TUC wants reps’ views on personal protection

The TUC has been concerned for some time about the failure of some employers to make personal protective equipment (PPE) available. PPE includes items like hard hats and safety boots but also less obvious items like sunscreen. The TUC believes that a significant number of employers are shirking their responsibilities and passing the burden onto workers.

Accordingly, the TUC has launched a survey of workers which is intended to establish what proportion of people have to provide and maintain their own PPE and how widespread the practice is of employees being asked to reimburse their employer for PPE.

Hugh Robertson, TUC senior policy officer for health and safety, said: “Despite clear laws that employers must provide and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) free, millions of workers are having to either supply their own or pay for cleaning.”

He added: “The TUC wants more to be done to both highlight the law and also to enforce it. We have produced a very simple survey which is aimed at finding out what sectors are most affected and are hoping that as many workers as possible will fill it in.”

To take part in the survey follow the link: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-20458-f0.cfm