PPE at work in Ireland
PPE at work in Ireland
The rules on personal protective equipment in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, side by side, in plain English.
- Republic of Ireland
- Northern Ireland
- Official sources
Standards on this page
Symbols follow the official pictograms.
Key takeaways
- PPE is the last line of defence, used where other controls cannot remove or limit the risk [2][5].
- Employers must assess, provide, fit, maintain and replace PPE, and train people to use it [2][6].
- Employees cannot be charged for PPE they use at work, North or South [1][5].
- Employees must use PPE properly and report damage straight away [3].
The rules side by side
Both systems put the duty on the employer to provide suitable PPE and keep it in good order.
| Topic | Republic of Ireland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Health and Safety Authority (HSA) | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) |
| Main law | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007, Part 2 Chapter 3 [1][2] | Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 [6] |
| When PPE is needed | Where risks cannot be avoided or sufficiently limited by technical means, collective protection or work organisation [2] | Where a risk has not been adequately controlled by other equally or more effective means [6] |
| Charging staff | No charge for PPE used at work, and no deposits [1] | Employers cannot charge employees for PPE, returnable or not [5] |
| Who it covers | Employees. The truly self-employed provide their own [1] | Extended from employees to workers by a 2024 amendment [7] |
What employers must do
- Provide itSupply suitable PPE where the risk cannot be dealt with any other way [2].
- Assess it firstBefore choosing, assess the risks, define what the PPE must do, and compare the options against that. Review the assessment when things change [2].
- Set conditions of useDecide how long it is worn, based on how serious and frequent the risk is, the workstation and the PPE itself. Make sure items worn together still work together [2].
- Keep it personalNormally one item per person, with hygiene steps if sharing cannot be avoided [1][2].
- Maintain and replace itKeep it in good working order and clean, with storage, repair and replacement as needed [2].
- Inform and trainExplain the risks it protects against and how to use it, with training and demonstrations where needed [2].
What employees must do
- Use PPE properly whenever it is needed [3].
- Report defects or damage to it immediately [3].
- Take part in the training and instruction provided [3].
- Tell your employer about any medical condition the PPE could affect [3].
- Return PPE to storage after use [1].
This guide summarises official guidance in plain English. It is not legal advice. Always follow your own risk assessment and check the current version of each source.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer charge me for PPE in Ireland?
No. In the Republic, section 8(5) of the 2005 Act means no charge may be made for PPE used at work, including a deposit [1]. In Northern Ireland, HSENI says employers cannot charge employees for PPE, whether it is returnable or not [5].
Do self-employed people have to buy their own PPE?
In the Republic, the HSA says an employer may charge a worker who is truly self-employed, and that contractors and sole traders provide their own PPE [1][9]. In Northern Ireland, the 1993 Regulations say a self-employed person must make sure they have suitable PPE [6].
Is PPE the first thing to reach for?
No. PPE is for risks that cannot be avoided or sufficiently limited by technical means, collective protection or ways of organising the work [2]. HSENI calls it a last resort [5].
Can staff share PPE?
Normally each item is for one person. Where sharing is needed, the employer must make sure it does not cause health or hygiene problems, for example by cleaning and disinfecting it between users [1][2].
What mark should PPE carry in Ireland?
PPE must meet the EU rules on design and manufacture [2]. In practice, look for the CE mark [4]. In Northern Ireland you may also see CE with UKNI [8]. See our guide to CE, UKCA and UKNI marks.
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Kitting out a team in Ireland?
We can help you match PPE to the hazards in your risk assessment. We deliver to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2–4 working days, with no customs or import duty for Irish orders. See delivery details and ordering from Ireland. Get in touch with our team to discuss trade or team pricing. Call (028) 90 749 719 or email sales@theworkwearco.com.
Sources
Numbers in square brackets on this page refer to these sources. Standards and site rules change, so always check the current version and your own risk assessment.
- Health and Safety Authority, Guide to the General Application Regulations 2007: Personal Protective Equipment – https://www.hsa.ie/media/mnxnk0dv/gen_apps_ppe.pdf
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, revised, Part 2 Chapter 3 (Regulations 62 to 67) – https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2007/si/299/revised/en/pdf
- Health and Safety Authority, A Guide to Non-Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment – https://hsa.ie/media/dhons1uy/ppe-guidance.pdf
- European Commission, Personal protective equipment (Regulation (EU) 2016/425) – https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/mechanical-engineering/personal-protective-equipment_en
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, Personal protective equipment (PPE) – https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/personal-protective-equipment-ppe
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1993/20/pdfs/nisr_19930020_en.pdf
- HSENI, New health and safety Regulations (2024 amendment extending PPE duties to workers) – https://www.hseni.gov.uk/news/new-health-and-safety-regulations-4
- GOV.UK, Placing CE, or CE and UKNI marked products on the market in Northern Ireland (updated 8 April 2026) – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-ce-or-ce-and-ukni-marked-products-on-the-market-in-northern-ireland
- Health and Safety Authority / Construction Safety Partnership, Construction site welfare facilities and PPE – https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/construction/welfare_facilities_csp1.pdf