Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work regulations
On the 6 April 2022 the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022) will come into force and therefore amend the current 1992 Regulations (PPER 1992).
The amendment extends employers’ and employees’ duties regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) to those classified as limb (b) workers.
If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on the use of PPE. A limb (b) worker will have the duty to use the PPE in accordance with their training and instruction, and ensure it is returned to the storage area provided by their employer.
What this means for employers
PPER 1992 places a duty on every employer in Great Britain to ensure that suitable PPE is provided to ‘employees’ who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.
PPER 2022 extends this duty to limb (b) workers and comes into force on 6 April 2022. Employers need to carefully consider whether the change to UK law apply to them and their workforce and make the necessary preparations to comply.
What this means for limb (b) workers
If a risk assessment indicates that a limb (b) worker requires PPE to carry out their work activities, the employer must carry out a PPE suitability assessment and provide the PPE free of charge as they do for employees. The employer will be responsible for the maintenance, storage and replacement of any PPE they provide. As a worker, you will be required to use the PPE properly following training and instruction from your employer. If the PPE you provide is lost or becomes defective, you should report that to your employer.
Definitions of limb (a) and limb (b) workers
In the UK, section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996’s definition of a worker has 2 limbs:
Limb (a) describes those with a contract of employment. This group are employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and are already in scope of PPER 1992
Limb (b) describes workers who generally have a more casual employment relationship and work under a contract for service – they do not currently come under the scope of PPER 1992
PPER 2022 draws on this definition of worker and captures both employees and limb (b) workers:
‘“worker” means ‘an individual who has entered into or works under –
(a) a contract of employment; or
(b) any other contract, whether express or implied and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing, whereby the individual undertakes to do or personally perform any work or services for another party to the contract whose status is not by virtue of the contract that of a client or customer of any profession or business undertaking carried on by the individual and any references to a worker’s contract shall be construed accordingly.’
General duties of limb (b) workers
Generally, workers who come under limb (b) if they:
- carry out casual or irregular work for one or more organisations
- after 1 month of continuous service, receive holiday pay but no other employment rights such as the minimum period of statutory notice
- only carry out work if they choose to
- have a contract or other arrangement to do work or services personally for a reward (the contract doesn’t have to be written) and only have a limited right to send someone else to do the work, for example swapping shifts with someone on a pre-approved list (subcontracting)
- are not in business for themselves (they do not advertise services directly to customers who can then also book their services directly)
As every employment relationship will be specific to the individual and employer, the precise status of any worker can ultimately only be determined by a court or tribunal.
Please note: These changes do not apply to those who have a ‘self-employed’ status.
Hierarchy of controls
PPE should be regarded as the last resort to protect against risks to health and safety. Engineering controls and safe systems of work should be considered first. Consider controls in the following order, with elimination being the most effective and PPE being the least effective:
- Elimination – physically remove the hazard
- Substitution – replace the hazard
- Engineering controls – isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative controls – change the way people work
- PPE – protect the worker with personal protective equipment
Employers with both employees and limb (b) workers
By 6 April 2022, you will need to ensure that there is no difference in the way PPE is provided to your workers, as defined by PPER 2022. This means assessing the risk and ensuring suitable PPE is provided, when needed, to all people that fall under the definition of worker.
The PPE provided must be compatible, maintained and correctly stored. All workers must use the PPE properly following training and instruction in its use from their employer. If the PPE you provide is lost or becomes defective, your worker should report that to you.
Employers with only limb (b) workers
You need to ensure that your workers are provided with PPE free of charge, where required, by 6 April 2022. This means assessing the residual risk once all other measures (such as engineering controls) have been taken.
You then need to ensure suitable PPE is:
- provided
- compatible
- maintained
- correctly stored
- used properly
You will also need to provide training and instruction in its use to all your workers. You cannot charge workers for PPE they require to carry out their work.
Author: Paul Jackson, Health & Safety Advisor at Howarths
