Perhaps we are over reliant on RPE. If we reviewed our COSHH assessments we might find that if we apply the hierarchy of controls properly we will find that we don’t need to use some much RPE.

The simple fact is that much of our RPE comes from China and of course they were hit first by the outbreak and they have (not surprisingly) taken first dibs on anything that is being produced. If anything comes into this country then the health sector will take priority.

Not only will supply be a problem but the efficacy of materials being purchased.

On the EU reporting system last week Belgium identified masks whose measured performance was up to less than 50% of the standard requirement

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumers_safety/safety_products/rapex/alerts/?event=main.immediatlyPublishedNotifications

Let's keep in mind that from a regulatory (and practical) point of view, particularly for chemical and biological hazards (COSHH) protection by PPE is a last resort (see PPE regulations). With certain exceptions we should only rely on PPE when we have investigated and, where practical, implemented technical and organisational measures to adequate control exposure. Our aim should be to control the  process rather than the person. All PPE fails to danger, as we have seen in the COVID-19 situation, whereas with technical/engineering controls we can often make these fail-to-safe. 

How often do I see FFP3 masks being worn to protect against dust that is a skin sensitiser? What about the rest of the face and head, areas where skin is particularly sensitive?

My 'favourite'(??) area of PPE is the provision of gloves for chemical protection. All too often a proper examination indicates that the employer, and wearer, are not getting the level of protection they imagine. Relying on manufacturers' published performance data is a route to failure as these frequently do not match what will be obtained in practice. Even the EN standard for permeation testing is flawed as it tests gloves at the wrong temperature. So how does one decide which glove and for how long it will protect the wearer? How many glove users are adequately trained on how to remove chemical protective PPE? How many contaminate their hands through contact with the contaminated external surface of the PPE? In one study, thout training it was 100%!