Selwyn College
Risk Management Procedure
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Statement
May 2012
RMP/21
Issue: 1
 The College aims to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety
(Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations (PPE) 1992 and requires
employees to be provided with suitable and effective PPE and clothing.
PPE and clothing will be specified by relevant risk assessments.
 The College recognises that PPE is a last resort in reducing and preventing
risk.
Objectives
 To identify the hazards to employees and others requiring the use of PPE.
 To make an assessment of the degree of risk from the exposure to hazards
and select appropriate PPE for the risk.
Heads of
Departments’
Responsibilities
To ensure that:
 All hazards are identified by suitable and sufficient risk assessment.
 Risk assessment records are kept.
 All specified PPE is provided.
 Any specified procedures for cleaning, storage and checking of equipment
are implemented and recorded.
 Staff are instructed on the hazards, risks and safety measures, as identified
in the assessment records.
 To keep records of all PPE training provided.
 To monitor that staff are working to all identified safety standards
identified in risk assessments, safe systems of work and codes of practice.
Employees’
Responsibilities

Employees must co-operate with the College in the use of PPE and must
wear such PPE if instructed to do so.

Employees will receive training in the correct use of PPE including the
reasons for it being worn.

Employees must abide by all rules and instruction in relation to PPE and
must not misuse or damage any PPE, and should ensure that PPE is
maintained in a usable hygienic condition at all times.

Employees must report any defects in equipment immediately to their
Head of Department and should never attempt to use any defective PPE.

Failure to comply with the College’s rules regarding the use of PPE will
lead to disciplinary action.
Responsibilities
of all Suitably
Trained Persons
 Responsible for preparing and reviewing risk assessments.
Assessments
 The selection, use, cleaning, maintenance and storage of PPE shall be
specified in the case of certain hazards, e.g. COSHH (document no.
RMP/16) and Noise (document no. RMP/17).
Selwyn College
Risk Management Procedure
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
May 2012
RMP/21
Issue: 1
 General risk assessments (document no. RMP/9) shall be used to identify
whether COSHH, noise and manual handling assessments have been
prepared and are being implemented.
 In all other cases, risk assessments shall be used to identify hazards and
risks requiring PPE.
 Within this assessment, PPE shall only be considered to be appropriate
when elimination, substitution or the physical control of the risks are not
feasible.
Issue of PPE
 All PPE shall be selected to reduce the risks allowing for comfort aspects.
 All PPE shall be suitably sized for the wearer.
 All PPE shall be either issued on a personal basis, or on an open issue
basis.
 Protective clothing will be provided for those staff who work outdoors in
inclement weather.
 Safety footwear will be provided for those employees whose work
involves a significant risk of injury to feet. Normally safety footwear will
be provided to staff working in the Maintenance and Gardens
Departments and Caretakers.
 Prescription safety glasses shall be provided and paid for by the College
upon receipt of written advice from a qualified optician. (Note: The
College is not responsible for providing general eye sight tests).
 All employees need to be aware of the importance of wearing strong
footwear with a good grip to prevent slips on the floor.
Storage
 PPE shall be stored in suitable facilities or in a clean area when not in use.
Maintenance
and
Replacement
 PPE shall be maintained in a usable and hygienic condition.
 The wearer shall routinely check the condition of PPE and report any
defects.
 All defective or time-expired PPE shall be replaced by the College as soon
as it is reported.
Information and
Training
 Instruction on hazards, assessments and PPE (use, limitations, fitting,
maintenance, cleaning and storage) shall be given to relevant employees
during their induction.
 Refresher training will be provided annually via toolbox talks.
 Heads of Departments shall be briefed on these arrangements.
Selwyn College
Risk Management Procedure
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
May 2012
RMP/21
Issue: 1
 Staff responsible for preparing risk assessments shall attend a specific
training course.
Contractors
 Shall provide details of their assessments upon appointment.
 Shall provide appropriate PPE to their employees.
 During the contract any alteration from the agreed working method may
only take place following a risk assessment review of the proposed
changes.
Records
 Assessment records shall be kept as indicated in document no. RMP/9.
 Records shall be brought to the attention of employees and be readily
available.
 Training shall be recorded as indicated in document no. RMP/13
Monitoring
 Heads of Departments shall routinely monitor this procedure for
compliance and effectiveness.