PPE

Below is an introduction to the topic of PPE.  You can also search for your specific topic using the Search box at the top of the page or click on any of the following keywords and phrases: Last resort, correct fit and provides a barrier.

Selecting the correct PPE

The PPE at Work Regulations 1992 place an obligation on employers to select “suitable” equipment to protect their employees.

The identification of personal protective equipment must be referenced in the employer’s health and safety policy. The company should carry out a risk assessment, effectively a statement of operational practice which includes an assessment of the hazards present and the risk of this being a potential cause of health and safety problems for employees. This analysis should then indicate practical solutions to eliminate, or at least minimise, the risk of employees being hurt.

The UK Legislation is aimed at eliminating or reducing the risk by changing the work procedures or the selection of less hazardous materials, there is little doubt that PPE and safety equipment are regularly used when process adjustments are excessively costly or the task is not always carried out in the same location. One classic example of this is employees wearing harnesses and lanyards connected to a running line instead of a collective means of edge protection being used.

Once practicable solutions have been eliminated the fall back position is to use PPE, the employer will need to select the most suitable product. Price alone is not an indication of performance and it is not usually acceptable to operate a policy that one size fits all. PPE needs to provide a barrier between the person and the hazard, e.g. the use of low cost rigger gloves when sharp objects are being handled will, at some time, result in injury.

All PPE should be CE Marked and will likely be marked with the Standard to which they have been tested, which might additionally state a “class” or “type” reference. From this it is apparent that the performance characteristics set out within the product standard being used need to be known and understood and this also is where the distributor or manufacturer will be able to assist.