LAST RESORT
Remove the risk first
HSE says PPE should be the last resort. Elimination, substitution, engineering and changes to how people work all come before it.
Check a controlWHAT HSE GUIDANCE SAYS
Wear it right,
or it won't work.
Personal protective equipment is the kit you put on for a risky job.
Check a control
LAST RESORTnot first choice
Safety helmets, gloves, goggles, ear defenders, hi-vis and masks all count. The Health and Safety Executive treats PPE as the last line of protection: it has to suit the hazard, fit the person, be provided free and be looked after properly.
At a glance
- Remove the risk first
- Fit beats fashion
- Free, clean, replaced
- Kit that actually protects
5 steps
Steps in the hierarchy of controls
Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE, in that order, with elimination the most effective and PPE the least.
CONTROLS · HSE
2022
Year PPE duties were extended to limb (b) workers
The 1992 PPE Regulations were amended from 6 April 2022, so workers with a more casual working relationship are covered too. The self-employed are not.
THE LAW · PPER 2022
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
Clear order,
wider cover.
One figure on the order of protection HSE sets out,
one on when the rules were widened.
If a risk assessment shows a limb (b) worker needs PPE, the employer must carry out a suitability assessment and provide it free of charge, as for employees, and is responsible for its maintenance, storage and replacement.
A QUICK CONTROL CHECK
Where does PPE
sit in the order?
HSE asks employers to work down a hierarchy of controls when deciding how to protect people. Pick a step to see what it means. The bar shows how effective HSE ranks it.
Based on HSE guidance, Using personal protective equipment to control risks at work. General information about Great Britain, not legal advice for a specific workplace.
THE SHORT ANSWER
PPE comes last,
and it must fit.
HSE guidance in three ideas.
Each one changes how kit is chosen and used.
FIT
One size does not fit all
Tight-fitting masks need a fit test, and stubble or beards stop them sealing. HSE also warns that modifying PPE to fit is not a suitable solution.
Fit and comfort
CARE
Clean kit protects better
Dirty clothing PPE works less well. HSE says hi-vis must be cleaned regularly so the reflective strips stay easy to see.
Look after it
FOUR HABITS FROM HSE GUIDANCE
Good kit,
kept good.
These come from HSE's guidance on choosing, using and maintaining PPE. They apply whether you hand kit out or wear it.
Check the pieces work together
Safety glasses can disturb a respirator's seal, and hard hats and ear defenders must be chosen to work together.
Wear it even for quick jobs
If the risk assessment says PPE is needed, HSE says it should be used even for jobs that only take a few minutes.
Store it clean and dry
Keep PPE in a dry, clean place when not in use, and clean reusable items so they stay in good condition.
Report damage, follow the schedule
Workers should report loss or obvious defects, and parts should be replaced following the manufacturer's schedule.
FIT AND COMFORT
Kit has to suit
the person, too.
HSE asks employers to consider size, fit, compatibility and weight, and the physical characteristics of the wearer. For harnesses and lifejackets, choosing the right size is particularly critical.
Involving workers in choosing PPE makes them more likely to understand its importance and use it. Where someone has a good reason for a beard, such as religion, HSE notes that masks which do not rely on a tight face seal are available.
Questions
Questions people ask
Do I have to pay for my own PPE at work?
No. HSE says employers must provide PPE free of charge if a risk assessment shows it is needed. Since April 2022 this also applies to limb (b) workers, though not to the self-employed.
Why is PPE called the last resort?
HSE ranks it as the least effective control. Employers are asked to consider removing the hazard, substituting it, engineering controls and changing how people work first, and to use PPE for the risks that remain.
What is face fit testing?
A test to check that a tight-fitting mask seals to an individual's face. HSE says leaks from poor fit are a major problem, and that stubble and beards make a good seal impossible.
What counts as PPE?
HSE lists items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye and hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, harnesses and respiratory protective equipment.
What should PPE be marked with?
HSE advises choosing products that are CE or UKCA marked, and checking with the supplier which PPE suits the job.
Sources
Where the facts come from
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