PPM (Personal Protection Means)

Frequently Asked Questions

When should an employer put PPM at the disposal of his employees?
Who is paying for the PPM?
In what way should the PPM be used?
Is the employee allowed to take his PPM home?
Who shall ensure cleaning and repair of the PPM?

When should an employer put PPM at the disposal of his employees?
The employer is obliged to detect and control the risks related to the work (following the advice of the prevention consultant/occupational physician and the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work). Whenever the risks cannot be excluded by taking measures in the field of labour organisation or collective technical protection means, PPM should be put available in order to control any residual risks to a maximum.

Personal Protection Means should always have a CE mark and be provided with guidelines for use.

Who is paying for the PPM?
The employer will pay any expenses to buy and maintain the PPM. (top)

In what way should the PPM be used?
The PPM may only be used for the purpose they are intended for and according to the instructions of the manufacturer. The employer shall ascertain that this is done. The employer shall provide the employees with all the information regarding the use of the PPM.

In principle, PPM are intended for being used by one single person only. Only after hygienic cleaning, a PPM may be used by more than one person. (top)

Is the employee allowed to take his PPM home?
No, in principle the employee cannot take his PPM home.

This rules does not apply to employees who:

form part of travelling teams or
are employed in faraway places (far from the enterprise they work in).

And in as far as the work these employees do, does not form a risk of contamination or infection. (top)

Who shall ensure cleaning and repair of the PPM?
The employer is responsible for the maintenance, cleaning, disinfecting, repair and on time replacement of the PPM. The employer shall take all measures to provide the employees with sufficient information and instructions regarding the correct use of the PPM. (top)

For any further information, please contact your prevention consultant-occupational physician or your regional IDEWE-IBEVE secretariat.