Yes — PPE requirements and COSHH assessments are not optional additions to a RAMS document. They are legally required components under UK health and safety law. Here is what you must include and why.
The Legal Basis for PPE in RAMS
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 (which updated the 1992 Regulations) require employers to provide suitable PPE to employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work. Critically, PPE is considered the last resort in the hierarchy of controls — it should only be relied upon where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.
Your RAMS must demonstrate that you have worked through the hierarchy of controls before specifying PPE. Simply stating “operatives will wear gloves and goggles” without explaining why other controls are insufficient is not adequate.
The Hierarchy of Controls (Most to Least Preferred)
PPE Requirements by Task
Your RAMS must specify the exact PPE required for each task or hazard identified. Generic statements are not sufficient — the PPE must be matched to the specific risk. Here is a guide for common exterior cleaning tasks:
Pressure Washing
- Waterproof safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- Waterproof trousers and jacket
- Safety glasses or goggles (EN 166)
- Hearing protection if prolonged use (EN 352)
Chemical Application (Softwashing / Biocides)
- Chemical-resistant gloves — nitrile minimum, neoprene for strong acids (EN 374)
- Chemical splash goggles (EN 166)
- Face shield for high-concentration chemicals
- Chemical-resistant oversuit or apron
- Respiratory protection if spray mist is generated (FFP2 minimum)
Working at Height
- Safety helmet (EN 397)
- Full-body harness with energy-absorbing lanyard (EN 361 / EN 355)
- Non-slip safety footwear
- Hi-visibility vest where required by site rules
Gutter Cleaning / Biological Waste
- Nitrile gloves (EN 374)
- Safety glasses (EN 166)
- Dust mask (FFP2) if dry debris is disturbed
- Waterproof clothing
Why COSHH and PPE Must Work Together
Your COSHH assessment and PPE requirements are intrinsically linked. The COSHH assessment identifies the hazardous substances and the routes of exposure; the PPE specification provides the last line of defence against that exposure. A RAMS that includes a COSHH assessment but no PPE specification — or vice versa — is incomplete and non-compliant.
Under Regulation 7 of the COSHH Regulations 2002, employers must prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances. Where adequate control cannot be achieved by other means, PPE must be provided and its use enforced.
PPE Maintenance and Records
The PPE at Work Regulations 2022 also require that PPE is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair. Your RAMS should reference your PPE inspection and maintenance procedures, and you should keep records of PPE inspections — particularly for life-safety equipment such as harnesses.
RAMS Creator includes dedicated PPE and COSHH sections in every RAMS document, ensuring that these legally required components are never overlooked. The app also allows you to attach training certificates and equipment inspection records, providing a complete compliance package for every job you undertake across all exterior cleaning sectors.
