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Suitable records
184. The record of each thorough examination and test of RPE carried out should include:
the name and address of the employer responsible for the RPE;
particulars of the equipment and of the distinguishing number or mark, together with a description
sufficient to identify it, and the name of the maker;
the date of examination and the name and signature or other acceptable means of identifying the person
carrying out the examination and test;
the condition of the equipment and details of any defect found, including for canister or filter respirators,
the state of the canister and the condition of the filter;
for self-contained compressed air/gas breathing apparatus, the pressure of air/gas in the supply
cylinder; and
for powered/power-assisted respirators and breathing apparatus, the volume flow rate to ensure that
they can deliver at least the manufacturer's minimum recommended flow rate.
Keeping records
185. Employers may keep records in any format, eg on paper or electronically. Records should be kept readily
accessible and retrievable at any reasonable time for examination by safety representatives or inspectors etc.
Accommodation for, and checking of, PPE
186. Employers should ensure that accommodation is provided for PPE so that it can be safely stored or kept
when it is not in use. The adequacy of the accommodation will vary according to the quantity, type and its use,
eg pegs, (labelled) lockers, shelves or containers etc. The storage should be adequate to protect the PPE from
contamination, loss or damage by, for example, harmful substances, damp or sunlight. Where quantities of PPE
are stored, equipment which is ready for use should be clearly segregated from that which is awaiting repair or
maintenance. Where PPE becomes contaminated during use, and especially by biological agents, the
accommodation should be separate from any the employer provides for ordinary clothing and equipment.
Employers may also have duties under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to provide
accommodation for PPE.14.
187. All PPE should be checked regularly to ensure that it continues to function and provide protection. The
types of checks should be suited to that item of PPE and be able to detect significant deterioration. The more
likely the performance of a particular item of PPE is to deteriorate, the more often it needs checking. Whoever
does this work should be sufficiently knowledgeable and trained to identify deterioration and significant
faults. Equipment that has deteriorated significantly or is faulty should be effectively repaired or disposed of
safely.
Reproduced from COSHH Approved Codes of Practice L5 by Factair Ltd with the permission of the Controller of
HMSO.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
