What does the law say?
Definitions
- PPE
- — Personal protective equipment: any equipment intended to be worn or held by the worker to protect them against one or more risks to their safety or health at work.
- CPE
- — Collective protective equipment: any protective equipment intended to protect the worker against one or more hazards to their safety or health at work.
In summary
- The employer determines the conditions of use.
- Use is in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- The employer provides sufficient information and instructions.
- The employer provides training or a training course for the use of the PPE.
Legal text
“The employer determines the conditions under which PPE must be used, based on the severity of the risk, the frequency of exposure and the characteristics of the workstation. They ensure that workers actually and correctly use the PPE, provide understandable written information and instructions, and where appropriate organise a training course for its use.”
“The employer determines the conditions under which CPE must be used. CPE may only be used for the purpose for which it was designed and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The employer ensures that workers have the required knowledge for the correct use of the CPE.”