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Are you aware that today, 6th April 2022, the rules for PPE regarding limb workers has changed?

Posted on April 6, 2022

What is a limb worker?

In the UK, section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996’s definition of a worker has 2 limbs:

  • Limb (a) describes those with a contract of employment. This group are employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and are already in scope of PPER 1992
  • Limb (b) describes workers who generally have a more casual employment relationship and work under a contract for service – they do not currently come under the scope of PPER 1992

PPER 2022 draws on this definition of worker and captures both employees and limb (b) workers:

‘“worker” means ‘an individual who has entered or works under –

  • (a) a contract of employment; or
  • (b) any other contract, whether express or implied and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing, whereby the individual undertakes to do or perform personally any work or services for another party to the contract whose status is not by virtue of the contract that of a client or customer of any profession or business undertaking carried on by the individual; and any references to a worker’s contract shall be construed accordingly.’

 

Generally, workers who come under limb (b):

  • carry out casual or irregular work for one or more organisations
  • after 1 month of continuous service, receive holiday pay but not other employment rights such as the minimum period of statutory notice
  • only carry out work if they choose to
  • have a contract or other arrangement to do work or services personally for a reward (the contract doesn’t have to be written) and only have a limited right to send someone else to do the work, for example swapping shifts with someone on a pre-approved list (subcontracting)
  • are not in business for themselves (they do not advertise services directly to customers who can then also book their services directly)

As every employment relationship will be specific to the individual and employer, the precise status of any worker can ultimately only be determined by a court or tribunal.

Please note: These changes do not apply to those who have a ‘self-employed’ status. Please check the government website for more information regarding this. (GOV.UK website)

 

So, what has changed?
On 6 April 2022 the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022) came into force. They amend the 1992 Regulations (PPER 1992).

They extend employers’ and employees’ duties regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) to limb (b) workers.

Duties unchanged but extended
Under PPER 2022, the types of duties and responsibilities on employers and employees under PPER 1992 remain unchanged but are extended to limb (b) workers, as defined in PPER 2022.

If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on the use of PPE.

A limb (b) worker now has a duty to use the PPE in accordance with their training and instruction, and ensure it is returned to the storage area provided by their employer.

What this means for employers
PPER 1992 places a duty on every employer in Great Britain to ensure that suitable PPE is provided to ‘employees’ who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.

Employers need to carefully consider whether these UK Law changes apply to them and their workforce and make the necessary preparations to comply.

What this means for limb (b) workers
If a risk assessment indicates that a limb (b) worker requires PPE to carry out their work activities, the employer must carry out a PPE suitability assessment and provide the PPE free of charge as they do for employees.

The employer is responsible for the maintenance, storage and replacement of any PPE they provide. As a worker, you are required to use the PPE properly following training and instruction from your employer. If the PPE you provide is lost or becomes defective, you should report that to your employer.

Employers with both employees and limb (b) workers
From 6 April 2022, you need to ensure that there is no difference in the way PPE is provided to your workers, as defined by PPER 2022. This means assessing the risk and ensuring suitable PPE is provided, when needed, to all people that fall under the definition of worker.

The PPE provided must be compatible, maintained and correctly stored. All workers must use the PPE properly following training and instruction in its use from their employer. If the PPE you provide is lost or becomes defective, your worker should report that to you.

Employers with only limb (b) workers
You need to ensure that your workers are provided with PPE free of charge, where required, from 6 April 2022. This means assessing the residual risk once all other measures (such as engineering controls) have been taken.

You then need to ensure suitable PPE is:

  • provided
  • compatible
  • maintained
  • correctly stored
  • used properly

You also need to provide training and instruction in its use to all your workers. You cannot charge workers for PPE they require to carry out their work.

Call To Action:
Any issue of PPE to operatives, contractors etc. should be recorded to operatives on an individual basis and the operative sign off the date of their receipt, understanding of its use and maintenance and safe storage along with any further issue or replacement.
Remember to have suitable spare PPE available on site for visitors or for staff that may have infrequent use .
Failure to use allocated PPE or misuse could be subject to disciplinary action and even dismissal. 

We would also like to take this chance to remind you of the governments free PPE scheme, which finishes 31st March 2022:

 

Free personal protective equipment (PPE) scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-scheme

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