What the PPE regulation changes mean for the workplace

After over 20 years, the PPE Directive, which was adopted into UK law in 1992, has been reformed. These reforms are set to change PPE safety standards and classifications across the health and safety sector, with updates being rolled out across the supply chain that will affect everyone from manufacturers and distributors to onsite health and safety managers and end users.

PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 became law on April 21 but UK businesses have until April 2018 to prepare for full enforcement. As well as reclassifying some categories of PPE, the new regulation has introduced a five-year validity period on PPE certificates and requires a declaration of conformity for all products on the market. Where previously it was the manufacturers themselves who had to ensure they complied with the older PPE Directive, the new legislation has made it a responsibility of the whole supply chain to make sure that equipment is compliant and issued with the correct certifications.

The effects of this shared responsibility will be industry-wide. For end users it will ultimately result in increased levels of safety across the workplace as new regulations will make it harder for cheap, non-compliant imports to make it onto the factory floor. For manufacturers and distributors it will kick-start competition and fuel the design and production of new and innovative PPE equipment.

Any equipment classified as PPE is affected by the new legislation and many products have been assigned new categories. For example, hearing protection and life jackets will be moved from Category II (intermediate) to Category III (complex) to reflect areas of the workplace where hazards are serious and not obvious at first.

Luckily, the legislation changes do not require every health and safety manager to dispose of and replace the PPE already in use across the workplace. Preparation is most important here and it is key that current equipment in use is audited and re-tested to new specifications where appropriate. This might seem like a large undertaking but it is ultimately about creating a safer working environment for the end user.

PPE forms the backbone of health and safety at work and it is vital that its importance stands at the heart of workforce education. Recognising and reporting cases of defective or unsuitable PPE should become routine for end users and by fostering a culture of awareness and collaboration, businesses can ensure that all team members are prepared for April 2018.

From a distributor’s perspective, the new regulation will potentially trigger a flurry of innovation in the PPE sector. As users become more engaged with workplace PPE requirements, the demands placed on the industry will only increase. Equipment ranges will expand to accommodate new specifications and work environments, resulting in greater choice and a higher quality of products for end users.

While compliance should always be the first consideration when selecting PPE, suitability and user experience should always be the second. Different industries and different work environments require specific things from their work wear and this should be addressed by individuals in charge of health and safety and procurement. Each situation is different, so if for example users spend a large proportion of time in a hot working environment, the PPE available should reflect that. The need for ease of use and comfort should not be forgotten about.

The new EU PPE Regulation is set to bring about positive changes for the industry as a whole. Consistency and transparency across the whole supply chain will be beneficial for end users and health and safety officers alike, allowing for higher standards and better PPE provision in the workplace. However, the usual message still applies: eliminating hazards is always the best option. Having appropriate PPE is crucial in creating safe working environments, but if steps can be made to render it unnecessary, this will always be the best option.