Council Directive 89/656/EEC on the minimum health and safety requirements for the use by workers of personal protective equipment at the workplace.

The main requirements of Council Directive 89/656/EEC on the use of personal protective equipment at the workplace is that such devices are to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. The regulation also requires that such devices:

• are properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable;
• are maintained and stored properly;
• are provided with instructions on how to use it safely;
• are used correctly by employees (e.g. fit correctly and is compatible with other protective devices; and
• are provided free of charge by the employer.

Council Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment placed on sale in the European Community.

Personal protective equipment is defined in the Directive 89/686/EEC as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards. The main objectives of the Directive are:

• To ensure that such equipment satisfies the basic health and safety requirements and all other provisions established by this Directive in order to preserve the health protection and safety of users by providing the highest level of protection against the hazards encountered at the work place.
• To ensure the free movement of such equipment within the European Community territory.
• To establish the control mechanisms to avoid that non-compliant personal equipment is sold in the European Community territory.

Additional provisions apply for particular PPE and provide more detailed specific requirements relating to the design, manufacture, quality level and relevant testing properties and methods. The intention of KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL* is to contribute to effective head to toe protection of individuals against injury and illness in their workplaces. The following legislative guidelines are presented here as a contribution to the construction of a safer working environment through encouraging compliance from the use of properly selected Personal Protective Equipment.

Legislation Documents

• Eye Protection
• Respiratory Protection
• Hand Protection
• Limited- Life Protective Clothing
• Hearing Protection