Comply with PPE regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022). Covers employer duties, the 2022 amendments for limb (b) workers, suitability assessment, and the PPE hierarchy.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to your workers when risks cannot be controlled by other means. Since April 2022, this includes gig economy and casual workers. PPE must be suitable, free of charge, well-maintained, and workers must be trained to use it.

  • Provide PPE when risks cannot be controlled by other means
  • Include gig economy and casual workers since April 2022
  • PPE must be suitable for the risk and fit the wearer
  • Provide PPE free of charge to employees and limb (b) workers
  • Maintain PPE and store it properly
  • Train workers on how to use PPE correctly
  • Use PPE as a last resort after trying other controls
  • Check PPE is CE or UKCA marked
  • Conduct fit testing for tight-fitting respiratory equipment
  • Report defects or damage immediately
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PPE compliance checklist

A yes/no checklist to verify your business meets all requirements under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations …

When workplace risks cannot be controlled by other means, you must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to your workers. The PPE at Work Regulations set out what you must do - and since April 2022, your duties extend to more categories of worker than before.

PPE is the last line of defence against workplace hazards. Getting it right means selecting suitable equipment, providing it free of charge, maintaining it properly, and ensuring workers know how to use it.

What counts as PPE?

PPE includes any equipment designed to protect against workplace health and safety risks:

PPE as a last resort

PPE should only be used when other control measures cannot adequately reduce risk. The hierarchy of controls requires you to consider alternatives first:

Why PPE is last resort:

  • Only protects the individual wearing it - other workers remain unprotected
  • Relies on correct selection, fit, use, and maintenance
  • May be uncomfortable, leading to workers not wearing it properly
  • Can create new hazards (reduced vision, impaired communication)
  • Gives false sense of security if not used correctly

You cannot simply provide PPE and consider the job done. Your risk assessment should show why other controls were not reasonably practicable.

The 2022 amendment: limb (b) workers

A significant change in April 2022 extended PPE duties to a broader category of workers:

What this means in practice:

  • You must provide suitable PPE to limb (b) workers, not just employees
  • PPE must be free of charge
  • You must maintain PPE and provide training
  • The genuinely self-employed remain responsible for their own PPE

If you use agency workers, casual workers, or workers on zero-hours contracts who are exposed to risks requiring PPE, you must treat them the same as employees for PPE purposes.

Your duties as an employer

The regulations place specific duties on employers:

Worker duties

Workers also have responsibilities when using PPE:

Selecting suitable PPE

PPE must be suitable for the risks and the wearer. Consider these factors:

Fit testing requirements

Some PPE requires fit testing to be effective:

How to manage PPE in your workplace

  1. 1

    Assess PPE needs through risk assessment

    Your risk assessment should identify where PPE is needed and what type. Consider all hazards and check you've applied other controls first. Document your reasoning.

  2. 2

    Select suitable PPE

    Choose PPE appropriate for the risk, the task, and the wearer. Check CE/UKCA marking. Consult workers on comfort and practicality. Ensure compatibility if multiple items needed.

  3. 3

    Ensure correct fit

    Provide different sizes. Arrange fit testing for tight-fitting RPE. Consider individual needs - glasses wearers, facial hair, pregnancy, disabilities.

  4. 4

    Provide free of charge

    PPE must be provided at no cost to employees and limb (b) workers. You cannot charge for PPE, require deposits, or deduct from wages.

  5. 5

    Provide training

    Train workers on: why PPE is needed, how to wear it correctly, its limitations, how to maintain it, how to report defects.

  6. 6

    Maintain and replace

    Establish inspection and maintenance regimes. Replace worn or damaged PPE promptly. Provide suitable storage when not in use.

PPE categories and standards

PPE is categorised by risk level:

Practical considerations

Multiple PPE items: When workers need several items of PPE (e.g., hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection), ensure they are compatible and work together effectively.

Emergency PPE: If PPE might be needed in emergencies (e.g., escape respirators), ensure it's readily accessible and workers know where to find it and how to use it.

PPE for visitors and contractors: Have suitable PPE available for visitors to your site. Check that contractors bring appropriate PPE for their work.

Record keeping: Maintain records of PPE issued, training provided, maintenance carried out, and any defects reported. This demonstrates compliance and helps track equipment.

Common questions

Can workers bring their own PPE? Generally no for serious risks. You're responsible for ensuring PPE is suitable and maintained. If you allow workers to provide their own (e.g., safety boots), ensure it meets required standards.

What if workers refuse to wear PPE? PPE use is a legal requirement. Workers who refuse after training may face disciplinary action. But first check: is the PPE suitable, comfortable, and genuinely necessary?

Do we need to provide PPE for training? Yes. Anyone exposed to risks requiring PPE needs protection, including during training. Use appropriate PPE even for practice.

What about prescription safety glasses? If workers need corrective eyewear and standard safety glasses are inadequate, you should pay for prescription safety glasses. This is similar to DSE regulations for computer users.