Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (2002)
The PPE 2002 legislation provides guidelines on the design, use, and maintenance of protective equipment in various sports industries and context.
1. Ensures that PPE used in sports is safe, fit for purpose, and complies with safety standards for example:
Head Protection
Required to reduce the risk of head injuries.
Example: Helmets for cycling, football, or rock climbing.
Eye Protection
Protects against impacts and flying objects.
Example: Sports goggles or visors for skiing, cycling, hockey (especially goalkeeper)
Hearing Protection
Protects against long-term hearing damage from loud environments.
Example: Earplugs for motorsport or shooting sports.
Body Protection
Guards against bruising, fractures, and internal injuries.
Example: Padding, shoulder pads, chest protectors in rugby, American football, or cricket.
Foot Protection
Enhances traction, reduces risk of sprains and injuries when undertaking activity.
Example: A football boot gives better traction and reduces the likelihood of slipping and twisting legs during games. Walking boots provide ankle protection when climbing high mountains.
Hand Protection
Prevents injuries to hands, wrists, and fingers during high-impact activities.
Example: Boxing gloves, goalkeeper gloves in soccer, or wrist guards in skateboarding.
2. The Employer and sport organisation’s responsibilities
- Ensure that athletes are provided with the appropriate PPE. (as above)
- Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment for safety compliance, such as checking before taking out of storage. All equipment checked on return and before storage. Example would be checking climbing ropes for wear and tear, twists etc.
- Training athletes on correct usage of all PPE that they might use.