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The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

These regulations are laid out to ensure that basic principles are followed when Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is defined as all equipment (including clothing providing protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects them against one or more health and safety risks.

Ordinary working clothes and uniforms, which do not specifically protect against risks to health and safety and protective equipment worn in sports competitions, are not covered.

Where there is an overlap in requirements set out in different legislation for example, COSHH than the specific regulations take precedent.

Provision of PPE – Reg 4

Every employer should ensure that suitable PPE is provided to their employees who may be exposed to risks to their health and safety except where it has been adequately or more effectively controlled by other means. (Management Regs state that PPE as a control should be the last option)

PPE shall not be suitable unless:

• It is appropriate for the risks and the conditions of use
• It takes account of ergonomic requirements and the state of health of the wearer
• It is, so far as is reasonably practicable, able to combat risks without increasing overall risks
• It complies with UK legislation on design or manufacture, i.e. it has a CE marking

Compatibility – Reg 5

Where more than one health and safety risk necessitates the wearing of multiple PPE simultaneously then they should be compatible and remain effective.

Assessment – Reg 6

Before choosing the PPE and assessment should be carried out to ensure that the equipment is suitable and sufficient for the job, the assessment should include:

• Assessing risks which have not been avoided by other means
• A definition of the characteristics that PPE must have to be effective, taking into account any risks created by the PPE itself
• A comparison of available PPE with the required characteristics

The assessment should be reviewed if it is no longer valid or there have been significant changes.

Maintenance – Reg 7

Every employer (and self-employed person) shall ensure that any PPE provided is maintained, including replaced and cleaned, in an efficient state, in efficient working order and good repair.

The guide emphasizes the need to set up an effective system of maintenance for PPE. This should be proportionate to the risks and appropriate to the particular PPE. It could include, where appropriate, cleaning, disinfection, examination, replacement, repair and testing.

For example, mechanical fall arrestor equipment or sub-aqua breathing apparatus will require planned preventive maintenance with examination, testing and overhaul. Records should be kept of the maintenance work. Gloves may only require periodic inspection by the user if necessary, depending on their use.

Spare parts must be compatible and be the proper part suitably CE marked where applicable. Manufactures’ maintenance schedules and instructions should be followed unless alternative schemes are agreed with the manufacturer or agent.

In some cases these requirement can be fulfilled by using disposable PPE which can be discarded after use or when their life has expired. Users should know when to discard and replace disposable PPE.

Accommodation – Reg 8

When an employer or self employed person has to provide PPE they must ensure that appropriate accommodation is provided to store it when not in use.

The type of accommodation may vary and may just be suitable hooks for special clothing and small portable cases for goggles. It should be separate from normal outer clothing storage arrangements and protect the PPE from contamination or deterioration.

Information, instruction and training – Reg 9

Employers shall provide employees with adequate and appropriate information, instruction and training on:

The risks which the PPE will avoid or limit

The purpose for which and the manner in which PPE should be used
• Any action required of the employee to maintain the PPE.

The guidance suggests the training should include:

• An explanation of the risks and why the PPE is needed
• The operation, performance and limitations of the equipment
• Instructions on the selection, use and storage of PPE
• Problems that can affect PPE relating to other equipment, working conditions, defective equipment, hygiene factors and poor fit
• The recognition of defects and how to report problems with PPE
• Practice in putting on wearing and removing PPE
• Practice in user cleaning and maintenance
• How to store safely.

Use and reporting of defects – Reg 10 and 11

Every employer shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that PPE is properly used.

Every employee shall

• Use PPE provided in accordance with training and instructions;
• Return it to the accommodation provided after use;
• Report and loss or obvious defect.