Subsection 1: Equipment characteristics and conditions of use

Personal protective equipment is appropriate to the risks to be prevented and to the conditions in which the work is carried out. It must not itself create additional risks. It must be possible to wear it, if necessary after adjustment, in conditions compatible with the work to be performed and with ergonomic principles.

Joint decrees issued by the Ministers of Labour and Agriculture determine, where necessary, the value of permissible daily exposure that may be left by personal protective equipment.

In the event of multiple risks requiring the simultaneous use of several items of personal protective equipment, these items must be compatible with each other and maintain their effectiveness in relation to the corresponding risks.

Personal protective equipment against the acute or chronic effects of non-ionising radiation sources on the eye is such that the irradiance density of the radiation likely to reach the user’s eyes does not present a hazard.

The personal protective equipment and work clothing referred to in article R. 4321-4 are provided free of charge by the employer, who shall ensure that they function properly and are maintained in a satisfactory hygienic condition by carrying out the necessary maintenance, repairs and replacements. These provisions do not preclude the conditions of supply of personal protective equipment provided for in article L. 1251-23, for temporary employees.

Personal protective equipment is reserved for personal use in the context of the professional activities of the person to whom it is assigned. However, if the nature of the equipment and the circumstances require successive use of this personal protective equipment by several people, appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure that such use does not pose any health or hygiene problems for the various users.

The employer determines, after consulting the social and economic committee, the conditions under which personal protective equipment is made available and used, in particular those concerning the length of time it must be worn. It takes into account the seriousness of the risk, the frequency of exposure to the risk, the characteristics of each worker’s workstation and the performance of the personal protective equipment in question.

Personal protective equipment is used in accordance with its intended purpose.