definition: personal protective equipment - means all equipment worn or held by the worker to protect him against one or more threats related to the emergence of hazardous or harmful agents in the work environment, also including all accessories and additions designated for this purpose provision of personal protective equipment to employees free of charge to protect them from the actions of agents that are hazardous or damaging to the health in the working environment (article 237 6 § 1 of the Labour Code) informing workers on the methods of using this equipment (article 237 6 § 1 of the Labour Code) personal protective equipment must satisfy the requirements of the assessment of conformity (as specified in the act of 30 August 2002 on the system for assessing conformity, Journal of Laws no. 166, item 1360) and the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 9 January 2002 on the basic requirements of personal protective equipment. (Journal of Laws No. 4, item 37 of 2002, as amended. Journal of Laws No. 231 item 1947 of 2002). the employer may not permit a worker to work without personal protective equipment that is anticipated for use in a given work post the employer is obliged to ensure that the personal protective equipment used has protective and usage properties; the employer is obliged to ensure that personal protective equipment is laundered, maintained, dusted and decontaminated examples of personal protective equipment protection of the head: safety helmets equipment protecting from falling from altitude: equipment comprising three components, i.e. safety harness, auto-braking device and safety lanyard attached to a permanent anchorage point protection of the eyes and face: goggles, welding masks protection of the hands: protective gloves when exposed to e.g. sparking, splashing of molten metals, low temperature, water, scraping of the skin, sharp, abrasive or hot materials protection of the feet: boots, in conditions of exposure to mechanical injuries, e.g. crushing of the toes, piercing of the feet, sparks, hot splashing of metals, low temperature, slippage protection of the ears: ear stops, ear muffs, noise-reduction helmets equipment for protecting the respiratory system: dust masks, filtration and absorption masks, air helmets protective clothing: anoraks, capes, rain coats, leather aprons, dust resistant overalls.

The list of threats and types of work which requires the use of personal protective equipment is contained in the Resolution of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 11 June 2002 amending the resolution on the occupational safety and health regulations (Journal of Laws no. 91, item 811).