Health & Safety Adviser

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK REGULATIONS (PPER) 1992

In the UK, PPER 1992, as amended in 2002, is the main set of regulations dealing
specifically with personal protective equipment.

The table below highlights the main requirements. If in doubt, always refer to the full text
of the statutory instrument which is included in the HSE’s L25 ‘Personal protective
equipment at work (Third edition – 2015)’ (www.hse.gov.uk). This document also includes
the HSE guidance on the Regulations, there is no Approved Code of Practice (ACoP). Other
key documents are listed at the foot of this page.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK REGULATIONS (PPER) 1992

Regulation Heading:
1 ‘Citation and
commencement’
2 ‘Interpretation’
3 ‘Disapplication of these
Regulations’
4 ‘Provision of personal
protective equipment’
5 ‘Compatibility of personal Where more than one type of PPE has to
protective equipment’
6 ‘Assessment of personal You need to carry out an assessment to make
protective equipment’
7 ‘Maintenance and
The Key Points for You:
The official title of the Regulations and when they
came into force.
The definition of PPE as ‘all equipment
(including clothing affording protection against
the weather) which is intended to be worn or
held by a person at work and which protects
him against one or more risks to his health or
safety, and any addition or accessory designed
to meet that objective’
Sets out certain situations in which some or all of
PPER does not apply, for example, motorcycle
crash helmets.
Requires you as the employer to ‘ensure that
suitable personal protective equipment is
provided to employees who may be exposed
to a risk to their health or safety while at work
except where and to the extent that such risk
has been adequately controlled by other
means which are equally or more effective.’
be worn at the same time, they should be
compatible and not interfere with each
other’s effectiveness.
sure PPE is the right solution, and that you choose
the right PPE in the circumstances.
You have a duty to ‘maintain’ PPE. The HSE

© 2021 Agora Business Publications LLP. The information in this document is for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or
entity. The document may need to be tailored to suit individual circumstances and professional advice should be sought before any action is taken, or any decision is made to refrain from
action. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Agora Business Publications LLP and our contributors do not accept liability for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or other losses or
damages of whatsoever kind arising from any action or inaction of the user other than liability limited to the fee paid for the document.
Health & Safety Adviser
replacement of says your arrangements should cover:
personal protective (a) Examination – checking for faults,
equipment’ damage, wear and tear, dirt, etc.
(b) Testing – to ensure PPE is operating as
intended.
(c) Cleaning – including disinfection if appropriate.
(d) Repair.
(e) Replacement.
8 ‘Accommodation for If you provide PPE, you must also provide
personal protective somewhere for it to be stored when it’s not in
equipment’ use.
9 ‘Information, You must provide your employees with
instruction and information, instruction and training so
training’ that they understand the hazards involved,
how to wear the PPE properly and what
they need to do if there’s anything wrong
with it.
10 ‘Use of personal You have a duty to take reasonable steps
protective equipment’ to ensure PPE is worn; your employees also
have a duty to wear their PPE as per the
training you’ve given them.

Guide to the Main PPER Requirements

Regulation Heading: The Key Points for You:
11 ‘Reporting loss or Your employees have a duty to report to you if
defect’ they lose their PPE, or if there’s anything wrong
with it.
12 ‘Exemption certificates’ Armed forces may be exempted from PPER by the
Secretary of State for Defence, if that’s in the
interests of national security.
13 ‘Extension outside PPER applies to offshore installations,
Great Britain’ wells, pipelines, and activities carried out
by vessels in connection with them e.g.
construction, repair, dismantling, loading,
unloading and diving.
14 ‘Modifications, repeal A list of other legislation superseded or changed
and revocations’ by PPER.

© 2021 Agora Business Publications LLP. The information in this document is for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or
entity. The document may need to be tailored to suit individual circumstances and professional advice should be sought before any action is taken, or any decision is made to refrain from
action. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Agora Business Publications LLP and our contributors do not accept liability for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or other losses or
damages of whatsoever kind arising from any action or inaction of the user other than liability limited to the fee paid for the document.
Health & Safety Adviser
Other key HSE documents are as follows (enter the reference in the search box on the
HSE website www.hse.gov.uk to locate the document quickly):

Title Title
Reference
Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work - a brief guide INDG174
Respiratory protective equipment at work - a practical guide HSG53
Selecting protective gloves for work with chemicals INDG330
Is your mask protecting you? INDG460
Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work - a brief guide INDG174

© 2021 Agora Business Publications LLP. The information in this document is for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or
entity. The document may need to be tailored to suit individual circumstances and professional advice should be sought before any action is taken, or any decision is made to refrain from
action. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Agora Business Publications LLP and our contributors do not accept liability for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or other losses or
damages of whatsoever kind arising from any action or inaction of the user other than liability limited to the fee paid for the document.