What is PPE?

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Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is an equipment that will protect the user against health or safety
risks at work, this can include such items as: safety helmets: ear protection: high visibility clothing, safety
footwear and safety harnesses: thermal, weather, and waterproof clothing: respiratory protective
equipment.

PPE is important because some workplace environments contain serious hazards, especially industrial
sites and factories. Even with properly trained staff and sensible working practices in place, sudden
accidents, equipment failure or even just a moment’s inattention can all lead to serious injuries.

Common dangers include heavy objects falling onto hands and feet, corrosive liquids being splashed, or
objects being ejected after falls and striking employees. Other dangers may be less dramatic but
potentially just as serious in the long term – for example, air contaminants.

Modern, carefully designed PPE significantly reduces the risk of injury and can make all the difference
between a situation in which a worker walks away from an accident, and one in which he or she does
not.

What PPE should employers provide?

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As an Employer, you have the legal duty to make suitable, properly maintained workplace safety
equipment available, to any employees working in potentially hazardous environments. These
employees must also be provided with adequate training in the use of the equipment. It must be stored
in an accessible location, and if it is not required daily, employees must be made fully aware of its
location for easy access.

PPE equipment must be regularly checked, and a PPE inspection register maintained and kept up to
date.

Alternatively, employers can demonstrate that the risks have been adequately addressed in other ways.

What are employees’ responsibilities for PPE?

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Employees who work in potentially hazardous environments must be supplied with suitable PPE by their
employers, along with training in its use, but they also hold some responsibilities themselves

These duties include:

 o Using the safety equipment properly, in accordance with the training they have received.
o Taking reasonable care of the PPE provided and not attempting unauthorized modifications or
repairs.
o Visually examining PPE equipment before use, to try and identify potential faults or developing
problems (for example tears in PPE clothing. They should report any identified issues without
delay.
o Returning the equipment to the proper storage areas after use, unless it is normal practice for
them to take it home overnight (PPE footwear and clothing for example).
o Reporting any loss of PPE equipment immediately, so no unnecessary risks are taken in its
absence.

Types of PPE Equipment

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There are many different types of PPE available, intended both for general, daily use and in specialized
environments. For example, PPE clothing includes safety helmets, specialist thermal and waterproof
clothing - and general workwear like high vis jackets and reinforced footwear.

PPE Boots and Shoes

Reinforced, penetration-resistant safety boots and shoes are one of the most fundamental PPE items.
They protect feet – and especially toes – from impacts, drops, and abrasive surfaces and they are
available in a range of strengths. Footwear with slip resistant soles can also play an important role in
preventing accidents

Reusable respiratory protection

Respiratory protection equipment comes in two basic varieties: disposable and reusable.
Reusable respirators, meanwhile, provide sturdier protection for use in more hazardous environments:
for example, when toxic fumes are present. Some models are filter-based while others include their own
oxygen supply.

Disposable Face Masks

Face masks provide disposable face protection for use in hygiene and contamination-sensitive
environments.
PPE Gloves

PPE gloves protect the hands of workers who come into proximity with or handle hazardous materials.
Specialist variations include thermal gloves for cold environments, latex gloves to protect against
electrical shock, and heat resistant gloves to reduce the risk of burns.

Gauntlets and gloves with sleeving are used in particularly hazardous environments where maximum
protection is required.

Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are an important piece of PPE in many industries including medical, catering and
cleaning. They provide wearers with a barrier to protect them from damaging substances like chemicals
or bodily fluids where they could be at risk from infection and cross contamination. They're
manufactured in many colors, sizes and materials including Nitrile, latex and vinyl. They're also available
as powder-free or pre-powdered to assist in putting the gloves on.

Overshoes

Overshoes are disposable covers worn over standard footwear in sensitive environments like
laboratories, food factories and kitchens, where full safety footwear is not required but hygiene and
cleanliness are important.

Ear Defenders

Ear defenders and ear plugs are important PPE for workers in loud environments who are at risk of long-
term hearing loss. Correct fitting is vital.

Eye Protection

Goggles and safety glasses help cut the risk of injuries and even blindness from flying debris, chemical
splashes, gas and dust. Safety glasses can be customized with prescription lenses for users who wear
glasses in everyday life. Consult the safety glasses guide for more information: it important to ensure
that eye protection fits correctly.
How PPE should be worn

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How is PPE issued and maintained?

All personal protective equipment is issued and maintained by employers, who also store the items in
most cases. In some organizations, however, it is routine for employees to take clothing items home
with them overnight.

The correct donning PPE sequence

Examples:

o Respirators and breathing masks should be secured at the back of the head first and then
positioned on the face, ensuring a close fitting.

o Gloves should be extended into position, ensuring that the wrist is not left exposed.

o Safety glasses and visors should be placed over the eyes first and then secured at the back of the
head.

Taking off PPE

Safe removal of PPE centers around avoidance of any contaminated areas.

Examples:

o Respirators and breathing masks should be untied at the back then peeled off away from the
face, to avoid contact between the face and the front of the device.

o Gloves: the first should be peeled off away from the body, gripping the palm area and pulling.
Remove the second glove by inserting a finger beneath the edge across your wrist and pushing
forward.

o Remove safety glasses and visors by untying or unlatching them at the back and pushing
forward, away from your face.

If your hands come into contact with contamination while removing PPE, wash them swiftly with a
suitable cleanser.
What should you do if your PPE is damaged?

Any damage to PPE should be immediately reported to your line manager or someone in a similar
position of authority, then replaced.

How to dispose of PPE correctly

Disposable PPE is likely to become contaminated after a short period of use. Dispose of it in designated,
properly sealed waste receptacles.