General guidelines on PPE maintenance and cleaning 

• Inspect PPE periodically for signs of damage or wear. If PPE is damaged or worn, it should be replaced immediately. 
• Clean PPE after every use. This can be done with soap and water, a mild detergent, or a disinfectant solution. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your specific PPE. 
• Store PPE in a clean, dry place. Avoid storing PPE in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. 

Guidelines for maintaining and cleaning different types of PPE 

Hard hats 

• Inspect hard hats for cracks, dents, or other signs of damage. 
• Clean hard hats with soap and water or a mild detergent. 
• Store hard hats in a cool, dry place. 

Safety glasses 

• Inspect safety glasses for scratches, cracks, or other signs of damage. 
• Clean safety glasses with soap and water or a mild detergent. 
• Store safety glasses in a case to protect them from scratches. 

Respirators 

• Inspect respirators for tears, cracks, or other signs of damage. 
• Clean respirators according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Store respirators in a clean, dry place. 

Gloves 

• Inspect gloves for tears, holes, or other signs of damage. 
• Clean gloves with soap and water or a mild detergent. 
• Store gloves in a cool, dry place. 

Footwear 

• Inspect footwear for cracks, breaks, or other signs of damage. 
• Clean footwear with soap and water or a mild detergent. 
• Store footwear in a cool, dry place. 

Factors to keep in mind when maintaining and cleaning PPE 

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining your PPE. 
• Use mild cleaning solutions and avoid using harsh chemicals which can damage PPE. 
• Allow PPE to dry completely before storing it. 

• Train employees on how to properly maintain and clean their PPE. 
• Keep PPE clean and dry. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, which can irritate the skin and cause infections. 
• Store PPE in a well-ventilated area. This will help to prevent moisture from accumulating and causing damage. 
• Inspect PPE regularly for signs of wear and tear and replace damaged PPE promptly. 
• Employees should be educated on how to inspect, clean, and store their PPE properly. 

By following these tips, employers and employees can help ensure PPE is safe and effective. 

The iProtectU health and safety software provides: 

• An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report 
• eLearning on a wide range of EHS topics including PPE 
• Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance 
• Risk assessment templates covering PPE requirements 
• Management system to document control the policy on PPE requirement 
• Method Statement module for the creation of various working instructions 
• Legal register that provides legislation guidance on PPE use  
• Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving PPE both with an app and via desktop 
• Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding PPE to the organisation 
• Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software