From the CEO’s desk

By law all PPE must perform to the minimum standards of performance as specified by the CE norms and be independently tested to confirm their capability to meet and exceed these requirements. These standards enable risk assessments to specify correct PPE to overcome the hazard faced and for the wearers to be confident that the product they use will ‘do what it says on the tin’. In other words, if you are supplied appropriate safety equipment, it will protect you as specified.

In information generated by the Bomel organisation some years ago, the UK RIDDOR reports mentioning PPE were analysed. More than 60% of all the accidents reports analysed indicated that either the wrong PPE or no PPE had been supplied, causing the injury, not on one occasion was there a mention of the PPE failing or not working properly. 

Safety Equipment and especially personal protective equipment is one of those items that just have to work. No if’s, no maybe’s, it either protects you or it doesn’t and the outcomes of not protecting you are severe. Therefore good technical performance standards are essential. 

Prior to the CE requirements we used British Standards, which were highly regarded (and often the basis for the replacement CE standard). In some areas they are still essential and In a number of cases, the on-going production monitoring which can be gained from the Kitemark scheme ensures quality and substantially adds to the trust in a product. However, to gain benefits of production scale, access to worldwide markets and the ability to update standards to meet new hazards and capabilities, the CE norm’s offers the UK great benefits.

No matter which way you feel about Europe, we should all wish to ensure the CE norms for PPE product performance remain. Occupational safety without it would be a riskier place.