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Personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance

PPE is equipment that protects users against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE).



Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work regulations from 6 April 2022

This document explains changes to the scope of the PPE Regulations which apply from 6 April 2022, when the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022) came into force and amend the 1992 Regulations (PPER 1992).

They extend employers’ and employees’ duties regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) to limb (b) workers.


This document outlines the following key information, explaining what has changed and what this means for both employers and workers:

  • Duties unchanged but extended.

  • Definitions of limb (a) and limb (b) workers.

  • What PPE is.

  • hierarchy of controls.

  • Employers with both employees and limb (b) workers.

  • Employers with only limb (b) workers.

  • How this legislation will be enforced.

  • PPE not regulated and enforced under PPER 1992.

Risk at Work – Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Employers responsibilities to workers on providing PPE changed on 6 April 2022. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 amend the 1992 Regulations to extend employers’ and employees’ duties in respect of PPE to a wider group of workers.


This HSE guidance explains the duties employers have concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.


HSE April 2022


Please click on the urls below for the full document:





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