Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): are they obligations of the employer?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are devices or means that protect workers against risks that may threaten their safety or health at work. According to the Law on Occupational Risk Prevention (LPRL), the employer is obliged to provide the necessary PPE when the risks cannot be avoided or sufficiently minimized by other means. However, workers also have certain obligations in relation to PPE. 

Obligations of the worker and the employer in the use of PPE

The proper use of PPE involves both the employer and the workers, who have shared responsibilities in this process.

Obligations of companies with regard to PPE

Companies have various legal obligations in relation to PPE to ensure the effective protection of their employees. These obligations are summarized in the following key points:

• Risk assessment and determination of PPE: The first step for any company is to identify the risks in the workplace and determine what PPE is needed for each job.
• Provision of PPE free of charge: Companies must provide their employees with PPE free of charge, ensuring that it is suitable for the specific risks of each task.
• Maintenance and renewal of PPE: The company must ensure that equipment is maintained in good condition, periodically reviewing its functionality and replacing it when it is no longer effective.
• Education and training: Employees should be trained on how to properly use PPE. This training should be continuous and updated as necessary.
• Supervision of the use of PPE: Companies are obliged to supervise the correct use of PPE, ensuring that employees use it properly at all times.
• Record of PPE delivery: Some regulations require companies to keep a detailed record of PPE delivery, documenting what equipment has been provided to each worker and on what date.

Obligations of workers with PPE

Workers also have responsibilities regarding the use and care of PPE. These obligations are intended to ensure that the equipment performs its function effectively and that the worker remains protected throughout the workday.

Among the obligations of the workers are:

• Correct use of PPE: Workers must employ PPE according to the instructions provided by the employer, using it in all situations where it is necessary.
• Care and maintenance of PPE: Although the technical maintenance of PPE is the responsibility of the company, workers have the obligation to keep them in good condition, cleaning them and storing them properly when they are not in use.
• Reporting defects: If a worker notices that PPE is defective or damaged, he or she should immediately inform the employer so that it can be repaired or replaced. Working with defective PPE puts the employee's health and that of co-workers at risk.
• Follow training: Workers must attend training provided by the company and apply the knowledge acquired in the use of PPE.

When is it mandatory to provide PPE to workers?

The provision of PPE to workers is mandatory in any situation in which the occupational risk assessment determines that there are risks to the health or safety of the worker, and it is not possible to eliminate these risks through other preventive measures.

Article 17 of the LPRL establishes that PPE must be used when risks cannot be avoided or reduced to safe levels by other means, such as changes in work organization or the implementation of collective protections. Some examples of situations where the use of PPE is mandatory include:

• Work at heights: The use of harnesses and helmets is required.
• Chemical exposure: Gloves, goggles and protective clothing should be worn.
• Work in noisy environments: Hearing protectors should be worn.
• Handling heavy objects: The use of safety shoes and gloves is essential.

Importance of Occupational Risk Assessment

Occupational risk assessment is the cornerstone of the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases. It consists of identifying hazards in the work environment and analyzing their severity in order to implement the necessary corrective measures.

A proper risk assessment allows:

• Identify the specific hazards of each job.
• Prevent accidents and occupational diseases.
• Establish effective control measures and preventive strategies.
• Comply with labor safety regulations, avoiding sanctions and legal liabilities.
• Promote a safe work environment, improving employee productivity and well-being.

Occupational risk prevention management

Occupational risk prevention management encompasses a set of actions aimed at protecting workers from the risks associated with their work activity. This includes the correct implementation of preventive measures, continuous training and monitoring of compliance with safety regulations.

An essential aspect of this management is planning, which involves:

• Risk identification and analysis.
• Definition of preventive measures, both collective and individual (PPE).
• Training and sensitization of workers.
• Control and follow-up of the implementation of the measures.
• Periodic review of measures to adapt them to changes in the work environment.

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Dokify facilitates the integrated management of Personal Protective Equipment and occupational risk prevention. With Dokify, companies can efficiently manage the delivery and supervision of PPE, organize the necessary training for workers and keep detailed control of equipment maintenance and replacement.

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