1. By Alex and Martin

2.  PPE is Personal Protective Equipment.  This is defined as anything you need to wear to protect your person, from adverse weather conditions, to a heavy impact.  This can include safety helmets, gloves, footwear, high –visibility clothing, eye protection and more.

3.  Hearing and respiratory protective equipment isn’t covered by these regulations.  However, these are covered by other regulations but still need to be compatible with any PPE provided.  Cycle helmets and crash helmets are not subject to this regulation as they legally required under road traffic legislation.

4.  PPE regulations do not apply in certain situations where hazards require more specific regulations to ensure safety.  For example: Any work site with asbestos will require ‘The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002’ as well as the ‘PPE at Work Regulation 1992’ to be covered.

5.  The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002.  The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.  The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended).  The Noise at Work Regulations 1989.  The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989.

6.  The employer is responsible for supplying all PPE needed in the workplace wherever there is a health and safety risk.  This also includes making sure equipment is suitable for the job and maintained and stored correctly.  To ensure employees are correctly trained and continue to use all equipment safely.  To carry out regular inspections.

7.  To ensure they are provided with all PPE needed and receive the appropriate training on how to use it.  To ensure maintenance of equipment and make sure any defects are reported.  To make sure all equipment is being stored as directed.  To ensure all equipment is being worn when needed.

8.  All PPE will require the CE logo to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regualtions 2002.  The letters CE stands for " C onformité E uropéene“ or “European Conformity”.  This marking ensures the product reaches the safety standard across Europe.

9.  However, this is not to be confused with the Chinese CE logo (China Export) which the two letters are much closer together.

10.  The PPE has only been updated once, which was in 2002.  We believe that with the improvements in technology it should be updated more regularly.

11.  The PPE Regulations rely on internal monitoring. It is down to the employer to provide all PPE needed and down to the employee to use all PPE provided.  Each employee should check there own equipment for faults before use.  The employer should carry out regular safety inspections on all equipment.

12.  www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business- sectors/environmental-and-product- regulations/product-regulation/ce-marking- faqs  www.hse.gov.uk/  www.icqc.co.uk/en/china-export.php  www.google.co.uk/imagesearch  www.ce-marking.com  www.electronicsweekly.com