Infection Prevention Solutions
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Personal protective equipment is governed by Health and Safety Legislation including the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (1992). It aims to prevent the transmission of micro-organisms between patients and staff (NICE 2012; Epic 3 2014). The need to wear PPE will depend upon the potential risks associated with the planned task. It is the members of staffs’ responsibility to assess this risk and decide upon the necessary PPE as appropriate. All blood and body fluids, secretions or excretion are potentially infectious; therefore staff must take reasonable precautions against exposure to these including hazardous chemicals and some pharmaceuticals (RCN 2005, NICE 2012, Health and Safety Executive 1999). Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided when the risk presented by a work activity cannot be adequately controlled by other means. All reasonable steps should be taken to secure the health and safety of employees who use PPE. Personal protective equipment includes (but is not restricted to): • • • • •
gloves water repellent aprons / gowns masks eye protection DS IPC 2022 head and footwear (in theatres etc.)
Risk assessment for PPE The choice of PPE and the selection of appropriate materials must be subject to careful assessment of the activity to be conducted and the anticipated risk of exposure to body fluids, risk of transmission of microorganisms and the risk of contamination. Many activities pose no risk of exposure to body fluids therefore there will be no need for any PPE. Risk assessment forms an integral part of Health and Safety legislation. Assess risk of activity
No contact with body fluid
No PPE required
Contact with body fluid
Low risk of splashing
High risk of splashing
Gloves and apron
Gloves, apron, mask and eye protection
This list is by no means exhaustive, instead it offers examples of common support/care activities where blood and / or body fluid exposure may occur and what
Sample Issue Date: 01/10/2022 Review Date: 30/09/2024
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Infection Prevention Solutions ©2022 Page 1 of 8
