Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

An employer has a duty to employees regarding the provision and use of personal protective equipment.

PPE is defined in the Regulations as “all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective.” (Regulation 2).

Some key requirements for the employer are to:
• “.. ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.” (Regulation 4). Suitable PPE means that it must:
o be appropriate for the risk or risks involved.
o take into account ergonomic requirements and the state of the health of the person concerned.
o be able to be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly.
o be effective to prevent or adequately control the risk or risks involved.
Where PPE is required for hygiene purposes (e.g. skin condition) then it must be used by the named individual only and is not to be shared.
• Assess the appropriateness of the PPE in relation to the risks being addressed, (Regulation 6);
• Ensure that PPE is “in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.” (Regulation 7);
• Ensure that there are appropriate storage facilities for the PPE, (Regulation 8);
• Provide “adequate and appropriate” information, instruction and training.” (Regulation 9).
• Ensure PPE is properly used by employees, (Regulation 10).

An employee also has duties under these regulations, including:
• Using PPE in an appropriate way and to store it as required, (Regulation 10);
• Reporting to the employer any loss or defect to the PPE, (Regulation 11).

The main types of common PPE for use in the grounds care industry include:
1. Body protection - protective coveralls, when applying pesticides; heavy duty clothes to protect against stinging nettles, or similar plants.
2. Eye-protection - goggles, when using a strimmer or pressure washing equipment.
3. Face protection - face shield, when using a strimmer or when mixing and/or applying pesticides.
4. Foot protection - safety boots (with protective toe caps) when using machinery, lifting and carrying materials.
5. Head protection - safety helmet, particularly when working in woodland areas; or bump caps when operating a golf greens mower (e.g. to reduce harm from being hit by a golf ball).
6. Hearing protection - ear defenders when working in a noisy area or when using some machinery.
7. Hand protection - gloves when pruning plants with prickles or thorns, clearing overgrown areas (heavy duty gloves); working in cold weather (warm protective gloves); using pesticides (latex gloves).
8. Nose / mouth mask - When sweeping up in a dusty area; handling compost.
9. Visibility - high visibility jacket, when working adjacent to highways verges; lone workers.