What are the changes?
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 are an amended version of the same regulations that were introduced in 1992. The previous version of the regulations only covers what the Employment Rights Act 1996 refers to as Limb a) workers, meaning workers that are contracted to a company as an employee.
In the 2022 version, the right to be supplied PPE, as well as adequate information, instruction and training on the use of PPE, extends to what is known as Limb b) workers. These workers differ from Limb a) workers in that Limb b) workers are more casual workers and are contracted on a service basis rather than an employment basis. As well as this, the new regulations specify that there is to be no difference in the way that PPE is distributed and risk assessed when dealing with Limb a) workers and Limb b) workers.
These regulations also ensure that Limb b) workers are not only supplied with adequate PPE, but are supplied it free of charge.
When to supply your workers with PPE
Although PPE is an effective method for protecting workers from hazards, the HSE considers this method a last resort, and other techniques to provide protection and improve workplace safety must be followed. If these methods prove ineffective, then adequate PPE should be issued to all Limb a) and Limb b) workers.
The following steps must be performed in this order before PPE is issued, and sufficient training on each of these steps must be provided to all workers:
· Elimination – Remove what is causing the hazard
· Substitution – Assess if a suitable substitution for the potentially hazardous object can be found and replace it
· Engineering Controls – Isolate and possibly evacuate workers from the hazard for their protection
· Administrative Controls – Adopt safer working methods for yourself and your staff
If all of these actions have been followed and the hazard is still present, only then should PPE be distributed.
It is always important to make sure that the safety of yourself and your staff is number one priority, so keeping up to date with regulations such as these is vital in ensuring you are doing everything you can to maintain a safe and efficient working environment for all.
If you’re looking to stock up on equipment such as this for your business, you can find exactly what you need within our PPE and Hygiene range here.