Employees are always loosing their PPE, we issue replacements, sometimes we issue 3 or 4 replacements to the same person, I would like to know can we charge employees for PPE if they constantly keep loosing them

Hello Terry, we had a similar problem and did the following; We consulted the employees regarding the complete disregard that some of them had to essential equipment (PPE & RPE) we explained that the cost of these items were the responsibility of the employer but the employee has a duty to look after this equipment. We agreed on a system where essential equipment is issued to each person who signs for it, we agreed an exchange system where damaged or worn items are exchanged for replacements via the works supervisors who in turn exchanges from the main stores. We then agreed to issue PPE & RPE upon request but to monitor the issue to each person to see who the worst offenders were, these people were then interviewed if the pattern was deemed to be abusive They were given the choice of either a disciplinary hearing ( three strikes and your out) or they can pay for the equipment that they have stolen, vandalised, lost etc at cost It has cut the cost of essential equipment by roughly 20 % over the last two years I must stress that all of this was done with the agreement of the work force and is not a get out clause from the employers duty to provide all equipment that is required to undertake works in a safe and proper manner