Hard hats, gloves, goggles, boots, ear defenders — PPE is the safety gear everyone recognises. But it's also the most misunderstood: it's the last line of defence, not the first, and only protects when it's the right kit, fitted properly and actually worn. This guide covers choosing it, using it, and what your employer must provide.
Why PPE comes last, not first
It's tempting to reach for PPE as the answer to every hazard, but the law and good practice put it at the bottom of the list. First you try to remove or control the hazard at source — PPE is what protects you against whatever risk is left.
That order matters: a mask is no substitute for stopping the dust in the first place.
Head-to-toe protection
Different jobs need different protection. Tap each area of the body to see what to think about.
Top priority
Hard hats for falling objects; goggles or face shields for dust, sparks and chemical splash.
The main categories
PPE groups into a few families, each matched to a type of harm — from sudden impacts to slow, silent damage.
Head & face
Hard hats, goggles, face shields and hearing protection for the most vulnerable areas.
Hands & body
Gloves, overalls and hi-vis matched to cut, chemical, thermal or visibility hazards.
Lungs & ears
Respirators and ear protection guard against damage that builds silently over years.
Ill-fitting PPE is barely PPE at all. A loose mask or the wrong gloves give a false sense of safety.
Using PPE properly
Getting real protection from PPE comes down to four steps:
Assess the hazard first
PPE is the last line of defence. Remove or control the hazard before relying on equipment.
Select the right kit
Match PPE to the specific risk — and make sure it fits the person wearing it.
Wear it correctly
Badly fitted PPE barely protects. RPE in particular must be face-fit tested and worn properly.
Check, clean, replace
Inspect before use, keep it clean, and replace anything damaged or past its life.
What the HSA expects
Under the PPE provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge, ensure it fits and train workers to use it. In practice:
- Provide suitable PPE free of charge
- Make sure it fits and is compatible
- Train workers to use and maintain it
- Replace damaged or worn equipment