PPE Subjects

Code of Practice

Types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Further Guidance and Information

Occupational Health prescription eyewear information

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to all equipment intended to be worn or held by a person at work which protects against one or more risks to their health or safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective.

PPE is only to be used as the last resort, where a risk cannot be controlled by elimination, substitution, shielding, enclosure, or any other means of risk reduction and where despite such controls being in place there still remains some residual risk. In such instances the College must provide the individual with PPE and the individual must use it.

This policy and accompanying code of practice will provide guidance and information on how to comply with the requirements laid out in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The aim of this policy and code of practice is to reduce the potential for exposure to hazardous substances or mechanical hazards, ensure the highest levels of hygiene, and generally improve the quality of everybody’s working environment.

The types of PPE covered by this policy are: shoes, boots, gloves, overalls, lab coats, aprons, fall arrest systems, buoyancy aids, respiratory protective equipment, hats, helmets, eyewear, face shields, and ear defenders.

In line with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992 it is College Policy that:


1. Risk assessments for tasks, processes or areas must include consideration of the need for PPE. The reasons for selection of the PPE should be stated, and if the decision is that PPE is not required, that decision must be justified.

2. As a minimum, PPE is CE marked and complies with any relevant BSEN standard;

3. Provision is made for the proper storage of PPE;

4. Users are provided with information, instruction, training and supervision in the use, maintenance and storage of PPE;

5. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is face-fit tested on the user;

6. PPE is issued and replaced as necessary – with no charge to its employees;

7. PPE must be appropriate for the user, worn and used correctly, and only used in the relevant areas;

8. Any required PPE is provided to all College employees at no charge;

9. PPE is maintained, checked and faults reported, and procedures are in place for decontamination and disposal of contaminated PPE where appropriate;

10. Inspections include the monitoring of PPE and reviewing the suitability, condition, cleaning and storage arrangements for PPE.

Exclusions from the Policy:

  • Ordinary working clothes and uniforms which do not specifically protect the health and safety of the wearer including clothing designed for food hygiene purposes (but not excluding clothing such as warm coats for outdoor workers);

  • Crash helmets for use on the roads (i.e. motorcycle and cycle helmets);

  • Items of sporting PPE except where the wearer is using them in the course of their employment; and

  • Portable devices for detecting and signalling risks and nuisances such as personal gas detectors.

Full details of requirements for the implementation of this policy are provided within the College Code of Practice on PPE.