Why you need to ensure your body armour provider is compliant with PPE regulations

The Importance of PPE Compliance

It is crucial for stab resistant body armour providers to comply with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) regulations to ensure the safety and protection of its users. PPE regulations establish strict standards for the design, materials, and performance of stab vests to guarantee they effectively mitigate injuries in violent situations which may involve knives and sharp objects.

Compliance ensures that the?body armour?has undergone rigorous testing and meets legal safety requirements, protecting users from injuries or fatalities in dangerous situations, such as law enforcement or security operations. Additionally, adherence to these regulations helps providers avoid legal liabilities, enhances their credibility, and ensures the trust and confidence of users.

Types of PPE Penalties

If PPE Regulations aren’t complied with, there could be serious consequences for both the provider of the body armour, and the employer issuing it to their employees.

PPE penalties refer to the fines or legal consequences imposed on employers, manufacturers, or suppliers who fail to comply with safety regulations governing the use, provision, or quality of PPE. These penalties are typically enforced by government agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) here in the U.K.

Key types of PPE penalties include:

• Fines: Employers can face significant financial penalties for failing to provide appropriate PPE or supplying substandard equipment.
• Legal Liability: Non-compliance can lead to litigation if an employee is injured due to inadequate protection.
• Business Closure or License Revocation: Persistent non-compliance can lead to business closures or revocation of licenses.
• Criminal Charges: In severe cases, non-compliance leading to serious harm may result in criminal charges.

Category III PPE Explained

Stab resistant body armour is classified as Category III PPE, which involves risks that may cause very serious consequences, such as death or irreversible damage to health from knife stabs.

Being category III PPE, stab resistant body armour involves having a ‘notified body.’ This is an independent organisation that assesses products to ensure they meet legal requirements before being sold in the European Union (EU). The nominated notified body will audit the body armour provider by carrying out annual checks in accordance with PPE regulations.

At PPSS Group, we strive for excellence, ensuring that compliance with PPE regulations is high on our agenda. We’re always happy to share details of our?certifications and accreditations.?Our transparency reflects our commitment to safety.

What Employers Should Do

If you are an employer looking to issue stab vests to your staff, I highly recommend engaging with your proposed supplier and enquiring about certifications and accreditations. This will ensure your team is properly protected and you avoid future issues.

A stab resistant body armour provider should have two certificates to ensure compliance with PPE regulations: a Module B certificate and a Module D certificate, both issued by the notified body. The Module D certificate is especially important for Category III PPE, which includes stab resistant body armour