Posted By Alan Haynes I'd suggest its done before they need to use it!

Posted By Dave Merchant PUWER.8(1) : "Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have available to them adequate health and safety information and, where appropriate, written instructions pertaining to the use of the work equipment." and PUWER.9(1) : "Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken." So, the answer is: if you need training or user instructions they have to be provided with or before first use of the equipment (and that includes PPE). There cannot be a 'window' between the two, or it would cause someone to exist who breaks the above clauses. The past tense "have received" in 9(1) is intentional.