Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate a health and safety risk in the workplace. Control measures may include PPE as an interim or last resort or as back-up.
Risk management
PPE is designed to help keep you safe on the job. When considering the hierarchy of controls PPE is last line of defence after other controls to eliminate or minimise the hazard have been put in place. Wearing PPE relies on human behaviour and supervision and used on their own tend to be least effective in minimising risks. You should not rely on just PPE to control risk in the workplace.
Before identifying PPE which may be used in conjunction with other controls, you must complete a risk assessment.
Selection and use of PPE
- Selected to minimise risk to health and safety, including by ensuring equipment is:
- Suitable for the nature of the work or hazard
- A suitable size and fit for the individual who is required to use it and that it is reasonably comfortable.
- Maintained, repaired or replaced, which includes ensuring the equipment is:
- Clean and hygienic
- In good working order.
- Used or worn by the worker, so far as is reasonably practical.
More information
Contact us if you need further help.
The following websites should also be referred to:
Document Control
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: Sep 2020
Next Review: Sep 2023
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing