The hierarchy of control always puts PPE or personal control measures as the last resort. The fact that they make head protection mandatory in this area does not, in my opinion, remove the need to apply the hierarchy and an engineering/admin control such as tape or warning signs takes precedence. Eliminate Substitute Control Protect You can find the wording in Schedule 1 to the Management of Health and Safety At Work Regulations entitled "General Principles of Prevention". Then you have to ask - whose plant room is it? Theirs or yours? If it's theirs, advise them what needs to be done in writing and walk away. If it's yours, why are you even arguing?

There is so much to be said here I can't help feeling I am falling victim to another troll... CdC what is your role and what if any education have you had in h&s?. ppe regs 4.1... Other protective measures take priority over ppe. Hazard warning tape may ALSO be required u der the safety signs and signals regs... But wouldn't prevent injury in my experience. Good engineering would avoid or eliminate low pipes and other obstructions. What is the contractor doing? Good manageneme t controls would reduce or eliminate people needing to be in the hazard zone. Cushioned pipe wrap would reduce risk of injury where hi viz tape won't, but is not covered by signs and signals regs.... And other stuff...

Cdc - Thanks for getting back in this thread - and apologies for the tone of my response. We have in the past suffered from a number of 'provocative' posters on this forum who seemed to to delight in asking questions which were intended to cause apoplexy. I'm very sorry for misreading the tone of your query although I trust the majority of my own response (PPE, Safety Signs, Engineering design, management controls and physical protection) shows I am always willing to offer help and assistance to any genuine queries. I hope you are able to persuade your contractors accordingly.

I agree with Lojikglos, Hilary and everyone else who has said that PPE is the last control. I hate it when people ask things like that of us and it makes you question what you know by trying to call your bluff, Cdc you are not alone in this it happens to me all the time with site managers mostly. Stick by your guns, you hit the nail on the head when you said, "We argued that this doesn't follow the hierarchy of hazard controls, I.e. minimize entry, redesign the pipes, etc. " This is what I think this forum is great for, you can get the support you need when others are being difficult! Let us know what this contractor comes back with, I am intrigued to hear more!