Personal protective equipment isn't optional extra kit. In the UK, PPE regulations set out clear duties for employers, and businesses that get it wrong face injuries, claims and enforcement action. Here's a plain-English overview of what the law requires and how to stay on the right side of it.

What the PPE at Work Regulations require

Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended in 2022), employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge wherever risks can't be adequately controlled by other means. PPE is the last line of defence, so first look at whether you can remove the hazard, change the process or use guards and barriers.

Since 6 April 2022, the employer duties extend to limb (b) workers as well as employees. In practice this covers most casual and agency-type workers who don't have full employment rights. If you're unsure about someone's status, take advice and check HSE guidance.

Hard hats, hi-vis clothing, safety footwear, gloves and eye protection are among the most commonly required items. Some PPE is covered by its own regulations. Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, for example, hearing protection must be made available at 80 dB(A), and at 85 dB(A) it must be provided and worn, with hearing protection zones marked out.

What makes PPE suitable?

Suitable is the key word. PPE must be:

• Appropriate for the actual risks identified in your risk assessment.
• Correctly fitted to each individual. Tight-fitting masks, for example, must be face-fit tested, and the wearer must be clean-shaven where the mask seals.
• Compatible with any other PPE worn at the same time, such as safety glasses worn with ear defenders.
• Certified to the relevant standard, shown on the product or its user information.

A hi-vis vest that's the wrong class for roadside work, or safety boots without midsole protection on a site full of debris, may not count as suitable at all. On motorways and high-speed roads Class 3 is generally expected, so check your client's or principal contractor's site rules.

Common PPE and the standards to look for

When you match PPE to hazards, these are the standards you'll see most often:

• Safety footwear: EN ISO 20345:2022. Footwear certified to the 2011 version stays valid until its certificate expires.
• Hi-vis clothing: EN ISO 20471, Classes 1 to 3.
• Head protection: EN 397 for industrial helmets. EN 812 bump caps are not a substitute where there's a risk of falling objects.
• Eye protection: EN 166.
• Gloves: EN 388 for mechanical risks, EN ISO 374 for chemicals and EN 407 for heat.
• Hearing protection: EN 352.
• Disposable masks: EN 149, rated FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3. For silica dust from cutting or drilling, HSE recommends RPE with an assigned protection factor of 20, such as FFP3.

Maintenance, training and worker duties

Employers must also maintain and replace PPE, provide storage for it, and give staff information, instruction and training on how to use it properly. Keep a simple record of what's been issued, to whom and when, and check kit regularly for damage. Our guide to when to replace workwear and PPE covers the warning signs.

Workers, in turn, have a duty to use the PPE provided in line with their training and to report loss or damage. You can't charge staff for PPE; it must be free.

Getting compliant doesn't need to be complicated:

1. Carry out a thorough risk assessment and identify which risks need PPE.
2. Match certified PPE to each hazard and each person.
3. Issue it free of charge and explain how to use, store and check it.
4. Keep records and review them when work, people or hazards change.

For new team members, our new starter workwear and PPE checklist is a useful starting point.

Quick answers

Do employers have to provide PPE free of charge?

Yes. Under the PPE at Work Regulations, employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge to employees and, since April 2022, to limb (b) workers too.

Who is responsible for PPE at work?

Employers must assess risks, provide suitable PPE, maintain it and train staff to use it. Workers must use it as instructed and report any loss or damage.

What changed in the PPE regulations in 2022?

From 6 April 2022, employer duties were extended from employees to limb (b) workers, which covers most casual and agency-type workers. They must now receive PPE on the same basis as employees.

Browse our certified PPE range, or talk to our team about products with the right ratings for your risk assessment. If you're equipping a large workforce, a trade account can make repeat ordering simpler.