Who is entitled to PPE?

Who is entitled to PPE?

Every employee who is exposed to risks in the performance of their work that cannot be eliminated in any other way is entitled to personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is provided based on a risk assessment at the workplace – regardless of the type of contract or job position.

Specifically, the following are entitled to protective equipment:

• Employees in an employment relationship (including agreements to perform work or work activities, if the nature of the work requires it)

• Self-employed persons (own-account workers) – if they perform work in an environment with health or safety risks (e.g. on a construction site)
• Agency workers who perform work for another employer – PPE is provided to them by the person for whom they actually perform their work
• Interns, pupils, students – if they participate in practical training or professional practice in a risky environment

The employer is obliged to:
• Provide PPE free of charge if the work is associated with risks
• Determine the type and quantity of PPE according to the nature of the activity performed
• Provide training on the correct use of PPE
• Replace worn or damaged PPE

The employee does not have to apply for PPE - it is an automatic right arising from the Labor Code and government regulations. The employer is obliged to provide employees with PPE in cases where it is not possible to eliminate risks or limit them by means of collective protection or measures in the field of work organization. This obligation is enshrined in Act No. 262/2006 Coll., the Labor Code.

We have generally discussed what PPE is in this article.

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