Personal Protective Equipment

ISO 45001:2018 Clauses 8.1.2 & 8.1.4 · PPE at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022) · PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 retained — Selection, issue, use and maintenance of PPE / RPE

Procedure overview

A M Water Services treats Personal Protective Equipment as a last-resort control under the hierarchy of risk control — only after elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls have been considered or applied. PPE / RPE need is identified at risk assessment (per SOP 3.1) and through specific assessments (PPE Risk Assessment, COSHH Assessment per SOP 8.5). The Site Supervisor selects suitable PPE / RPE that bears UKCA / CE marking, raises a Purchase Order to an approved supplier (per SOP 5.3), issues PPE/RPE to individuals, records the issue on the PPE/RPE Issue Register, and obtains a signed receipt. Training in correct use is provided to every operative (per SOP 4.2). RPE (face masks) are inspected monthly by a competent person on the RPE Inspection Form. Damaged, lost, worn-out or out-of-date PPE/RPE is reported, replaced, and the register updated. Records are retained per SOP 4.7.

PPE / RPE — Process Flow

Site Supervisor & HSQE Consultant

Jason May
Sean Ashton

Select & Procure

PPE / RPE identified at risk assessment as last-resort protection

PPE Risk Assessment

Select suitable PPE / RPE; consult approved supplier or Sean Ashton if in doubt; UKCA / CE mark required

Raise Purchase Order to approved PPE supplier (per SOP 5.3)

Approved PPE Supplier

External

Deliver

Deliver ordered PPE / RPE to requested location, in accordance with PO and contract

Site Supervisor & Operatives

Jason May
Team Leaders · Operatives

Issue, Use, Inspect & Replace

Issue PPE / RPE to individuals; record on PPE/RPE Issue Register; obtain receipt signature

PPE/RPE Issue Register

Provide instruction and training in correct use of PPE / RPE; ensure operative is fully conversant

SOP 4.2 Competencies & Training

Provide suitable storage facilities for PPE / RPE

Operative uses PPE / RPE per instructions and RAMS; stores in facilities provided when not in use

Operative cleans, inspects and maintains PPE / RPE to keep it fit for purpose

Site Supervisor monitors and enforces PPE / RPE use on site

Operative reports lost, worn-out, damaged, out-of-date or unsuitable PPE / RPE for replacement

Re-issue replacement PPE / RPE; update PPE/RPE Issue Register

Competent person inspects RPE / face masks monthly; record on RPE Inspection Form

RPE Inspection Form

Retain all records per SOP 4.7

SOP 4.7 Control of Records

Process / Activity

Document / Cross-reference

Replace / Continue

PPE selection — standards and AMWS minimum specification

Every item of PPE / RPE issued by AMWS must bear UKCA or CE marking and conform to the relevant harmonised standard. Where a standard offers performance grades (e.g. cut resistance levels), the Site Supervisor selects the grade appropriate to the risk identified at assessment, not the lowest grade.

PPE category	AMWS minimum standard	Notes
Head protection	EN 397 (industrial helmet) or EN 12492 (with chin strap, work at height)	5-year shelf life from manufacture; replace after impact
Eye protection	EN 166 1B (medium impact) standard; EN 166 1F (low impact) for general use	Anti-fog, integrated side shields; over-glasses available
Hearing protection	EN 352-1 (earmuffs) / EN 352-2 (earplugs)	SNR matched to noise exposure per `SOP 8.9`
Respiratory (RPE)	EN 149 (FFP3 disposable) for asbestos / silica dust; EN 14387 with appropriate filter for vapour / gas	Face-fit tested per HSE guidance; clean-shaven users only for tight-fitting RPE
Hand protection	EN 388 (mechanical risk — cut resistance level appropriate to task); EN 374 (chemical resistance per COSHH assessment)	Disposable nitrile for hygiene; cut-resistant for pipework
High-visibility clothing	EN ISO 20471 Class 2 minimum; Class 3 for highway working	Replace when colour fades or stained beyond cleaning; orange for road, yellow for site
Foot protection	EN ISO 20345 S3 (toe protection 200J + midsole + water resistance)	Replace when sole tread depth < 3 mm or upper damaged
Coveralls / FR clothing	EN ISO 13688 base; EN ISO 11611 FR for hot works; Type 5/6 chemical for asbestos / contaminated ground	Replace if damaged or contaminated
Fall protection harness	EN 361 full body harness; EN 354 lanyard with EN 355 shock absorber	Inspected before use, formal inspection 6-monthly, retired after fall arrest event

RPE used for COSHH-controlled substances (asbestos per SOP 8.14; respirable silica) requires face-fit testing on the specific make/model the operative uses, repeated when facial appearance changes (weight gain/loss, dental work, beard growth). Beard growth disqualifies tight-fitting RPE; powered air respirators (PAPR) are the alternative.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE / RPE — Process Flow

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