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Every business by law must maintain a safe working environment. The key to complying with this is to carry out a health and safety risk assessment. This involves spotting workplace hazards and taking steps to reduce the risk of harm they may cause.

Certain businesses will need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimise workplace risks. Workers must use PPE and clothing if their health and safety can't otherwise be properly protected.

Employers must provide any necessary PPE to employees free of charge. If you are self-employed, you must obtain PPE for yourself.  

Do I need PPE?

PPE should be seen as a last resort. Decide whether processes can be carried out differently to minimise risk instead.

Carry out a health and safety risk assessment to see what PPE your business needs. 

Before purchasing equipment consider carefully what you need and whether separate items are compatible. For example, do protective goggles make it difficult for a respirator to fit properly?

You must also ensure that all PPE meets set standards - see buy the right personal protective equipment.

Businesses in certain sectors are obliged to provide protective equipment under regulations that override PPE legislation. See personal protective equipment exemptions.

Public Health guidance is available on the .

Before purchasing any personal protective equipment (PPE), you need to carry out a health and safety risk assessment.

Under PPE laws you may need to provide:

• protective clothing, eg aprons, gloves, footwear, helmets, high-visibility waistcoats and clothing which gives protection against the weather
• protective equipment, eg eye protectors, respirators and safety harnesses

PPE equipment or clothing must be:

• appropriate to the risks and workplace conditions
• suitable for the ergonomics and state of health of the employee
• capable of fitting the wearer correctly, eg helmets with adjustable chin straps
• CE marked to meet the standards set out in the regulations

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is one organisation that can give a CE mark to show that a product meets the requirements of all relevant European Union directives. It can also give a Kitemark - its own quality mark - to equipment such as respiratory masks. 

What should I check?

Check that all equipment is compatible and suitable for all the jobs it's needed for. A supplier should be able to advise you on the suitability of equipment.

Workers in a wide range of situations and activities may need personal protective equipment (PPE) for the head

Activities that need protective headgear

The following types of work might need protective headgear to ensure safety:

• construction and building work
• work near hoists, etc
• tree-felling
• work where there is potential for objects falling from height
• blasting work, eg in quarries, open cast mining, etc
• low-level fixed objects, eg pipework, machines or scaffolding where there is a risk of collision

Types of protective headgear

Employers must provide any necessary PPE it to employees free of charge. If you are self-employed, you must get any PPE you need for yourself. 

There is a range of headgear you can consider, including:

• crash or climbing helmets intended to protect in case of a fall
• safety helmets to protect against falling objects
• bump caps to protect against striking fixed obstacles, scalping or entanglement
• caps or hairnets to protect against scalping or entanglement
• ear defenders

Workers who need protective headgear may also need protection for other areas of the body.

Ear protection

Some workers may need ear defenders but you should only use them as a temporary measure while you are developing proper control measures. You should not use them as an alternative to controlling noise by technical or organisational means. You must provide hearing protection to all workers exposed to noise levels where:

• The lower exposure action value is a daily or weekly average noise exposure level of 80 decibels. At this level you should provide information and training and make hearing protection available
• The upper exposure action value is set at a daily or weekly average noise exposure of 85 decibels. Above this you must take steps to reduce noise exposure, such as engineering controls or other technical measures. You must ensure workers use hearing protection must if you cannot control the noise by these measures, or while you are planning or carrying out these measures.

No worker should be exposed to noise over 87 decibels (taking hearing protection into account).

High-level peak sound pressures present a risk to hearing from immediate and permanent hearing loss. You must take action if an employee is likely to be exposed to peak sound pressure levels of 137 decibels or above, and place an absolute limit of 140 decibels (which can take account of hearing protection).

Workers who need protective headgear may also require protection for other areas of the body.

What should I look for?

Aim to buy a range of sizes and enough spares to cover any damaged or lost equipment.

It's also worth buying headgear with adjustable chin straps. This gives some flexibility if you haven't given each worker their own equipment.

Ensure that any headgear you buy works with any other PPE that your workers need, such as respirators, goggles or ear defenders.

Some types of headgear, such as helmets worn by motorbike riders, are not suitable.

Ongoing considerations

It's important to carry out regular inspections to check that equipment is still up to the job.

For example, this may involve:

• checking for surface cracks
• making sure adjustable straps aren't frayed or broken
• cleaning sweatbands.

See maintain personal protective equipment.

Certain workers will need personal protective equipment (PPE) for their eyes to minimise the risks from their work. 

Those who will need extra protection for the eyes include people who work with:

• Dangerous substances such as chemicals - see managing hazardous substances.
• Machinery and tools - including activities such as welding, grinding or cutting.
• Pressurised gases.
• Hazardous sources of very bright light - 'artificial optical radiation' (AOR). The majority of light sources used at work are safe and you don't need to take further action. You need to manage risks to the eyes posed by hazardous sources (for example lasers and welding).

If you employ people in these or similar roles, you must provide any necessary protective equipment free of charge. If you're self-employed and carry out work of this nature, you must use the required protective equipment yourself.

Types of eye protection

There's a range of eye protection you can consider in these and similar situations, including:

• safety spectacles
• safety goggles
• face shields

What should I consider?

Check that the equipment is suitable for the job. For example, are the glasses resistant to impact, chemicals, metal splashes or intense light? Will you workers wear the glasses in hot conditions and mist up? Will goggles fit under a helmet if necessary? You should also consider whether for users who wear spectacles will need prescription lenses.

Make sure you buy enough spares to cover any equipment which is damaged or lost. You should issue eye protection to each worker or clean them before re-issue. Provide cases or dust covers to protect the lenses from scratches and dust.

Some eye protection, such as swimming and ski goggles, is not covered by the .

Ongoing considerations

Carry out regular inspections to check the equipment is still up to the job. This may involve cleaning the lenses and checking for scratches. See maintain personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the feet can help reduce the risk of certain workplace hazards. 

Roles that need protective footwear

Workers in a range of roles may need protective footwear, including:

• construction and building work
• operation of mechanical equipment
• work involving manual handling
• work involving exposure to chemicals
• work involving a risk of heavy items being dropped on the worker's feet
• work in wet conditions especially if footwear needs to be washed and disinfected for hygiene reasons
• work in a flammable atmosphere

For information about some of these roles, see safe manual handling at work.

Types of protective footwear 

Protective footwear you should consider includes:

• safety boots or shoes, eg with steel toe-caps
• safety wellington boots - for outside workers such as tree fellers or cattle herders

Check protective footwear is suitable for the job. Consider whether yu need:

• footwear with slip-proof or chemical-resistant soles
• entirely waterproof or insulated shoes or boots o protect against electrical hazards
• steel toed footwear that has a midsole to protect against injury

Considerations

Where protective footwear is necessary, employers must provide it to employees free of charge. If you are self-employed, you must use PPE if you need it.

You will need to buy footwear to fit an individual so it makes sense to make employees partly responsible for maintenance.

This shouldn't replace a regular equipment check in the workplace but employees should be aware of the signs of wear and tear. See maintain personal protective equipment.

Maintenance of footwear should include:

• regular cleaning
• checking for worn-out soles
• splits in the uppers
• replacing broken or frayed shoelaces
• making sure any protective covering is intact

Workers in many roles may come into contact with substances or conditions that pose a risk of harm to their hands or arms. If you can't reduce these risks in some other way, you must use personal protective equipment (PPE) to do so.

Risks to arms and hands

The types of hazard that may cause harm to the arms and hands include:

• abrasion
• temperature extremes
• cuts and punctures
• dangerous substances such as chemicals
• electric shock
• skin infection
• disease or contamination - see diseases, infections and allergies in the workplace
• vibration - see safety of workplace machinery, equipment and tools

Types of hand and arm protection

The types of equipment that you might use to protect hands and arms include:

• gloves
• gauntlets
• mitts
• cuffs
• armlets
• elbow protectors

If your employees need PPE, you must give it to them free of charge. Self-employed people must get it for themselves.

What should I look for?

You need to ensure the equipment is up to the job and does not add to the risk. Consider what the wearer will need the equipment for and whether it is compatible with other equipment. Does it need to be fireproof or strong enough to prevent piercing by sharp objects, for example?

Ongoing considerations

Maintenance should include regular cleaning and checks for wear and tear. See maintain personal protective equipment.

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the body and legs includes a range of safety clothing.

Risks to the body and legs

Certain work activities and situations may put workers at risk of harm to their body and legs. These include:

• work in extreme temperatures - eg in a cold store
• work in adverse weather
• work where there's a risk from contact with chemical or metal splash
• construction and other outdoor work
• food processing
• welding
• work where there is a risk of electrocution
• work in laboratories
• work on roads, railways or quarries

Types of protective clothing

The type of equipment you need depends on the type of hazard that your business deals with. Equipment which protects the body and legs includes:

• overalls
• boiler suits
• specialist protective clothing, such as chain-mail suits, high-visibility clothing and insulating/conductive clothing
• leggings
• gaiters

If your employees need PPE, you must give it to them free of charge. Self-employed people must get it for themselves.

Consider the health and safety risks for people working outdoors. Take measures to .  

What should I look for?

You need to check the equipment is suitable for the job. Does the material need to be waterproof or chemical-proof for example?

You should also ensure any protective clothing and equipment meets PPE laws.

Ongoing considerations

You should carry out regular maintenance to ensure any protective equipment and clothing is still suitable for the job. Check for rips and tears in the material and regularly wash items such as overalls.

See maintain personal protective equipment.

There are eight key areas that you should check to ensure you follow personal protective equipment (PPE) rules:

• Assessment of need - carry out a risk assessment. See does your business need personal protective equipment?
• Compatibility - where more than one piece of PPE is worn or used the items must be compatible.
• Maintenance - all equipment must be regularly maintained and replaced. You should follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, such as recommended replacement periods.
• Storage - all equipment should be well looked after and stored properly. For example, pegs for weatherproof clothing or a dry, clean cupboard for overalls. Keep smaller items like goggles in a protective case or box.
• Use - themake the user aware of why they need to use PPE what its limitations are. Make regular checks to ensure workers are wearing PPE. You should also learn and show employees how to spot signs of wear and tear in equipment.
• Training - employers, employees and the self-employed have duties to use PPE properly and make sure it does not increase the risk of an accident.
• Records - keep records of all PPE equipment on your premises and a schedule for when checks and replacements should be made.
• Reporting loss or damage - employees must notify their employer if equipment is lost or damaged. Ensure they are aware of this.

If you do not comply with the PPE regulations, you could face:

• a fine of up to 拢20,000 and prison sentence of up to six months (magistrate's court)
• an unlimited fine and/or two years in prison (crown court)

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations do not apply to:

• ordinary work clothes and uniforms which do not protect the health and safety of the wearer
• equipment used for playing competitive sports
• portable devices for detecting and signalling risks and nuisances

The PPE regulations don't apply where other laws already oblige employers to provide personal protective equipment. These are the:

If you're unsure of your obligations, call the HSENI Helpline on Tel 0800 032 0121.