Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- HSE
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 9 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
9 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Risk assessment 1
Carry out and keep a PPE assessment
Unlimited fineIf you must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for your staff, you must first assess which equipment is suitable. The assessment must identify the remaining risks, specify the needed PPE characteristics, and compare available options. Review the assessment whenever it may be out‑of‑date or when there are significant changes, and update it as required.
Equipment and safety 5
Ensure compatible personal protective equipment when using multiple items
Unlimited fineIf your business has more than one health or safety risk that means an employee (or you as a self‑employed person) must wear two or more pieces of PPE at the same time, you must make sure those items work together and still protect against each risk. In practice this means checking that the PPE you provide or use is compatible and replacing anything that interferes with its effectiveness.
Maintain and replace personal protective equipment
Unlimited fineYou must keep any PPE you provide to staff (or use yourself if you’re self‑employed) in good working order. That means inspecting it regularly, cleaning it, repairing it when needed and replacing it when it’s worn out or no longer safe.
Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)
Unlimited fineYou must supply appropriate PPE to any employee or self‑employed worker who could be harmed at work, unless the risk is already controlled by a safer method. The equipment must fit, match the risk, consider the wearer’s health and ergonomics, be effective and meet any relevant legal standards.
Provide suitable PPE and manage its use and storage
As an employer you must choose PPE that is suitable for the work and that meets the relevant EU health‑and‑safety design standards. Before you buy it you need to carry out an assessment of the characteristics required, compare them with what is available and keep that assessment up‑to‑date. You also have to provide suitable changing rooms and storage for the PPE and make sure staff return it after use.
Provide suitable storage for unused PPE
Unlimited fineIf you must give your employees personal protective equipment, you also have to make sure there is a safe, clean and secure place to store that equipment when it isn’t being worn. This means setting up lockers, cupboards or designated areas so the PPE is protected and easy to access.
Management duties 1
Ensure proper use and return of provided PPE
You must make sure any protective equipment you give to staff is actually worn correctly and that staff return it when they’re done. This means providing training, clear instructions and a system for collecting the equipment after use.
Reporting and filing 1
Report loss or defect of PPE immediately
Unlimited fineIf you give staff personal protective equipment (PPE), they must tell you straight away if any of it is lost or shows an obvious fault. You need a quick way for them to report this so you can replace or repair the equipment promptly and keep the workplace safe.
Training 1
Provide information, instruction and training on PPE
Unlimited fineWhenever you have to give an employee personal protective equipment, you must also give them clear, easy‑to‑understand information, instruction and training. This must cover what risks the equipment protects against, how to wear and use it correctly, and what the employee must do to keep it in good working order.
Penalties for non-compliance
7 penalties under this legislation. 7 carry an unlimited fine.
Carry out and keep a PPE assessment
Unlimited fine
Ensure compatible personal protective equipment when using multiple items
Unlimited fine
Maintain and replace personal protective equipment
Unlimited fine
Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)
Unlimited fine
Provide suitable storage for unused PPE
Unlimited fine
Report loss or defect of PPE immediately
Unlimited fine
Provide information, instruction and training on PPE
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
16 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 9
- s.4 Provision of personal protective equipment employer
- s.5 Compatibility of personal protective equipment employer
- s.6 Assessment of personal protective equipment
- s.7 Maintenance and replacement of personal protective equipment employer
- s.8 Accommodation for personal protective equipment
- s.9 Information, instruction and training action
- s.10 Use of personal protective equipment employer
- s.11 Reporting loss or defect
- Schedule 2 Modifications Every employer