I am assisting a 3rd level college, I am reviewing the Topic PPE. Firstly if the college has a number of workshops, where Safety Shoes, Overalls, Protective Gloves, Safety Goggles, is worn what is reasonable as regards the FREQUENCY of replacing these items. I have set up a PPE Register (which they did not have before ). As this is a teaching environment and the workshops would operate 4 hours a day adverage ( that it is not a heavy industrial environment, my question is what would be considered reasonable as regards the freqency of purchasing new protective clothing and items to be worn by staff. My research here is that there may be individuals requesting items very frequently ( and as there was no record of items that had been signed out etc , there is an indication that there may be certain individuals taking advantage of no tracking system or previous record. It has been said that certain staff may use the PPE for work outside the college. If under the PPE regulations, employees are required to reasonably use maintain, care and store PPE. What would be reasonable as regards the frequency of purchasing such equipment in this environment by the employer. The Employer is compliant and providing all necessary PPE to its staff. I would be so happy and grateful to hear your views on this Topic.

Exchange system policy, very good idea. Than you Judex. Killeen

Killeen I too work in a college and in the past staff ordered replacement PPE every year when they ordered for new students, the difference being that staff PPE comes out the H&S budget. Due to the nature of courses some staff had fairly expensive gear and like you mentioned had other jobs outside the college where they likely used the kit we supplied. We have now implemented a register and all staff sign for gear when issued and is replaced when it is no longer doing the job or is damaged, not every year as a matter of course

In a company I worked for, they held a record of all P.P.E. issued to an individual, replacements were (as said previously), a one for one replacement (or better version). If staff wished to use their own bought P.P.E. that was fine so long as it came up to the required standard. As for selling safety boots - not being able to produce the signed out property was an seen as incident on their record, you were allowed 3 incidents (no matter what it was) and then it was instant dismissal, but you could still re-apply for your old job. Heavy gloves were often replaced fortnightly due to them coming into contact with battery acid. Checks of P.P.E. were conducted on all staff prior to them going on leave (usually 3-4 times a year) and those items left in a secured area.

Hi Killeen I'm with Phil on this PPE should in my view be replaced as is required not because of frequency or budgets dictate. I also do a register and replace old for new as required. However I do go one step further as we have a policy which all employees sign to say they have read, which states that PPE can only be used on company business. It is very much discouraged to use it back and forth to work or for any other activity such as using your boots down on the allotment? They all have individual lockers which are dry and safe so we encourage them to keep all PPE in them when not in use. I will say that I agree about cheap PPE it is not always being cheap especially boots and driving. The constant flexing of the sole reduces the life of a cheap boot considerably plus comfort should always be second on the list after the required standard has been selected, if you want compliance. MG