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PPE Requirements Checker
Free PPE requirements checker. Select your industry, task type, and risk level to get a complete personal protective equipment checklist with relevant UK, US OSHA, and EU standards cited. Covers head, eye, hearing, respiratory, hand, foot, and body protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for providing PPE at work?
In the UK, employers must provide appropriate PPE free of charge under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022. Employees must use it correctly and report defects. In the US, OSHA's PPE standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I for general industry) require employers to provide and pay for most required PPE.
What does CE marking on PPE mean?
CE marking indicates that PPE meets EU safety standards. After Brexit, UK-specific UKCA marking is required for PPE sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). CE marking is still accepted in Northern Ireland. Always check the classification: Category I (minimal risk), Category II (moderate risk), Category III (complex/life-threatening risks).
When is PPE the last resort?
PPE should only be used as a last resort after other control measures (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls) have been applied. This follows the hierarchy of controls under the COSHH Regulations and OSHA's hierarchy of hazard controls.
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