What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Article L. 230-2 of the Labor Code makes employers responsible for employee safety. This involves collective and individual protection. The PPE market includes various equipment whose precautions for use are governed by law.

What does PPE mean according to the Labor Code?

PPE refers to equipment for body protection used against the risks of certain professional activities. The PPE market classifies them according to risk. The list of PPE required also depends on the domain. There are hard hats and fluorescent clothing for high visibility. Wearing gloves is necessary for skin exposure: dirty work, chemicals, etc. Employees exposed to toxic inhalations, loud noises, radiation and others require appropriate PPE.

What is the list of basic PPE?

Manufacturers provide specific cases for wearing PPE:

• Eye protection goggles;
• Hearing protection like earplugs against noise;
• Respiratory protection masks to prevent lung damage;
• Chemical resistant gloves;
• Safety shoes;
• Protective clothing for the whole body;
• Harness against falls from height;
• Etc

Sometimes there are several risks that can affect employees. The use of different PPE is then essential.

In which cases is wearing safety PPE mandatory?

Wearing PPE is mandatory when existing collective protection is insufficient. The employer who neglects the protection of employees incurs a fine according to Article L.263-2 of the Labor Code.

It is the hygiene committee that generally studies the risks to which employees are exposed. The objective is to prevent an accident or any health problem caused by work.

What are the three classes of personal protection in the workplace and what is their meaning according to the law?

Employees exposed to risks, as provided for in the Labor Code, need suitable protective equipment. personal protective equipment is categorized into three classes in the PPE market.

• Class I concerns protection against minor risks: sun protection glasses, washing-up or gardening gloves and raincoats.
• Class II is for personal protective equipment against major risks. The activities then require the wearing of specific PPE: helmets, gloves, boots, welding hoods, visors, etc.
• Class II includes equipment to protect against irreversible or even fatal damage such as falls from a height. These include, among others, safety harnesses, respiratory protection mask and protection against electricity.

What does PPE actually mean and what is the standard?

The regulations require employers to take internal protective measures such as the provision of PPE. This involves choosing standardized equipment. The meaning of the CE marking is compliance with the requirements of European regulations. It is mandatory for wearing class II and III PPE.

The material is also an essential point in the choice of suitable personal protective equipment. Manufacturers also use materials suitable for each task. The employer must therefore give priority to the provision of quality equipment.

What does the regulation say about PPE or the use of a means of protection?

According to the Labor Code, the employer must provide employees with PPE adapted to the risks. He is also required to take organizational measures:

• Use of PPE according to manufacturers' instructions through appropriate training;
• Compliance with applicable technical rules, guarantee of safe operating processes;
• Provision of PPE in a state of conformity;
• Replacement after expiry date;
• Reminder of the precautions for use and storage instructions via the internal regulations.