Personal protective equipment that is worn or held to protect against one or more hazards or risks in your workplace or work environment, including essential interchangeable parts and connections. The level of protection provided by the PPE used must enable the employee to perform tasks, activities, and work safely and in good health. More information and our knowledge base article.

If the source control measures, collective measures, or organizational measures do not sufficiently reduce the residual risk, the employer must provide PPE free of charge in sufficient quantities and in the correct sizes. For work in the chemical industry (risk of splashes, inhalation of vapors, or skin contact), noise (˃85 dB(A)), in construction (safety helmet), and in healthcare (protection against blood, bodily fluids, or viruses), employees are required to wear this PPE while working.

A set of joint written agreements that systematically ensure the proper selection, use, maintenance, and inspection of PPE to promote safe and healthy working conditions.
This approach provides clarity and fosters cooperation.
It allows for continued efficiency and enables employees to hold one another accountable for proper use and behavior.
This agreement offers flexibility to adapt the arrangements to changing circumstances.
It is part of your workplace conditions policy and aligns with your occupational health strategy.

The employer is responsible for conducting a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E).
The occupational risks (workplace and surroundings) are identified in the RI&E, with appropriate weighting of risks associated with the tasks/activities and the substances/products used in the work.
Action and improvement measures are outlined in the Risk Reduction Plan (action plan).
Addressing the source of the risk always takes priority, followed by collective and individual measures.
The use of personal protective equipment is the last resort.

Yes. The CE marking and EU Declaration of Conformity are mandatory under EU Regulation 2016/425. For Category III (high-risk) PPE, an even more rigorous conformity assessment by an external authorized certification body (Notified Body) is required. Category III PPE bears a CE marking with a four-digit number.
This is because this PPE is subject to mandatory EC type approval.
This mandatory number for Category III PPE identifies the external certification body (Notified Body) that performed the inspection and assessment and certifies that the product complies with this highest risk category (Category III). The four-digit Notified Body number is located next to the CE marking.

Category I PPE:
Used when the risk of injury is particularly low and does not result in permanent injury.
This category includes PPE that provides basic protection.
If the protection proves insufficient, only minor and superficial injuries may occur.
No specific prior knowledge is required to wear this equipment.
Examples include disposable gloves, sunglasses, or a raincoat.
This PPE does bear a CE mark.
The manufacturer is required to maintain a technical file for the products for 10 years.

Category II PPE:
Provides protection against normal risks that may be serious but are not life-threatening.
The most commonly used personal protective equipment falls under Category II.
Training, information, and instruction are required regarding proper use, maintenance, and storage.
Examples include safety glasses, safety shoes, safety helmets, and work clothing.
These products require EC type approval by a Notified Body.
The manufacturer is required to maintain a technical file for the products and to retain the type approval documentation for each product for 10 years.

Category III PPE:
Provides protection against high risks.
This PPE must provide protection against hazards that can cause serious and irreversible damage to health or be fatal.
Category III PPE imposes additional requirements, in addition to those already specified for Category III, namely:
1: PPE must be manufactured under an EC-recognized quality assurance system.
2: PPE must be tested and certified by a recognized testing body.
3: Category III PPE is subject to an annual quality control inspection of the manufacturing process.
Examples include respiratory protection equipment, protection against chemicals, and radiation protection.

Users must be familiar with the risks, must ensure they select the correct PPE and size, and must know how to use it and the limits of the protection it provides.
Furthermore, you must know how to maintain, clean, and store the PPE, when to replace it, and be familiar with the possibility of using multiple pieces of PPE simultaneously.
This can be achieved by using: concise language without jargon, aids such as photos and videos,
having the user practice beforehand, providing explanations, and reinforcing the information through repetition.

This is the employer's responsibility.
The employee must carefully follow the instructions regarding proper use, storage, and waste management.

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