# S5. Tools, PPE and what you have to buy vs what they provide
1. THE SHORT VERSION
You shouldn't be buying half the stuff people tell you to. By law, they must provide and pay for most PPE that protects you from site risks – not you.
2. WHAT COUNTS AS "PPE" (THEIR JOB)
PPE is anything you wear to protect you from a risk on that job.
- Hard hats, safety boots, hi‑vis.
- Safety goggles, face shields, ear defenders or plugs.
- Cut‑resistant or chemical gloves, disposable overalls, waterproofs if they're for the job.
- Fall‑arrest harnesses, lanyards, work‑positioning gear.
- Respiratory protection (dust masks, half‑mask respirators, powered RPE).
If it protects you from a hazard on their job, that's PPE.
3. WHAT THEY LEGALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE (AND PAY FOR)
Under the PPE at Work Regs and HSWA, if there's a risk that needs PPE, your employer (or the contractor in control) must:
- Do a risk assessment and decide what PPE is needed.
- Provide suitable PPE free of charge – no charging you, no "bring your own or don't work".
- Make sure it fits, is CE/UKCA marked, and is looked after, cleaned and replaced when damaged.
- Show you how to use it properly and when to wear it.
Since 2022, this includes many "limb (b)" and casual workers, not just full employees – if you're effectively working for them, PPE still has to be free.
4. WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTED TO OWN YOURSELF
There's a grey line between "basic kit you bring" and "PPE they must provide". In practice on most sites:
You usually bring:
- Your own basic work clothes (t‑shirts, work trousers).
- Your own hand tools for your trade (hammer, trowels, hand saws, hand drivers), unless agreed otherwise.
They usually provide (and should pay for):
- Site‑specific PPE and anything tied to their risk assessment (hard hats, hi‑vis, specialist gloves, hearing protection, RPE, harnesses, etc.).
Lots of firms still "expect" you to buy your own boots and hard hat. Strictly, if it's PPE for their work, the legal duty and cost sits with them, but many operatives choose to have their own kit so they're not stuck.
5. TOOLS – WHO BUYS WHAT IN REAL LIFE
There's no specific "tool law" like there is for PPE, but common practice is:
- Power tools, plant and access equipment (drills, breakers, saws, MEWPs, telehandlers, scaffolds) are normally supplied, maintained and inspected by the employer/contractor.
- You should not be pressured to use your own untested kit for heavy or high‑risk work just to save them money.
- If they ask you to bring your own power tools, they should still make sure they're safe (PAT tested, guards in place, right voltage).
- Hand tools are often your own, but anything that needs inspection, tagging or specialist training should really be theirs.
6. WELFARE AND "EXTRAS"
CDM says welfare is on them, not you.
- They must provide toilets, washing, drinking water, somewhere to eat and rest, and usually somewhere to change and store gear.
- You shouldn't be buying your own loo access or paying extra just to get basic welfare.
- You might bring your own flask and lunch because it's easier, but that's your choice – not a legal get‑out for them.
7. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH PPE THEY GIVE YOU
Your side of the deal is simple:
- Wear it when and how you've been told.
- Look after it – don't trash it for fun, don't "borrow" someone else's.
- Report if it's damaged, missing, doesn't fit or doesn't seem up to the job.
- Don't swap proper PPE for cheap substitutes just because they're comfier.
If something's wrong with the PPE and you say nothing, you carry more of the risk.
8. RED FLAGS: WHEN THEY'RE TAKING THE MICK
Watch for:
- "We don't supply PPE – you buy your own hard hat, boots, glasses, everything." Straight against guidance – PPE for their risks should be free.
- Charging you for PPE out of your wages or day rate. Law says no charge for PPE needed for work.
- No replacement when PPE is worn, damaged or out of date.
- Expecting you to use your own power tools because theirs are knackered or untested.
If you're paying for everything and they're doing nothing, that's a sign they're cutting corners elsewhere too.
9. PRACTICAL LINE IN THE SAND
If you want a simple rule to work to:
- You: bring your basic workwear and normal hand tools.
- Them: provide, pay for and maintain PPE and high‑risk kit needed for their job and their risks.
If you're being told to buy or replace PPE that only exists because of their risk assessment, you're being asked to carry their legal cost.
10. IF YOU'RE GETTING STUNG NOW
- Start small: "My PPE is worn out – can you replace it? HSE says PPE needed for the job should be provided free."
- If they refuse, ask who in the company actually owns PPE and safety (H&S manager, contracts manager) and raise it there.
- If you're being charged for PPE or punished for asking, union support or HSE advice is worth a look.
WHO PAYS FOR WHAT – THE HONEST VERSION
Their legal duty - PPE and welfare they must provide free
| Item | Who usually pays on site | What this really means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Hard hat | Often them, sometimes you | If the site is "hard hat area", it's their legal PPE duty. Many still expect you to own one, but the law backs you if you push. |
| Hi‑vis vest/jacket | Usually them | If they want you visible around plant/traffic, they should supply hi‑vis as PPE. |
| Safety glasses / goggles | Them | You shouldn't be buying your own eye protection because they won't stock any. |
| Task‑specific gloves (cut‑resistant, chemical, etc.) | Them | If the job needs special gloves, they choose and supply them. General work gloves are often treated the same. |
| Hearing protection | Them | If the noise level needs plugs/defenders, they provide and replace them. |
| Respiratory protection (RPE) | Them | They must choose suitable RPE, fit‑test where needed and maintain it. You shouldn't be guessing with cheap dust masks. |
| Harnesses, lanyards, fall‑arrest kit | Them | High‑risk PPE with inspections and records – should be theirs to manage. |
| Disposable coveralls / chemical suits | Them | If the substance is their risk, the protective clothing is their cost. |
| Welfare (toilets, wash, drinking water, rest area) | Them | They must provide welfare. You don't pay for basic facilities. |
Your kit - stuff you're expected to bring
| Item | Who usually pays on site | What this really means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Basic work clothes (t‑shirts, trousers, hoodies) | You | Treated as normal clothing. You supply it. |
| Safety boots | Often you in practice | Most workers buy their own boots, but if boots are mandatory for their risk assessment, the law says PPE should be free. Culture lags the law here. |
| Trade‑specific workwear (e.g. knee‑pad trousers) | Usually you | Most people treat this as personal gear, unless a specific risk assessment says otherwise. |
| Hand tools for your trade (hammer, trowels, hand saws) | Usually you | Most trades own their own hand tools. Some employers provide basics – that's down to agreement, not law. |
Tools, plant and access - depends on the job
| Item | Who usually pays on site | What this really means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Power tools (drills, breakers, saws) | Bigger jobs: often them. Small/domestic: often you bring your own. | Contract/business choice more than strict law. If they insist you use your own tools, they still carry duties around safe use on their job. |
| Plant (MEWPs, telehandlers, excavators) | Them | Always theirs to supply and control. You might operate, but you don't provide the machine. |
| Access equipment (scaffolds, towers, podiums) | Them | Part of providing a safe place to work. You should not be expected to "bring your own tower". |
WHAT TO DO NEXT
- Before starting any job, ask who is supplying PPE and what is mandatory on this site.
- If they tell you to buy your own PPE for their risks, push back politely - the law is on your side.
- Report any damaged, worn or missing PPE straight away and ask for a replacement.
- Keep receipts for any tools or PPE you buy yourself - you may be able to claim them as expenses.
- If PPE charging or supply keeps being a problem, speak to your union or contact HSE for advice.
SOURCES
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2966
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/51
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