
- used correctly by workers
Choosing the right PPE
When assessing what type of PPE is best suited to a specific operation, it is important to think about:
- who is exposed
- what they are exposed to
- how long are they exposed for
- how much are they exposed to
By involving your workers when selecting PPE, they will be more likely to understand its importance and use it. But beyond supplying the equipment, it is important that employees know why they need PPE and are trained to use it correctly. Otherwise, it is unlikely to protect as required.
- Does it fit correctly
- How does the wearer feel? Is it comfortable
- Are all items of PPE compatible
- Does PPE interfere with the job being done
- Does PPE introduce another health risk, eg overheating, entanglement with machinery
- If PPE needs maintenance or cleaning, how is it done
For a list of what PPE is most appropriate for each body part, visit the HSE’s website.
With World Noise Day arriving at the end of April, here is a full guide on managing noise in the workplace
