September 7, 2005—The UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published revised guidance for employers who supply personal protective equipment for their staff.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992 (L25), ISBN 0 7176 6139 3, has been updated to reflect changes to the regulations, developments in equipment, and an awareness of the issues employers commonly face.
The regulations require PPE to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to workers’ health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. They also require PPE to be assessed for suitability, and to be maintained and stored properly. Sufficient instruction for staff is also mandatory.
HSE has also reissued A Short Guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, INDG174, a free leaflet that provides employers with a brief summary of the law’s main requirements. It includes a synopsis of common workplace hazards and types of PPE that can be used to prevent workers’ exposure, and provides tips on ensuring PPE is adequately maintained and workers are provided with sufficient training so that it is properly used.
Copies of both publications are available from HSE Books. The short booklet can also be downloaded from the HSE Web site.
