2. Definition
“all equipment which is intended to be worn or held by
a person at work and which protects him against one
or more risks to his health and safety”
What is PPE?
3. Regulations
Employers have basic duties concerning the provision
and use of PPE equipment at work.
This guide explains what you need to do to meet the
requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment at
Work Regulations 1992 (as amended).
4. Types of PPE
PPE includes…
• Safety Helmets
• Eye Protection
• Gloves
• Hi-Vis Clothing
• Safety Footwear
• Safety Harnesses
• Hearing Protection
5. Regulations
Hearing protection and respiratory protective equipment for
most work situations are not covered by these regulations
because other regulations apply.
6. Regulation Requirements
Regulations require that PPE:
Is assessed before use to ensure it’s suitable
Is maintained and stored properly
Is provided with instructions on how to use it safely
Is used correctly by employees
7. Assessing the Hazards
To choose the right PPE,
carefully consider the
different hazards in the
workplace and assess
which types of PPE are
suitable to protect against
the hazard
8. Assessing Suitable PPE
Consider the following when selecting PPE…
Is it appropriate for the risk involved and the conditions?
Does it prevent or control the risks involved?
Can it be adjusted to fit the wearer properly?
What are the needs of the job and the demands it places
on the wearer?
If more than 1 item of PPE is required, are they
compatible?
9. Eye Protection
Hazards:
# Chemical Splash
# Metal Splash
# Dust
# Projectiles
# Gas & Vapour
# Radiation
Options:
Safety Spectacles
Goggles
Faceshields
Visors
10. Head Protection
Hazards:
# Impact from
falling or flying
objects
# Risk of bumping
head
# Hair Entanglement
# Gas & Vapour
# Radiation
Options:
Hard Hats
Hard Caps
Bump Caps
15. Breathing Protection
Hazards:
# Dust
# Vapour
# Gas
# Oxygen deficient
atmospheres
Options:
Disposable
filtering respirators
Half or full face
respirators
Air-fed helmets
Breathing
apparatus
16. Can I be charged for PPE?
No!
An employer cannot ask for money from an employee
for PPE, whether it is returnable or not.
17. Training
PPE users should be aware of:
• Its limitations
• Why PPE is needed
• When it should be used
• When it should be repaired or replaced
18. Training
Managers or supervisors should:
• Train and instruct people how to use it properly
• Check regularly that PPE is being used
• Investigate if PPE is not being used correctly
• Position safety signs as a useful reminder
19. Maintenance
Make sure equipment is:
Well looked after and properly stored after use
Kept clean and in good repair
Always readily available
20. CE Marking
Ensure any PPE you
buy is ‘CE’ Marked
and complies with the
requirements of the
Personal Protective
Equipment
Regulations 2002
21. Other Regulations
• The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
• The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002 (as amended)
• The Noise at Work Regulations 1989
• The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
22. Key Points to Remember
Check that…
• PPE is provided
• It offers adequate protection for its intended use
• Those using it are trained in its safe use
• It is returned to its proper storage after use
• It is properly maintained and defects are reported
23. PPE Supplies
Seton can supply everything
you need to comply with PPE
regulations…
Call FREE on:
0800 585501
Go online to:
www.seton.co.uk
24. Questions
1. Give 5 examples of PPE equipment
5. Give 3 examples of PPE that will protect
the eyes from hazards.
3. What mark should all PPE carry to ensure
it complies with regulations?
4. To select the correct PPE what do you
need to consider and assess?
2. Which 2 types of equipment are not
covered by the Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations
1992?
25. Further Information
This presentation contains notes on good practice
which are not compulsory but which you may find
helpful in considering what you need to do.
Source: HSE
Editor's Notes
PPE includes clothing affording protection against the weather
However, these items should be compatible with any other PPE that is provided
The main requirement of the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 is that personal protective equipment is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.
Is it appropriate for the risks involved and the conditions at the place where exposure to the risk may occur? For example, eye protection designed for providing protection against agricultural pesticides will not offer adequate face protection for someone using an angle grinder to cut steel or stone.
Does it prevent or adequately control the risks involved without increasing the overall risk?
Can it be adjusted to fit the wearer properly?
What are the needs of the job and the demands it places on the wearer? For example, the length of time the PPE needs to be worn, the physical effort required to do the job and requirements for visibility and communication.
If more than one item of PPE is being worn, are they compatible? For example, does a particular type of respirator make it difficult to get eye protection to fir properly?
The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 also specifically covers head protection regulations.
Hearing protection is not covered under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. The Noise at Work Regulations 2005 specifically covers Hearing protection.
This includes agency workers if they are legally regarded as an employee. If employment has been terminated and the employee keeps the PPE without the employers 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 owned.
Anyone using PPE should be aware of why it is needed, when it is to be used, repaired or replaced and its limitations.
Train and instruct people how to use it properly and make sure they are doing this.
Because PPE is the last resort after other methods of protection have been considered, it’s important that users wear it all the time they are exposed to the risk. Never allow exemptions for those jobs which take “just a few minutes”.
Check regularly that PPE is being used and investigate fully any reason why it is not.
Safety signs are a useful reminder for workers to wear PPE
Make sure equipment is well looked after and properly stored when it’s not being used, for example in a dry, clean cupboard, or in the case of smaller items such as eye protection, in a box, case or dispenser.
It should be kept clean and in good repair – follow the manufacturers maintenance schedule (including recommended replacement periods and shelf lives). Simple maintenance can be carried out by the trained wearer, but more intricate repairs should only be done by specialists.
Make sure PPE is always readily available.
The CE marking signifies that the PPE satisfies certain basic safety standards and in some cases will have been tested and certified by an independent body.
The PPE at Work Regulations do not apply where the following six sets of regulations require the provision and use of PPE against these hazards. For example, gloves used to prevent dangerous chemicals penetrating the skin would be covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended).
Safety footwear, eye protection, hi-vis clothing, gloves, safety helmets, safety harnesses
Hearing protection and respiratory protection
CE Mark
The different hazards in the workplace
Goggles, visors, safety spectacles, faceshields