PPE Selection for Cleaners — Module 1
What you'll learn in this module
- Why PPE is the last line of defence — not the first
- The HSE hierarchy of controls and where PPE sits within it
- Your legal duty to use PPE correctly as a cleaning professional
PPE Is the Last Resort — Not the First
Many cleaners reach for gloves and a mask before thinking about anything else. That is understandable — PPE is visible, tangible, and feels protective. But according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), PPE is the last line of defence in a hierarchy of controls, not the starting point.
This matters because PPE can fail. Gloves tear. Masks are worn incorrectly. Eye protection gets left in the van. If PPE is your only control measure, you have no backup when it fails.
The HSE Hierarchy of Controls
The hierarchy of controls is a framework for managing workplace risks. Controls are applied from the top down — the most effective first, PPE last.
| Level | Control Type | Example in Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elimination | Remove the hazardous chemical entirely |
| 2 | Substitution | Replace with a less hazardous product |
| 3 | Engineering Controls | Use dilution equipment to avoid direct contact |
| 4 | Administrative Controls | Training, safe working procedures, signage |
| 5 | PPE | Gloves, goggles, aprons, masks |
In practice, most cleaning tasks will still require PPE — but it should be used alongside other controls, not instead of them.
Your Legal Duty
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (amended 2022), employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Self-employed cleaners have the same duty to themselves.
- Assess the risk and select appropriate PPE
- Ensure PPE is properly maintained and replaced when worn
- Know how to use it correctly — and actually use it
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