Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of those things often talked about in businesses and organisations but do we REALLY need it or is it just Health and Safety gone mad? TL Safety give us some fantastic advice! 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be used as the last control measure to protect you from a hazard in the workplace. The following controls should be considered first:- 

• Eliminate
• Substitution
• Engineering Controls
• Administration Controls

 With the correct control measures in place and provided they are followed it may be that PPE will not be needed.

 You should complete a risk assessment for any activity that is carried out in the workplace. If you have 5 or more employees you need to record your findings and in all cases inform your workers about the hazards associate with the work and the controls you have put in place.

Following a risk assessment and where there is a potential for any of these control measures to fail then PPE should be used as the last line of defence to protect a worker.

 It is therefore paramount to the safety of the worker that the PPE is suitable and sufficient in order for it to be effective. Consideration should be given to the following although this list is not exhaustive.

• PPE should be suitable and sufficient  to protect the worker from the identified hazard
• Consider the needs of the individual wearer and if the PPE is compatible with them ( consider size, shape, weight etc)
• Will the PPE you select be compatible with other PPE that is being worn
• The PPE should carry a CE Mark and be manufactured to the relevant EN standard
• The user needs to be trained in how to use it properly and how to report any defects, exchange PPE and store it properly
• The user needs to be instructed in how to maintain the PPE
• You need to monitor and review your PPE to ensure it is being worn and remains appropriate for the task being carried out.
• Employers need to provide PPE free of charge

You can get further advice about PPE from a supplier such as LG Supplies

You can obtain more detailed advice from a n Occupational Health and Safety Advisor such as  TL Safety

You can obtain details about the PPE Regulations in the HSE publication L25 available free at  http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l25.htm