PPE REGULATIONS

Understanding the requirements to better protect professionals

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays an essential role in preventing occupational risks.

Its selection, use and maintenance are subject to regulatory requirements designed to protect workers' health and safety.

At FRANCITAL ENVIRONNEMENT, a specialist in forestry protective clothing, we regularly receive questions about PPE requirements, particularly in logging, arboriculture and forestry operations.

This page outlines the main principles of European and French regulations and their practical implications for employers and users.

It does not replace the applicable legislation, occupational risk assessments or the instructions supplied with the equipment.

1. WHAT IS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT?

Personal Protective Equipment is any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more risks to their health or safety.

Reference: Article R.4311-8 of the French Labour Code.

Depending on its characteristics and performance, PPE may provide protection against mechanical hazards, cuts, flying particles, noise, falls or adverse weather conditions.

The European regulatory framework governing the design and placing on the market of PPE is established by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of 9 March 2016.

This Regulation sets out the essential health and safety requirements that PPE must meet.

2. WHAT ROLE DOES PPE PLAY IN RISK PREVENTION?

Risk prevention begins with identifying and assessing the hazards associated with each working situation.

Employers must give priority to measures that eliminate or reduce risks, particularly through work organisation and collective protective measures.

Collective protection must always take priority over individual protection.

When risks cannot be eliminated or sufficiently reduced by these measures, PPE becomes necessary.

PPE therefore provides additional protection against residual risks to which workers remain exposed.

Its effectiveness depends on its performance, suitability for the identified hazards, correct fit and proper use in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

3. HOW TO SELECT SUITABLE PPE

PPE should not be selected solely on the basis of its performance level or compliance with a standard.

The following factors should also be considered:

  • The nature and severity of the hazards.

  • The frequency and duration of exposure.

  • Actual working conditions and the environment.

  • The user's body shape and individual characteristics.

  • Comfort, ergonomics and freedom of movement.

  • Compatibility with other equipment worn simultaneously.

PPE must be appropriate for the risks involved, suitable for the wearer and compatible with the work being carried out.

Equipment that is too restrictive, poorly fitted or unsuitable for working conditions may compromise the wearer's safety.

Whenever possible, a trial period under actual working conditions helps assess whether the equipment meets users' needs.

4. WHICH PPE IS MANDATORY ON FORESTRY WORKSITES?

In France, forestry and silvicultural operations are subject to specific requirements.

Decree No. 2016-1678 of 5 December 2016 strengthened health and safety rules applicable to these worksites.

The corresponding provisions are set out in the French Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, particularly Articles R.717-83 and R.717-83-1.

Equipment required for workers

On an active forestry or silvicultural worksite, workers must notably be equipped with:

  • Protective headgear.

  • Safety shoes or boots suitable for the terrain.

  • High-visibility coloured clothing or accessories enabling other workers to see them.

Certain specific silvicultural activities may justify an exemption from wearing a helmet, subject to the conditions laid down by French regulations.

Additional equipment for chainsaw operators

Workers using chainsaws must also wear protective equipment suited to the specific hazards involved:

  • A face shield or safety goggles against flying particles.

  • Hearing protection.

  • Gloves.

  • Trousers or similar garments designed to protect against cutting hazards associated with the chainsaw being used.

  • Footwear selected to protect against cutting hazards associated with the equipment used.

These items must be selected according to the identified risks and working conditions.

Important: wearing chainsaw protective clothing never removes the need to follow safety instructions and safe machine operating practices.

For further information, see our article PPE & Forestry Worksites.

5. WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES?

Employers' obligations

Employers are responsible for assessing occupational risks and implementing appropriate preventive measures.

When PPE is required, employers must notably:

  • Provide suitable equipment free of charge.

  • Ensure its conformity and suitability for the risks involved.

  • Inform employees about the hazards against which the equipment protects them.

  • Provide instructions and arrange any necessary training.

  • Define conditions for use, maintenance and storage.

  • Ensure equipment remains in good condition and is replaced when necessary.

References: Articles R.4321-4 and R.4323-91 to R.4323-106 of the French Labour Code.

Employees' obligations

Employees must use the PPE provided in accordance with the instructions received and applicable safety rules.

They must also use equipment correctly and report any damage, defects or malfunctions.

Effective protection is a shared responsibility: employers provide the necessary resources, while employees comply with the conditions of use.

6. HOW IS PPE CATEGORISED?

Regulation (EU) 2016/425 distinguishes three PPE categories according to the nature and severity of the risks against which the equipment is intended to protect.

CATEGORY I — MINIMAL RISKS

This category covers equipment intended to protect against the minimal risks specified in the Regulation.

Manufacturers may use a conformity assessment procedure based on internal production control.

CATEGORY II — RISKS OTHER THAN THOSE IN CATEGORIES I AND III

This category includes PPE designed to protect against risks that fall under neither Category I nor Category III.

Placing such equipment on the market requires an EU type-examination by a notified body, together with internal production control.

CATEGORY III — RISKS THAT MAY CAUSE VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES

This category covers risks that may cause very serious consequences, such as death or irreversible damage to health.

It includes equipment intended to protect against cuts from hand-held chainsaws.

Such PPE is subject to enhanced conformity assessment requirements.

Chainsaw protective PPE

Protective clothing against cuts from hand-held chainsaws falls under Category III.

Its conformity assessment notably includes:

  • An EU type-examination carried out by a notified body.

  • Production conformity monitoring under one of the procedures provided for by the European Regulation.

FRANCITAL ENVIRONNEMENT applies a production quality assurance procedure under the supervision of a notified body, in accordance with the requirements applicable to Category III PPE.

This approach contributes to maintaining the conformity of manufactured equipment.

7. HOW TO UNDERSTAND PPE STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE LEVELS

Technical standards define test methods and requirements used to assess equipment performance.

They provide essential references for comparing the protective characteristics of products.

PPE performance is specified in particular through its markings and instructions for use.

For clothing designed to protect against chainsaw cuts, the EN ISO 11393 series defines the requirements and test methods applicable to the relevant types of equipment.

However, two concepts must be distinguished:

The performance level of PPE is not equivalent to a guaranteed level of protection in every working situation.

Standardised tests are conducted under defined and reproducible conditions. They cannot reproduce every situation that may occur in the field.

No PPE can guarantee absolute protection under all circumstances.

Equipment selection must therefore always be supported by a risk assessment, appropriate working practices and compliance with safety instructions.

For further technical information, visit our PPE Standards page.

8. INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is exposed to conditions that may affect its performance: wear, friction, dirt, moisture, tears, ageing of materials or accidental damage.

PPE that complied with requirements when purchased may become unsuitable or ineffective if damaged or poorly maintained.

Inspecting equipment before use

Before each use, a visual inspection of the equipment's general condition is recommended, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

This inspection helps identify:

  • Tears, cuts or punctures.

  • Damaged seams.

  • Defective fastenings or attachment components.

  • Signs of excessive wear.

  • Damage likely to affect protective performance.

For chainsaw protective clothing, particular attention must be paid to the integrity of protective areas.

If there is any doubt about the equipment's ability to provide protection, it must be withdrawn from service pending an appropriate assessment.

Maintaining PPE according to the instructions

Washing, drying, storage and maintenance must comply with the manufacturer's instructions.

Unsuitable treatments may damage materials or compromise protective performance.

It is therefore essential to consult the instructions supplied with each item.

Organising periodic inspections

Employers must ensure that the PPE provided remains compliant.

The nature and frequency of inspections must be adapted to the equipment, its conditions of use and applicable regulatory requirements.

Certain PPE is subject to mandatory general periodic inspections, notably under Article R.4323-99 of the French Labour Code and the corresponding ministerial orders.

These provisions apply to specifically defined equipment families, including certain respiratory protective devices, inflatable life jackets and personal fall protection systems.

Mandatory statutory periodic inspections for certain PPE must not be confused with the routine checks and maintenance required for all protective equipment.

When should PPE be replaced?

Equipment must be replaced when it can no longer provide the expected protective performance, particularly in cases of damage, excessive wear or when the manufacturer's specified limits have been reached.

Service life depends on the type of equipment, intensity of use, maintenance and storage conditions.

For more information, see Care of Forestry PPE and Service Life & End of Life.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

  • Risk prevention begins with identifying and assessing hazards.

  • Collective protective measures must be given priority.

  • PPE must be suited to the risks, users and working conditions.

  • Protective equipment against cuts from hand-held chainsaws falls under Category III.

  • Standards define performance levels measured under specified test conditions.

  • PPE must be used, maintained, inspected and replaced in accordance with applicable instructions and requirements.

  • No PPE can guarantee absolute protection.

FRANCITAL ENVIRONNEMENT — Textile expertise dedicated to your protection.

This information is provided for guidance purposes. For regulatory compliance, always consult the current official legislation, manufacturers' instructions and the provisions applicable to each professional activity.