Good Morning All, Just looking for a bit of advice... We are receiving a high number of complaints about bugs on site, horseflies etc. and people are now asking if we are able to supply an insect repellant. I was wondering what people's thoughts were about supplying this to employees? I have had a look about but cant find anything to you can't supply. Any advice will be appreciated

Are you asking whether it should be supplied as PPE or just out of goodwill? Either way my initial reaction is - no. It's the thin end of the wedge. Unless there are unusual circumstances I would say workers need to protect themselves with insect repellent if they so choose. I dare say there will be others who disagree. It's a bit like the old chestnut of whether sun screen should be provided as PPE.

Given we are all individuals with differing tolerances to irritants, allergens and religious observations how would you choose which product(s) to supply? The most common active DEET is an irritant - especially on broken skin as I recently found out. Regarding sun creams they now carry warnings about the preservatives they contain as some members of the population suffer allergic reaction to even trace amounts of the active substance - problem is some people are unaware they have or are developing an intolerance. Long sleeves, long trousers, peaked hat - if they want anything else they are free to use their own. School suggests children bring sun cream for outdoor activity (if we ever see the sun again) but will not provide it in case of allergic response

It may be a good idea to ask your pest control company for advise.

Why would you supply sun cream, they just buy thier own if they know they are working outside.

We regularly expose our folks to both sun and insects, including mosquitoes, who potentially have the malaria parasite. As part of our RA protection from solar radiation, incl. the use of sunscreen AND protection from insect bites, incl. the use of repellent, are ONE item of controls. As such, we class both as PPE. But we would not buy it for our employees, instead we educate them on suitability criteria of the lotions/sprays, ask them to buy it themselves and claim it back on expenses. We would treat both sunburn & the development of malaria as work related conditions.

Interesting thread, well in my opinion, if there are problems with regards insect bites (continual) then there is a potential hazard in itself. Especially if the workforce is working at height or driving. Of course the work area has to be reviewed and re-assessed, insect repellent may not be the answer to eradicate the problem or mitigate the biting. For those individuals that feel it is not necessary to supply insect repellent and it is down to the operatives working in the area to supply their own, as they working outside. Well as an employer, do I not have a duty of care to ensure that all risks are mitigated. The key here is to establish if there is a nest / habitat in the area, that needs re-housing (removing). Understand, 100% about the supply of sun protection cream and insect repellent. However, if I have put my employees to work in the sun or in an area that has insects are biting them, are a majority of you stating that they can supply it themselves. This seems a bit like saying, ok no need for wet weather equipment / drying facilities, although it is raining on site. It is down to the employee to pay for it, as they decided to work outdoors. If employer, puts an employee in to a position of work with risk they should, so far as reasonably possible eliminate those risks, this using every means necessary. If means supplying sunblock or another creams, then so be it. But in this circumstance, the area has to assessed and see if the removal of the hazard can be undertaken firstly.

From the list of harmonised standards that sit under the PPE Directive four directly relate to eye and or face protection covering sun glare filters, sun glasses and filters for direct observation. Sun creams are defined as Cosmetic Products (EC 1223/2009) Insect repellents are covered by the Biocidal Products Regulations (EU 528/2012)

From HSE's FAQ page on non-ionising radiation: There is no legal obligation for employers to provide suncream or sunglasses for outdoor workers. The information in HSE’s leaflets encourages employers of outdoor workers to include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training and advises workers to keep covered up during the summer months. Haven't found anything similar on insect repellent yet.

No your not legally obliged to protect them, you can issue advice, ensuring they have long sleeves, a hat, suncream or block, not work during the hottest times in direct sunlight etc. There is nothing in law that states you have to give them anything. Even the HSE will ask what does the R/A say. Run off the free leaflet from the HSE and issue it, use it as a tool box talk etc. and explain that they should follow the advice.