Who provides the PPE

Gixxergirl

I am a self employed contractor and I have been asked to provide PPE - is this my responsibility or the company I am currently working for?

In addition, the company have previously let me use electrical equipment belonging to them free of charge, however they are now saying they will either rent it to me or I have to provide my own. Can they do this?
Thanks

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Of course they can. They can set whatever conditions they like; you are trying to sell them a service. If you don't like the conditions, don't sell it to them.

Ozzuk

Just build it into your rate...

comeandgo

You supply and wear all your own PPE. They are tax deductible expenses.

tea_lover

As a self-employed contractor you are responsible for providing PPE.

sjbrun

Are you sure you understand what being self employed is and what it means with tax and what you need to do and are responsible for like insurance etc?

gettingtheresometime

I don't know what the electrical equipment is but I'm guessing you have to provide it & as well as pope because if they do it looks as if they should be treating you as an employee.

paddyrg

To be honest you should get your own PPE anyway, and that goes even more for self-employed (employer provides - you're SELF employed!).

It's not expensive for a basic hi Viz/hard hat/steelies combo, but you can spend a bit more for your own comfort and safety. Sports Direct do Dunlop branded protective footwear including some steel toecap trainers, which are comfy. A heavy duty winter waterproof hiviz jacket may be £20, or spend a bit more and get 4 season waterproof fleece and jacket combo sets. Try Dickies for a nice range

And if you need more expensive/specialist PPE (riggers harness, for instance), you absolutely want to be buying your own quality, comfortable gear with certificates that you can simply trust to save your life.

dickydonkin

paddyrg wrote: »

It's not expensive for a basic hi Viz/hard hat/steelies combo, but you can spend a bit more for your own comfort and safety.

It's just a shame that many employers will only provide the cheapest and nastiest PPE to their employees, rather than spend a little more on quality that provides comfort and enhanced protection.

The reality is that it is actually more cost effective as the product will last longer and workers will be more likely to conform the mandatory requirement of wearing PPE if it is not causing discomfort.