PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that suitable PPE has to be provided to employees when they are exposed to a risk to their health and safety at work. Unless the risk is adequately controlled by other means which are just as effective.

Suitable head protection must be:

• in good condition
• not interfere with other equipment like head protectors
• be worn properly (the way it is intended)
• fit the person wearing it
• be from a reputable brand and not fake

If it not for a religious or medical reason, all employers should use PPE safely and properly. If a worker will not wear their PPE it can be considered gross misconduct and dismissal can be allowed, provided that there is a clause that states wearing PPE is mandatory. As an employer, you should try to let employees pick equipment that is both comfortable for them and fits properly to ensure that they do wear it at all times.

Employers have to, under law, provide equipment that is fit for purpose and undamaged. If damaged or inadequate, employees have the right to ask the employer for new equipment to replace the damaged one.