G Morton Feb 2012
ESS Health & Safety Arrangements
Personal Protective Equipment
Distribution: This document must be brought to the attention of all ESS
Managers and Employees involved in the provision and use of PPE
Introduction
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be regarded as the last resort to
protect against risks to health and safety, wherever possible safe systems of
work and engineering controls should be used to control risks first.
ESS managers will assess the provision of PPE to employees while
considering the factors identified within this document. In some instances eg
provision of respiratory protective equipment it will be necessary to seek
advice on the specification from PPE suppliers.
To assist managers in assessing and recording the need for and specification
of PPE a PPE Survey Form and PPE Risk Assessment Form are available in
Appendix A.
For simple jobs and areas of low risk, recording the specification of PPE on
task risk assessments will be considered appropriate providing the factors
included in this document are given consideration.
1.
Exemptions from the Regulations - Clothing
The Regulations do not apply to the following types of clothing:
(a)
Uniforms provided for the primary purpose of presenting a corporate
image;
(b)
Ordinary working clothes; and
(c)
'Protective Clothing' provided in the food industry primarily for food
hygiene purposes.
However, where any uniform or clothing protects against a specific risk to
health and safety, for example high-visibility clothing worn when working on
the highway, boiler suits/coveralls to prevent contamination with harmful
substances they will be subject to the Regulations.
Weatherproof or insulated clothing is subject to the Regulations if it is worn to
protect employees against risks to their health or safety, but not otherwise.
2.
Provision of Personal Protective Equipment
Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is
provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health and/or
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safety while at work, except where the risk has been adequately controlled by
another means which is equally or more effective.
3.
Suitability of PPE
PPE will not be considered suitable unless:
(a)
It is appropriate for the risk or risks involved, the conditions at the
place where exposure to the risk may occur, and the period for which it
is worn
(b)
It takes account of ergonomic requirements and the state of health of
the person or persons who may wear it, and of the characteristics of
the workstation of each person
(c)
It is capable of fitting the wearer correctly, if necessary, after
adjustments within the range for which it is designed;
(d)
So far as is practicable, it is effective to prevent or adequately control
the risk or risks involved without increasing overall risk eg protective
goggles impairing vision
(e)
It is CE Marked
(f)
Compatibility – Items of PPE should be compatible with one another
4.
When selecting PPE you should consider and take account of the
following factors
(a)
The job itself and the risks for which protection is needed. For
example, if there is a risk from falling objects, consider providing
suitable industrial safety helmets. Other factors to consider are, for
example, the physical effort needed to do the job, how long the PPE
needs to be worn, and the requirements for visibility and
communication.
(b)
The environment. Consider the surrounding conditions, for example
the weather if working outside, heating, noise, atmospheric conditions
etc.
(c)
The person. Consider the health of the person wearing the PPE and
its ergonomic effects. PPE made of certain materials should not be
issued to workers if they are known to cause allergies, for example
latex gloves. Heavy or bulky suits can cause or make worse existing
musculoskeletal problems and cause thermal comfort problems. The
aim should be to choose PPE which will give maximum protection while
ensuring minimum discomfort to the wearer, as uncomfortable
equipment is unlikely to be worn properly.
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Those who do the job are usually best placed to know what is involved,
and they should be consulted and involved in the selection and
specification of the equipment - there is a better chance of PPE being
used if it is accepted by each wearer.
There will be considerable differences in the physical dimensions of
different workers and therefore more than one type or size of PPE may
be needed. The required range may not be available from a single
supplier.
5.
Reviewing and Revising PPE Assessments - PPE Assessments
should be reviewed and revised as necessary following changes to the
work, the environment, following accidents/ill health and then
periodically to ensure PPE is adequately controlling risk(s)
6.
Charges - Employers cannot levy a charge for the issue of PPE
7.
Maintenance and Replacement of PPE
Where necessary employers must have systems in place to ensure
PPE is: examined/inspected/tested/cleaned (including disinfection as
appropriate) to ensure it remains in good serviceable working order.
Employers must also have systems in place for replacing
lost/damaged/defective equipment, managers should formally record
the issue and re issue of PPE
8.
PPE Storage/accommodation
Where necessary employers must provide suitable storage to protect
against:



9.
Damage
Contamination
Loss
Information, Instruction and Training
Where necessary employers must provide employees with appropriate
information instruction and/or training.
10.
Reporting Loss or Defect
Employees must report loss or defect of PPE to their manager,
equipment to be repaired/replaced before the employee returns to their
work.
Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of PPE
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11.
Use of PPE
Employers must take reasonable steps to ensure employees issued
with PPE use it, where necessary disciplinary procedures may be
invoked for failure to comply with employers instructions.
Employees must use PPE issued to them in accordance with
employer’s instructions and risk assessments.
12.
Recording the Issue of PPE
When issuing PPE to employees managers must keep a record of the:
 The name of the employee
 Type and specification of PPE issued/re issued
 The date on which PPE is issued/re issued
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Appendix A
Personal Protective Equipment Risk Survey Table
Skull
Ears
Eyes
Lungs
Face
Hair
Hands
Arms
Feet
Legs
Skin
Trunk
Whole Body
Falls from height
Falling objects
Striking against
object
Cuts, grazes
Vibration
Slipping
Heat/scalds
Cold
Electrical
Non-ionising
radiation
Ionising radiation
Noise
Dust
Fibre dust
Fumes
Gas/vapour
Chemical contact
Solid contact
Biological agent
Other
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ESS - Personal Protective Equipment Assessment Form
Section
Location
Hazard(s) identified
Part(s) of body at risk
What other measures
are in place?
Type of PPE required
Does any British
Standard apply?
Performance required
Standard issue PPE, specify here ……………………………….
PPE selected:
Manufacturer/Supplier
YES/NO
If so which?
Have users
been consulted
over selection
of PPE?
YES/NO
Model/Type No.
Storage arrangements
Maintenance/Cleaning
routine
Checks before use
Users informed when
PPE needed, and any
limitations on use?
Date of Assessment
YES/NO
Users instructed/trained on initial
checks, how to wear,
how to maintain/clean, where to
store?
Assessor
YES/NO
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