PPE is used extensively in the marine industry and the Directive from Europe covers everything from hard hats, welding goggles and fall arrest gear to the personal rescue, fire protection and buoyancy devices worn by people working on ships and offshore rigs, whether in dock or at sea.

Among the key changes in the new PPE Directive is a proposal to give the European PPE Standing Committee increased powers to change which protection Category certain types of products fall into. Category 3 PPE is defined as equipment intended to protect against the risk of mortal danger while Category 1 PPE protects against minimal risks. Everything else is deemed to be Category 2.

From 2004, hearing protection and head protection products are expected to become Category 3 products. If this change is agreed, manufacturers of these items will need to have an audited quality control system in place in future to continue to produce, distribute and market their products.

Explained Geoff Hooke, the BSIF's Secretary General: 'The implications for manufacturers supplying their products to the marine industry are profound and they need to be aware of what is going on. For the end user, these changes could increase the cost of the equipment used by a crew while working on board ship.'

As Lead Association for the PPE Directive in the UK, the BSIF is inviting industry to put forward its views and thoughts on the forthcoming legislation. It will then present a collective view on the proposed changes to the European Standing Committee.

In addition, a special Industrial Liaison Meeting will be staged by the BSIF in Spring 2003 to discuss the new UK PPE Regulations. These were published as Statutory Instrument 2002:1144 and came into force on 15 May 2002.

The new regulations set out the specific penalties and offences for contravening PPE legislation now faced by manufacturers, importers and distributors of PPE equipment.

Under the new regulations a successful prosecution can carry a six-month jail sentence and a £10,000 fine.

Added Geoff Hooke: 'We will be advising both our members and industry at large on the implications of the recent changes in these regulations.

In the meantime, if anyone requires any further information on either the new PPE Directive draft or the latest PPE Regulations, they should contact the BSIF Information Desk on 01745 585600."

Full details and a copy of the PPE Regulations can be obtained from the HMSO Website www. hmso. gov. uk/stat. htm.