BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	Health & Safety Overview
Chapter:	6. Volunteer Welfare
Section:	Protective clothing and equipment
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

Appropriate 'personal protective equipment' (PPE) which includes clothing must be provided, either by the volunteer or the organisation responsible. The precise nature of what is actually required will depend on the risk assessment of the particular operation. For example, the risk of eye damage from flying stone chips while dry stone walling is easily controlled by providing goggles, but they would not be appropriate when leading a guided walk!

Work must not take place if the required PPE is not available and all volunteers must use it in order to fulfil legal responsibilities; they are also expected to take reasonable care of it. The PPE must be available to each person who needs it, but if the volunteer has no suitable wear him/herself it may be supplied by or borrowed from the organisation responsible. The following are some of the PPE items in common use; but there are many others like ear defenders and face masks to consider. There must be protection from the elements and volunteers themselves should be briefed to bring warm clothes and waterproofs, as appropriate.

Gloves These are required for use in most situations; they must not be worn when using sharp-edged tools, sledge hammers, mells or picks.

Goggles These should be worn whenever sledge hammers, picks, bars, chisels or chemicals are being used or in any other circumstance where harmful substances might enter the eyes.

Helmets These should be worn wherever work is taking place above head height including woodland management operations like tree-felling and whenever winches are being used.

Reflective waistcoats These should be worn whenever working at the side of the road or at any time when you are at risk from traffic. Roadside working also requires the use of traffic cones, signs, etc.

Work boots Comfortable protective footwear should always be worn when undertaking practical work. When moving heavy objects or where there is any danger to the feet, steel toe-capped boots should be worn.