Section 1: Principles

The employer shall provide workers with the necessary work equipment, appropriate to the work to be carried out or suitably adapted for this purpose, with a view to protecting their health and safety.

The employer chooses work equipment according to the particular conditions and characteristics of the work. He must take account of the characteristics of the establishment which are likely to give rise to risks when using this equipment.

Where the measures taken in application of articles R. 4321-1 and R. 4321-2 cannot be sufficient to protect the health and safety of workers, the employer shall take all other necessary measures to this end, in particular by acting on the installation of work equipment, the organisation of work or work processes.

Where necessary, the employer shall provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment and, where the particularly unhealthy or dirty nature of the work so requires, appropriate work clothing. He shall ensure that they are used effectively.

Personal protective equipment and work clothing made available to workers in application of the provisions of this part do not constitute benefits in kind within the meaning of Article L. 3141-25.