Published January 2026 (replaces ‘Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment’ from July 2015).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment specifically designed to protect the user against basic health and safety risks whilst at work. For a typical geo-engineer this will include safety helmet, safety footwear, hi-visibility clothing, gloves, hearing protection and eye protection. Other specialist PPE may also be required depending on the site classification and reference should be made to any site-specific risk assessments or site rules.

It is commonly stated that ’PPE should only be used as a last resort when other risks to health and safety cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled in other ways’. Although this is true, the often mandatory use of PPE can sometimes make it hard to identify its use as a last resort, as it often used to complement other control measures which aren’t 100% effective, such as dust suppression, traffic management, etc.

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 2022 mandates that that PPE is provided to all employees and also Limb (b) workers (i.e. labour only subcontractors employed under your RAMS) free of charge if a risk assessment shows it is needed. All PPE must be properly assessed before use to make sure it is fit for purpose. PPE should also be maintained and stored properly and provided with instructions on how to use it safely and correctly by workers by means of training and instruction.