What counts as personal protective equipment?

PPE is any equipment worn or held by a person at work to protect them against one or more risks to their health or safety – including clothing that protects against the weather. In factories, plants and on construction sites, where workers handle heavy machinery or hazardous substances such as asbestos, typical PPE includes:

• Head protection – safety helmets and bump caps
• Eye and face protection – safety spectacles, goggles, face shields and visors
• Hearing protection – ear defenders and earplugs
• Hand and arm protection – gloves and gauntlets
• Foot protection – safety boots and shoes
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – disposable masks, half and full-face respirators, powered and air-fed systems
• Body protection – high-visibility clothing, overalls, aprons, chemical suits and coveralls
• Fall protection – harnesses and lanyards used for working at height

Why PPE is the last level of protection

PPE does not remove the hazard – it only protects the person wearing it, and only when it is the right type, fits properly and is worn correctly. If it fails, is removed or is the wrong specification, the worker is fully exposed. That is why the law expects you to work through the hierarchy of control first:

In practice PPE is often used alongside higher controls – for example, dust extraction on a cutting saw plus RPE for the operator – rather than as the only measure.

What the law requires

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 apply across Great Britain. Since 6 April 2022, the PPE at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 have extended the same duties to limb (b) workers – typically casual or irregular workers who do work personally under a contract for services – so they must be treated the same as employees. Your key duties are to:

Workers in turn must use PPE in line with their training, take reasonable care of it, return it to its storage, and report any loss or defect.

How to choose the right PPE: a step-by-step approach

Having any PPE on site is not enough. The wrong PPE can be as dangerous as none – it creates false confidence. Work through these steps:

1. Identify the hazards. Conduct a risk assessment so you know exactly what your workers are exposed to – impact, dust, chemicals, noise, falls, heat, vehicles.
2. Consider what could go wrong. Think through the injuries and ill health that could realistically occur, including long-term effects such as hearing loss, dermatitis or lung disease.
3. Apply higher controls first. Decide what risk remains after elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls. That residual risk is what the PPE must deal with.
4. Match the PPE to the specific hazard. Not all PPE is equal. Goggles rated for chemical splash may not protect against high-speed impact; general work gloves will not stop solvent permeation; a nuisance dust mask is not RPE.
5. Check the marking and standard. PPE sold in Great Britain should carry the UKCA or CE mark, and should be tested to the relevant standard for the hazard (see the table below).
6. Make sure it fits every wearer. Offer a range of sizes and adjustable designs. Tight-fitting RPE needs a face fit test for each wearer, and facial hair under the seal will stop it working.
7. Choose comfortable PPE. If it is hot, heavy or awkward, people will take it off. Comfort is a safety feature.
8. Protect dexterity, movement and vision. PPE that restricts movement, fogs up or blocks peripheral vision can cause the accident it is meant to prevent.
9. Check items work together. Does the respirator stop goggles sealing? Do ear defenders fit under the helmet? Choose combinations designed to be worn together.
10. Buy on quality, not price. Cheap, uncertified or counterfeit PPE may fail when it matters. Buy from reputable suppliers who can show test certification.
11. Ask your workers. Involve the people who wear it in trials and ask for feedback on fit, comfort and practicality, then act on it.

Matching PPE to the hazard: common types and standards

The standard printed on the product tells you what it has been tested to protect against. Use this as a starting point, then confirm the specific performance level against your risk assessment.

Maintaining, storing and replacing PPE

PPE only protects while it is in good condition. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning, inspection, replacement periods and shelf life. Wearers should check their PPE before each use and report damage; simple maintenance can be done by a trained wearer, but more detailed repairs should be left to specialists. Provide somewhere clean and dry to store PPE so it is not left contaminated or damaged at the end of a shift.

Review your PPE choices whenever the work, the substances or the workforce change, and after any incident or near miss. If you want a structured way to record your findings, the risk assessment tools can help, or get an independent view with a Health and Safety Risk Review for Businesses.

PPE training: the usual route

Workers and supervisors need to understand why PPE is needed, how to wear and check it, and its limitations. These courses are delivered by accredited training providers and can be booked through Envico:

PPE frequently asked questions

Can an employer charge workers for PPE?

No. If PPE is needed for the work, it must be provided free of charge, whether or not it is returnable. Since April 2022 this also applies to limb (b) workers, such as many casual workers.

Who is responsible for choosing PPE?

The employer. They must assess the risks and make sure the PPE is suitable for the hazard, the task and the individual wearer. Involving the workers who will wear it helps get the choice right.

Why is PPE the last resort?

Because it only protects the wearer, and only when it is the right type, fits, is in good condition and is worn correctly. Removing or controlling the hazard at source protects everyone and does not rely on individual behaviour.

Does PPE need a UKCA mark?

PPE placed on the market in Great Britain can carry either the UKCA mark or the CE mark – the government has extended recognition of CE-marked PPE indefinitely. Either way, check it is tested to the right standard for your hazard.

Do respirators need fit testing?

Tight-fitting RPE, including disposable FFP masks and half masks, should be face fit tested for each wearer, because a poor seal lets contaminated air leak in. Wearers also need to be clean-shaven where the mask seals against the face.

What happens if a worker refuses to wear PPE?

Workers have a legal duty to use PPE in line with their training and instruction. Find out why first – discomfort, poor fit or interference with the task are common reasons, and fixing them often solves the problem. Persistent refusal can then be dealt with through your normal disciplinary procedures.

Related Guidance

Related Courses

This guidance was reviewed in October 2026 against HSE guidance on the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, as amended by the PPE at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022. It is general information, not legal advice.