RPE

Regulations and responsibilities of the Employer

As an employer, you have a legal responsibility under all the Regulations below to control substances hazardous to health in your workplace, and to prevent and adequately control your employees’ exposure to those substances. Provision of RPE may be necessary as part of your control regime.

1. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to provide and maintain a safe working environment, so far as is reasonably practicable. They set out the basic requirements for you to follow.

2. In addition to the COSHH Regulations 2002, RPE may need to be used to satisfy requirements in the following pieces of legislation. You will need to consider whether any of these Regulations apply to you and comply with any specific requirements they contain on RPE:

  • Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012;
  • Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002;
  • Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999;
  • Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.

3. Under the law, RPE is the last line of protection. Remember, RPE can protect only the wearer and if it is used incorrectly, or is poorly maintained, it is unlikely to provide the required protection.

4. These Regulations are supported by Approved Codes of Practice. ACOPs give practical guidance on compliance and have a special status in law. If you are prosecuted for a breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the code, you will need to show that you have complied with the law in some other way or a court will find you at fault.

For RPE use that is not covered by any of the above Regulations, employers and employees have duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Employer's Responsibility

Employers are responsible for implementing and managing RPE selection and use, or delegating that responsibility to another trained person.

Employers should make sure the selected RPE is of the right size and can correctly fit the wearer. For tight-fitting facepieces the initial selection should include a fit test.

In addition, you must ensure that reusable RPE undergoes thorough examination and, where appropriate, testing at suitable intervals. This should be monthly, or every three months if used less frequently. This will not only make sure the RPE protects the wearer but will also extend the life of the equipment and so maximise your investment. 

You should record RPE examinations and tests – and, where appropriate, any repairs made – and retain them for at least five years. The records will help to keep track of the equipment’s maintenance.

You should also ensure those wearing RPE follow the measures you put in place. These are some of the key factors for users of RPE to remember:

  • Users of tight-fitting facepieces should have passed a fit test for the particular RPE device they are using.
  • Hair, spectacles or other PPE can break the seal on tight-fitting facepieces, allowing the user to breathe in hazardous substances.
  • Valves on reusable RPE need to be maintained and replaced.
  • Users should check their RPE every time they use it – this is known as a ‘preuse check’.

Pre-use Check

The check will cover a variety of things, dependent on the type of RPE, so users should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Common things to look out for include making sure that:

  • the nose bridge on disposable RPE is adjusted to ensure a proper seal;
  • all the straps are used;
  • any hoses are connected properly;
  • battery-powered RPE is fully charged.

RPE at work should:

  • adequately control inhalation exposure to provide the wearer with effective protection;
  • be suitable for the intended use;
  • be CE-marked* or of an approved type/standard approved by HSE;
  • be used by properly trained people who are supervised;
  • be properly stored, cleaned and checked regularly to ensure it remains effective.

*CE marking does not indicate that an RPE device is automatically adequate and suitable for use in your workplace. It is your responsibility to select the correct RPE to meet your specific requirements.

Powered respirators Dos and Don'ts

Dos:

  • Always ensure the respirator is in good working order before putting it on, even when new.
  • Always use all the straps provided, making sure they are correctly positioned and adjusted.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Always check the fan is providing enough airflow before you use the device.
  • Always fit identical filters to a multi-filter unit.
  • Always change all the filters on a multi-filter unit together.
  • Always clean and store the RPE properly, paying special attention to the valves.
  • Change filters as instructed by the manufacturer.
  • Ensure the other PPE you need to wear is compatible with the respirator.

Don'ts

  • Never use in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
  • Never use particle-only filters against gas/vapour, or gas/vapour-only filters against particulates.
  • Never use if dirty, damaged or incomplete, or if not providing enough air.
  • Never keep working if the fan stops or the flow rate falls. Leave the work area immediately.