The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002

Made: 20th April 2002

Laid before Parliament: 23rd April 2002

Coming into force: 15th May 2002

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Citation, commencement and revocation

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Interpretation

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Application

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Excluded PPE

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PPE placed on the market before 1 July 1992

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Transitional Exclusion

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General duty of placing on the market of PPE

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General duty relating to the supply of PPE

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Exceptions to placing on the market and supply in respect of certain PPE

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Conformity assessment procedures

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CE marking

12

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Approved bodies

13

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Appointment of approved bodies

14

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Fees

15

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Application of Schedule 10 on Enforcement

16

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Offences

17

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Penalties

18

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Defence of due diligence

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Liability of persons other than the principal offender

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SCHEDULE 1 — ANNEX I OF THE PPE DIRECTIVE

EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF PPE CLASSES NOT COVERED BY THIS DIRECTIVE

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SCHEDULE 2 — ANNEX II OF THE PPE DIRECTIVE

BASIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL PPE

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Design principles

1.1

Ergonomics

1.1.1

PPE must be so designed and manufactured that in the foreseeable conditions of use for which it is intended the user can perform the risk-related activity normally whilst enjoying appropriate protection of the highest possible level.

Levels and classes of protection

1.1.2

1.1.2.1

Highest level of protection possible

1.1.2.2

Classes of protection appropriate to different levels of risk

Innocuousness of PPE

1.2

Absence of risks and other “inherent” nuisance factors

1.2.1

PPE must be so designed and manufactured as to preclude risks and other nuisance factors under foreseeable conditions of use.

1.2.1.1

Suitable constituent materials

1.2.1.2

Satisfactory surface condition of all PPE parts in contact with the user

1.2.1.3

Maximum permissible user impediment

Comfort and efficiency

1.3

Adaptation of PPE to user morphology

1.3.1

PPE must be so designed and manufactured as to facilitate correct positioning on the user and to remain in place for the foreseeable period of use, bearing in mind ambient factors, movements to be made and postures to be adopted. For this purpose, it must be possible to optimise PPE adaptation to user morphology by all appropriate means, such as adequate adjustment and attachment systems or the provision of an adequate size range.

Lightness and strength

1.3.2

PPE must be as light as possible without prejudicing design strength and efficiency.

Compatibility of different classes or types of PPE designed for simultaneous use

1.3.3

If the same manufacturer markets several PPE models of different classes or types in order to ensure the simultaneous protection of adjacent parts of the body against combined risks, these must be compatible.

Information supplied by the manufacturer

1.4

In addition to the name and address of the manufacturer and/or his authorised representative established in the Community, the notes that must be drawn up by the former and supplied when PPE is placed on the market must contain all relevant information on:

• (a) storage, use, cleaning, maintenance, servicing and disinfecting. Cleaning, maintenance or disinfectant products recommended by manufacturers must have no adverse effect on PPE or users when applied in accordance with the relevant instructions;

• (b) performance as recorded during technical tests to check the levels or classes of protection provided by the PPE in question;

• (c) suitable PPE accessories and the characteristics of appropriate spare parts;

• (d) the classes of protection appropriate to different levels of risk and the corresponding limits of use;

• (e) the obsolescence deadline or period of obsolescence of PPE or certain of its components;

• (f) the type of packaging suitable for transport;

• (g) the significance of any markings (see 2.12);

• (h) where appropriate, the references of the Directives applied in accordance with Article 5(6)(b);

• (i) the name, address and identification number of the notified body involved in the design stage of the PPE.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO SEVERAL CLASSES OR TYPES OF PPE

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PPE incorporating adjustment systems

2.1

If PPE incorporates adjustment systems, the latter must be so designed and manufactured as not to become incorrectly adjusted without the user’s knowledge under the foreseeable conditions of use.

PPE “enclosing” the parts of the body to be protected

2.2

As far as possible, PPE “enclosing” the parts of the body to be protected must be sufficiently ventilated to limit perspiration resulting from use; if this is not the case, it must if possible be equipped with devices which absorb perspiration.

PPE for the face, eyes and respiratory tracts

2.3

Any restriction of the user’s field of vision or sight by PPE for the face, eyes or respiratory tract must be minimised.

• The degree of optical neutrality of the vision systems of these PPE classes must be compatible with the type of relatively meticulous and/or prolonged activities of the user.

• If necessary, they must be treated or provided with facilities to prevent moisture formation.

• PPE models intended for users requiring sight correction must be compatible with the wearing of spectacles or contact lenses.

PPE subject to ageing

2.4

If it is known that the design performances of new PPE may be significantly affected by ageing, the date of manufacture and/or, if possible, the date of obsolescence, must be indelibly inscribed on every PPE item or interchangeable component placed on the market in such a way as to preclude any misinterpretation; this information must also be indelibly inscribed on the packaging.

• If a manufacturer is unable to give an undertaking with regard to the useful life of PPE, his notes must provide all the information necessary to enable the purchaser or user to establish a reasonable obsolescence date, bearing in mind the quality level of the model and the effective conditions of storage, use, cleaning, servicing and maintenance.

• Where appreciable and rapid deterioration in PPE performance is likely to be caused by ageing resulting from the periodic use of a cleaning process recommended by the manufacturer, the latter must, if possible, affix a mark to each item of PPE placed on the market indicating the maximum number of cleaning operations that may be carried out before the equipment needs to be inspected or discarded; failing that, the manufacturer must give this information in his notes.

PPE which may be caught up during use

2.5

Where the foreseeable conditions of use include in particular the risk of the PPE being caught up by a moving object thereby creating a danger for the user, the PPE must possess an appropriate resistance threshold above which a constituent part will break and eliminate the danger.

PPE for use in explosive atmospheres

2.6

PPE intended for use in explosive atmospheres must be so designed and manufactured that it cannot be the source of an electric, electrostatic or impact-induced arc or spark likely to cause an explosive mixture to ignite.

PPE intended for emergency use or rapid installation and/or removal

2.7

These PPE classes must be so designed and manufactured as to minimise the time required for attachment and (or) removal.

PPE for use in very dangerous situations

2.8

The information notes supplied by the manufacturer together with PPE for use in the very dangerous situations referred to in Article 8(4)(a) must include, in particular, data intended for the exclusive use of competent trained individuals who are qualified to interpret them and ensure their application by the user.

PPE incorporating components which can be adjusted or removed by the user

2.9

Any PPE components which can be adjusted or removed by the user for the purpose of replacement must be so designed and manufactured as to facilitate adjustment, attachment and removal without tools.

PPE for connection to another, external complementary device

2.10

If PPE incorporates a system permitting connection to another, complementary, device, the attachment mechanism must be so designed and manufactured as to enable it to be mounted only on appropriate equipment.

PPE incorporating a fluid circulation system

2.11

If PPE incorporates a fluid circulation system, the latter must be so chosen, or designed, and incorporated as to permit adequate fluid renewal in the vicinity of the entire part of the body to be protected, irrespective of user gestures, posture or movement under the foreseeable conditions of use.

PPE bearing one or more identification or recognition marks directly or indirectly relating to health and safety

2.12

The identification or recognition marks directly or indirectly relating to health and safety affixed to these types or classes of PPE must preferably take the form of harmonised pictograms or ideograms and must remain perfectly legible throughout the foreseeable useful life of the PPE. In addition, these marks must be complete, precise and comprehensible so as to prevent any misinterpretation; in particular, when such marks incorporate words or sentences, the latter must appear in the official language(s) of the Member State where the equipment is to be used.

PPE in the form of clothing capable of signalling the user’s presence visually

2.13

PPE in the form of clothing intended for foreseeable conditions of use in which the user’s presence must be visibly and individually signalled must have one (or more) judiciously positioned means of or devices for emitting direct or reflected visible radiation of appropriate luminous intensity and photometric and colorimetric properties.

“Multi-risk” PPE

2.14

All PPE designed to protect the user against several potentially simultaneous risks must be so designed and manufactured as to satisfy, in particular, the basic requirements specific to each of those risks (see 3).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO PARTICULAR RISKS

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Protection against mechanical impact

3.1

Impact caused by falling or projecting objects and collision of parts of the body with an obstacle

3.1.1

Suitable PPE for this type of risk must be sufficiently shock-absorbent to prevent injury resulting, in particular, from the crushing or penetration of the protected part, at least up to an impact-energy level above which the excessive dimensions or mass of the absorbing device would preclude effective use of the PPE for the foreseeable period of wear.

Falls

3.1.2

3.1.2.1

Prevention of falls due to slipping

3.1.2.2

Prevention of falls from a height

• PPE designed to prevent falls from a height or their effects must incorporate a body harness and an attachment system which can be connected to a reliable anchorage point. It must be designed so that under the foreseeable conditions of use the vertical drop of the user is minimised to prevent collision with obstacles and the braking force does not, however, attain the threshold value at which physical injury or the tearing or rupture of any PPE component which might cause the user to fall can be expected to occur.

• It must also ensure that after braking the user is maintained in a correct position in which he may await help if necessary.

• The manufacturer’s notes must specify in particular all relevant information relating to: the characteristics required for the reliable anchorage point and the necessary minimum clearance below the user, the proper way of putting on the body harness and of connecting the attachment system to the reliable anchorage point.

Mechanical vibration

3.1.3

PPE designed to prevent the effects of mechanical vibrations must be capable of ensuring adequate attenuation of harmful vibration components for the part of the body at risk.

Protection against (static) compression of part of the body

3.2

PPE designed to protect part of the body against (static) compressive stress must be sufficiently capable of attenuating its effects to prevent serious injury or chronic complaints.

Protection against physical injury (abrasion, perforation, cuts, bites)

3.3

PPE constituent materials and other components designed to protect all or part of the body against superficial injury caused by machinery, such as abrasion, perforation, cuts or bites, must be so chosen or designed and incorporated as to ensure that these PPE classes provide sufficient resistance to abrasion, perforation and gashing (see also 3.1) under the foreseeable conditions of use.

Prevention of drowning (lifejackets, armbands and lifesaving suits)

3.4

PPE designed to prevent drowning must be capable of returning to the surface as quickly as possible, without danger to his health, a user who may be exhausted or unconscious after falling into a liquid medium, and of keeping him afloat in a position which permits breathing while awaiting help.

• PPE may be wholly or partially inherently buoyant or may be inflated either by gas which can be manually or automatically released or orally.

• Under the foreseeable conditions of use: PPE must, without prejudice to its satisfactory operation, be capable of withstanding the effects of impact with the liquid medium and the environmental factors inherent in that medium, inflatable PPE must be capable of inflating rapidly and fully.

• Where particular foreseeable conditions of use so require, certain types of PPE must also satisfy one or more of the following additional requirements: it must have all the inflation devices referred to in the second subparagraph, and/or a light or sound-signalling device, it must have a device for hitching and attaching the body so that the user may be lifted out of the liquid medium, it must be suitable for prolonged use throughout the period of activity exposing the user, possibly dressed, to the risk of falling into the liquid medium or requiring his immersion in it.

Buoyancy aids

3.4.1

Clothing which will ensure an effective degree of buoyancy, depending on its foreseeable use, which is safe when worn and which affords positive support in water. In foreseeable conditions of use, this PPE must not restrict the user’s freedom of movement but must enable him, in particular, to swim or take action to escape from danger or rescue other persons.

Protection against the harmful effects of noise

3.5

PPE designed to prevent the harmful effects of noise must be capable of attenuating the latter to such an extent that the equivalent sound levels perceived by the user do not under any circumstances exceed the daily limit values laid down by Council Directive 86/188/EEC of 12 May 1986 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to noise at work[^f00008].

Protection against heat and/or fire

3.6

PPE designed to protect all or part of the body against the effects of heat and/or fire must possess thermal insulation capacity and mechanical strength appropriate to foreseeable conditions of use.

PPE constituent materials and other components

3.6.1

Constituent materials and other components suitable for protection against radiant and convective heat must possess an appropriate coefficient of transmission of incident heat flux and be sufficiently incombustible to preclude any risk of spontaneous ignition under the foreseeable conditions of use.

• Where the outside of these materials and components must be reflective, its reflective power must be appropriate to the intensity of the heat flux due to radiation in the infra-red range.

• Materials and other components of equipment intended for brief use in high-temperature environments and of PPE which may be splashed by hot products such as large quantities of molten material must also possess sufficient thermal capacity to retain most of the stored heat until after the user has left the danger area and removed his PPE.

• PPE materials and other components which may be splashed by large amounts of hot products must also possess sufficient mechanical-impact absorbency (see 3.1).

• PPE materials and other components which may accidentally come into contact with flame and those used in the manufacture of fire-fighting equipment must also possess a degree of non-flammability corresponding to the risk class associated with the foreseeable conditions of use. They must not melt when exposed to flames nor contribute to flame propagation.

Complete PPE ready for use

3.6.2

Under the foreseeable conditions of use: