Assessment of personal protective equipment
6. —
(1) Before choosing any personal protective equipment which by virtue of regulation 4 he is required to ensure is provided, an employer or self-employed person shall ensure that an assessment is made to determine whether that equipment will be suitable.
(2) The assessment required by paragraph (1) shall include—
(a)an assessment of any risk or risks to health or safety which have not been avoided by other means;
(b)the definition of the characteristics which personal protective equipment must have in order to be effective against the risks referred to in sub-paragraph (a), taking into account any risks which the equipment itself may create; and
(c)a comparison of the characteristics of the personal protective equipment available with the characteristics referred to in sub-paragraph (b).
(3) Every employer or self-employed person who is required by paragraph (1) to ensure that an assessment is made shall ensure that any such assessment is reviewed if—
(a)there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or
(b)there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates,
and where as a result of any such review changes in the assessment are required, the relevant employer or self-employed person shall ensure that they are made.