Types of PPE and the Legal Requirements

Types of PPE and the Legal Requirements

Your employer should carry out risk assessments on all the jobs you do. One of the outcomes from this may be that you will be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). If you are required to use PPE your employer will provide it for you and you must make sure you wear it correctly and look after it. PPE is designed to prevent you having any H&S problems from the jobs you do.

One of the most important things you will typically be asked to use is a pair of suitable gloves for any wet work, such as washing up or cleaning tasks. This is to prevent you coming in contact with cleaning chemicals, which can cause skin problems such as dermatitis, which is a common occupational disease in the catering sector.

If you carry hot items you will need to wear heat protective gloves to prevent you getting burnt.

If you have very noisy areas you may need to wear earplugs or ear defenders. Your employer should do a noise risk assessment and let you know the result.

If PPE gets damaged or you think it is unsuitable you must tell your manager who will resolve the issue in order to make sure you are not out at risk.