Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Information, Instruction and Training

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Information, Instruction and Training

Risk Assessment

Selection of Personal Protective Equipment

Head Protection

Eye Protection

Hearing Protection

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Body Protection

Safety Harnesses

Body Armour Or Flak Jackets and Helmets For Hostile Environments

Safety Equipment Stores

Common Questions

Key Points

Employees must know:

The risks and limitations of the PPE;
The purpose of the PPE and how to use it;
Any additional action required to ensure that the PPE remains in an efficient state and good repair/working order.

Where required, items of PPE must be:

To a recognised standard;
Obtained from a reliable source;
Mutually compatible with other PPE which is worn simultaneously;
Properly maintained and checked;
Chosen in consultation with the user and fits properly;
Maintained in good working order by competent people & replaced before they become ineffective or beyond their shelf-life.

Multiple Hazards
If you need to use more than one form of PPE because of the risks involved, the equipment must be compatible and continue to be effective against the risk or risks in question.

Consideration should be given to:

The combination of PPE required and it's combined effect, eg when eye and ear protection are required, glasses could not be worn with ear defenders that would compromise the ear protection.
Some PPE can protect against 2 hazards, eg if eye and head protection are needed, a helmet with a visa could be used (which comply with the relevant standard).

Maintenance
All PPE and clothing should be regularly cleaned and maintained. Kit issued from the Safety Stores will be checked regularly and records kept, but staff should also inspect their personal issue PPE regularly. For other kit not issued from the Safety Stores, managers should introduce a system for issue and maintenance and also keep records of any PPE.

Employee Responsibilities
Where PPE is necessary, employees have a duty to;

Wear the PPE for his/her own safety.
Report any loss or defect of PPE provided.
Return any PPE to appropriate accommodation when not in use.