If you work in construction it’s likely you’ll have to use personal protection equipment (PPE), if you’re an employer in the construction industry there is every chance you will have to supply your employees with PPE.


Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 state: “Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his 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.”


It’s therefore essential that if there is a risk to employees health or safety at work that appropriate PPE is provided along with the necessary training to use the personal protective equipment.


In providing PPE, employers must go further than simply having the adequate equipment on site. The equipment must be available, or for the employee to be provided with clear and concise instructions detailing where they can obtain the relevant equipment.


Section 9 of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act makes it clear that in providing the personal protective equipment, employers cannot charge the employee for the provision of that equipment as long as it is only to be used at work, stating: "No employer shall levy or permit to be levied on any employee of his any charge in respect of anything done or provided in pursuance of any specific requirement of the relevant statutory provisions" (where specific requirement means providing PPE).


Although that’s legalistic, it’s important to have a grasp of why employers should provide PPE for their employees.


If you are in doubt about the requirement to supply an employee PPE for a task on a construction site, you should consult your risk assessment document, speak to a safety consultant and when unclear err on the side of caution and provide employees with PPE.


View our range of personal protective equipment or speak to one of our PPE specialists on 01772 786000.