Hi everyone, I work for a waste management company and we run everything from tiny one-man civic amenity sites right upto large 150 person recycling facilities. This diversification has happened quite rapidly over the last few years and as such there are a few areas which have slipped slightly. One of which is specification of PPE. We currently allow the 'designated manager' of each site to order their employees PPE as and when required (all from one reputable supplier). This has meant there is very little consistency across sites and a concern that unsuitable PPE is being issued. As such, I'm looking at the situation and my philosophy is to have a very limited selection i.e. one type of lace up boot, one type of shoe, one wellington, one glove (for each task) etc. I'm interested to know how other organisation control PPE issuing and specs. Many thanks in advance...

A very limited selection will produce problems in fit & feel, excuses not to use and resentment. Give clear minimum specs based on risk assessment and specified controls for managers to buy to, rather than an actual brand, colour, style and confirm via audits that the specs are being adhered to.

Thanks for the input everyone. Perhaps overlooked the fact that if people feel they've chosen the PPE themselves then they are more likely to wear it. I think there is a middle ground, provide a list of acceptable PPE but make it relatively broad. thanks all.

We have a document that defines a 'basic PPE kit' which sets out defined standards for the basic kit everyone gets. Most items have a requirement and some have a recommendation. For example, for general low energy eye-protection we require EN166 1F(T) but recommend KN as well. The basic kit list actually has a few variants (there's a different one for those in the Rail Group than in the Highways Group, for example - different spec and colour hi-vis among other things). The basic list includes one or two recommended specifics for each item, with the order codes for our normal supplier. Site managers can buy whatever they like, as long as it meets the requirement spec. They get no bonus or performance recognition for spending less than the price of the recommended specific item from the normal supplier. They mostly buy the recommended item from the normal supplier, because that's the path of least effort for them. They don't get hassled if they spend a bit more (but there's no rules about what 'a bit' actually is). Any particular task over-rides the basic list with a RA. So, for example: our most basic glove is for surveyors on construction sites, not doing any manual handling, but climbing ladders and so on, dexterity is quite important. Our schedule requires EN388 2.1.2.1, we recommend a particular Ansell glove (that actually provides 3.1.2.1) and the schedule provides the order code and price for that glove in each size from our supplier. Site managers could buy anything, but they almost invariably buy that Ansell glove. Boots are the one exception - we don't have a recommended item, we allow each employee to chose what they want subject to a spec (EN345 S3) and a budget (fairly generous - a decent choice).