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In its guidance to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, the HSE says, "PPE should always be regarded as the 'last resort' to protect against risks to safety and health; engineering controls and safe systems of work should always be considered first."

"The principle that PPE should always be regarded as the last in the line of defence when protecting people against exposure to hazardous chemicals is often quoted but, unfortunately, not often followed ... Often the quickest and cheapest solution to a chemical exposure problem is to consider PPE as the first, and possibly the only, option," P. J. Turnbull in Lewis

An effective PPE programme should be based on risk assessment and the PPE should be correctly selected, correctly fitted, given to workers only after training in why it is needed and how to use it, and correctly maintained and disposed of.

PPE for chemical exposures is covered by COSHH Regulations 7-9. In situations outside the scope of COSHH or other Regulations (such as those on lead and asbestos), PPE is covered by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. However, according to the guidance on PPE Regulations, "Even if the PPE at Work Regulations do not apply, the advice given in this guidance may still be applicable, as the general principles of selecting and maintaining suitable PPE and training employees in its use are common to all Regulations which refer to PPE."

All PPE bought and sold in the European Union must carry a 'CE' mark, to certify that it has passed a required set of tests.

The shortcomings of PPE must be stressed. All too often it is not tested, not suitable, not effective, not durable and not maintained.

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