What is PPE and what does PPE stand for?

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. PPE is essentially any equipment or clothing worn to help with visibility, and to minimise exposure to hazards and risks that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. 

Prominence, importance and knowledge around PPE has become a lot more widespread and discussed in the UK, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an FFP3 mask or face mask becoming a part of everyone’s daily attire, however, the relevance of PPE spans across many differing industries such as, but not limited to, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. PPE can include items such as gloves, eye protection, and face coverings, to protective clothing, safety helmets, and hi vis vests. Each type of PPE is made to help protect different areas of the body, and is worn in a workplace based on the level of risk in that specific workplace.

Why is PPE important in the workplace?

PPE plays a very important part in ensuring safety within a workplace. PPE should be the last line of defence against injuries within a workplace, after all other risk control measures have been applied. While completely eliminating a hazard is always preferred, it isn’t always a practical option. This is where PPE can become essential.

In workplaces where a risk cannot be fully controlled through other measures, PPE, such as an FFP3 mask can be used to filter out airborne hazards in a workplace where respiratory protection is important. Those who work in construction or demolition may benefit massively from an FFP3 face mask, which offers the highest level of respiratory filtration, allowing you to carry out the work without breathing in dangerous particles.

What Types of PPE Are Required by UK Law?

Employers of a workplace in the UK are legally required to provide suitable PPE to employees free of charge, and ensure it is being worn and works as expected. Regulation 4 of the PPE at Work Regulations outlines that PPE must be appropriate for the level of risk, well-kept and maintained, as well as fully compatible with other safety equipment or clothing worn by the worker.

Depending on the specific workplace, the required PPE could include eye protection, ear defenders, footwear, protective gloves, and head protection such as a certified safety helmet. Employers must also give employees training on using the PPE correctly, including how to wear it, when to wear it, and how to store or, in some cases, dispose of it correctly.

Who should wear high visibility clothing?

High visibility workwear is one of the most recognised and important forms of PPE. It is required in workplaces where visibility is very important for employee safety, including construction, road or railway maintenance, warehouse operations, and emergency services as well as many other industries. Under EN ISO 20471 in the UK, workers in these workplaces are required to be equipped with highly visible, retro-reflective hi viz clothing to stay visible in all lighting conditions.

Employers in these workplaces are not only required to provide this clothing when needed, but must also ensure it is the correct size, fits the employee correctly, and is in good condition.

Where can I buy PPE that meets UK safety standards?

Whether your business is a small team or an entire site, it is important to make sure your PPE supplier sells certified, UK-compliant PPE. At Jax First Aid, you’ll find a comprehensive selection of PPE and safety clothing. All PPE items we sell are carefully chosen to be compliant with the relevant BSI and EN standards.

PPE Saves Lives

Understanding what PPE is and why it is so important is not just about compliance, but it is also about keeping employees safe. Whether it is a hi vis vest that helps an employee stay visible in dim lit environments, or a safety helmet that could prevent a serious injury, PPE is essential. But PPE is only effective when used correctly, well maintained, and matched carefully to the risks of the specific workplace.