All employers are legally required to provide and pay for all employees Personal Protective Equipment, PPE. Many companies are guilty of flouting this law - putting their employees safety at risk and in turn losing money from staff sick leave and legal action.

Protectall (London) Ltd asks Steve Jennings ACII, Branch Manager, Birmingham, Davies Group Limited about managing staff PPE.

PPE covers a wide range of clothing and equipment that can be worn by a person at work to protect them from one or more risks to their health and safety. PPE can include; eye protection, safety helmets, hi-vi vests or jackets, gloves or safety footwear.

Network Rail PPE Requirements:

Basic PPE

All persons on or near the line and on the line side shall wear at least the following PPE:

• High visibility upper body clothing with reflective tape which complies with BS EN 471: 2003 class 2 and Railway Group Standard GO/RT3279.
• High visibility lower body clothing to BS EN 471:2003 class 1 and Railway Group Standard GO/RT3279.
• A safety helmet which complies with BS EN 397: 1995.
• Safety footwear which complies with BS EN ISO 20345: 2004, provides support to the ankle, includes mid-sole protection and has a protective toe cap. Where used, steel or other conductive toe caps shall be covered.