The TUC have published a Report which shows that an astonishing 1 in 5 workers are being forced to pay for their own Protective Equipment out of their own pockets.
The PPE Regulations are designed to protect employees from injuring themselves at work. The Regulations clearly state that the employer “must” provide protective equipment to their employees as a matter of law. Indeed the law provides that the equipment is maintained (including replaced or cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair, however, it transpires that employees are doing most of the maintenance themselves.
These measures being taken by employers is illegal and will only lead to more injuries arising out of accidents at work. The equipment should be provided by law to ensure that workers are protected from injury or disease.
The figures come from the Survey commissioned by the TUC. The Survey shows that the most common form of protection purchased by workers is footwear with gloves following closely behind that. These measures are illegal and should be stopped. They come at a time when the present Government are cutting back on the number of HSE Inspectors.
