Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to clothing, equipment, and devices worn by workers to protect against workplace hazards that cannot be eliminated through engineering or administrative controls.
PPE used at height
- Safety helmets (with chinstrap)
- Full-body harnesses
- Lanyards and self-retracting lifelines
- High-visibility clothing
- Cut-resistant gloves
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection (for power tools)
- Safety footwear with ankle support
Employer duties under UK law
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) require employers to:
- Assess risks before selecting PPE
- Provide suitable PPE free of charge
- Ensure correct fit (especially for harnesses)
- Train workers in proper use
- Maintain, store, and replace as needed
Hierarchy of control
PPE is considered the last line of defence — engineering controls (guardrails, edge protection) and administrative controls (procedures, training) take priority.