As an employer, you have a lot of responsibility for all areas of your company. This also includes the health and safety of your employees and includes the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) if other protective measures are not sufficient. However, the use of PPE should regularly be the last possible measure in the so-called STOP principle. 

In this article, you will find out what the STOP principle actually involves, which measures should be taken first and what to look out for when selecting PPE. 

What is the STOP principle?

Let's first clarify what the STOP principle actually is. This principle is a fundamental strategy in the field of occupational health and safety that aims to minimise hazards in the workplace and maximise employee safety. The acronym STOP stands for the four stages of hazard control:

1. Substitution (S)This is the first and most effective step. The aim here is to replace hazardous materials or processes with less hazardous alternatives, i.e. to substitute them. For example, a toxic solvent could be replaced by a less harmful one.
2. Technical measures (T)If substitution is not possible, technical control measures should be taken. These include improvements to machines or systems, the installation of protective devices or the improvement of ventilation.
3. Organisational measures (O)This level refers to changes in work processes or conditions, such as the introduction of break regulations, the limitation of exposure time to hazardous (substances) or the training and instruction of employees.
4. Personal protective equipment (P)Only if the other three steps are not sufficient to minimise the risk is personal protective equipment (PPE) used. PPE refers to equipment such as helmets, gloves, goggles, hearing protection and respirators that are worn directly by the individual to protect themselves from hazards.

The STOP principle is closely linked to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) because PPE is seen as the last line of defence in the hierarchy of hazard control. The use of PPE comes into effect when the other methods (substitution, technical and organisational measures) are not sufficient to ensure the safety of employees. The principle emphasises that although PPE is important, it is better to eliminate or control hazards at source rather than relying solely on PPE for protection.

What is PPE?

As already indicated, PPE is the last bastion of the STOP principle. The term personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to all equipment and devices worn or used by employees to protect themselves from hazards. PPE therefore serves to protect the health and safety of employees and includes the following categories, among others:

• Respiratory protection
• Eye and face protection
• Foot and knee protection
• Hearing protection
• Hand protection
• Skin protection
• Head protection
• PPE against falls from a height
• PPE against drowning
• PPE for rescuing from heights and depths
• Protective clothing
• Cut and stab protection

It is important that the PPE meets the specific requirements and actually provides effective protection. Personal protective equipment should also be ergonomically designed and personalised so that all employees have their own individual protective equipment. Sharing PPE - such as gloves or protective masks - between employees can cause health risks and hygiene problems and should therefore always be avoided where possible, even though it may seem more cost-effective.

What is not considered PPE?

As you can see from the overview of the characteristics of personal protective equipment, not all work clothing is automatically personal protective equipment. The decisive factor here is the purpose of the clothing. Uniforms, for example, do not serve to protect against hazards, but rather for identification or corporate design purposes and therefore do not initially belong to PPE according to their purpose.

The 3 categories

The equipment components that form part of PPE are generally categorised into different risk levels. They are based on the hazard potential to which the employees are exposed and are broken down into their three categories below.

PPE category 1

This moderate category includes PPE that is worn for lower risks, such as

• Superficial mechanical injuries
• Contact with slightly aggressive cleaning agents
• Prolonged contact with water
• Low solar radiation
• Contact with hot surfaces below 50 °C

This category includes simple protective gloves, sunglasses and weatherproof clothing.

PPE category 2

This category includes PPE that offers protection against medium risks that cannot be categorised as category 1 or 3. Examples of this could be

• Safety helmets
• Safety shoes
• Hearing protection
• Safety goggles and visors
• Welding protection

PPE category 3

Category 3 is the highest and includes PPE for high risks that can cause serious or irreversible damage to health. This includes the following:

• Hazardous substances and mixtures
• Oxygen deficiency
• Ionising radiation
• Extreme temperatures (above 100 °C or below -50 °C)
• Crash risks
• Drowning
• Harmful noise

Examples of this category include respiratory masks, fall protection and special protective gloves.

Occupational health and safety regulations and PPE

When using personal protective equipment (PPE), employers must ensure that the products used comply with the legal requirements and safety standards. This involves CE labelling, GS labelling and the DGUV test.

The CE labelling is an essential European Union test mark that can be found on products such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and confirms that they fulfil the EU directives. Manufacturers are responsible for affixing the CE mark after internal or external testing and must provide technical documentation for product tracking in addition to the declaration of conformity. 

In contrast, the German GS mark ("Tested Safety"), which is voluntary and awarded by an independent body, making it particularly trustworthy. This seal confirms that a product has been tested for safety beyond the legal requirements, including ergonomic and health-related aspects. 

There is also the DGUV Test of the German Social Accident Insurance, which focuses specifically on occupational safety and comprehensively tests PPE so that it fulfils strict safety standards. This includes compliance with specific standards and requirements, with testing also carried out by independent experts.

Further requirements

In addition to the above-mentioned test marks, employers must also comply with other legal requirements and standards to ensure that PPE meets the highest safety requirements. In addition to other regulations, this includes, for example, the regular inspection of PPE for suitability for use and compliance with the manufacturer's instructions for the care and maintenance of the equipment.

Conclusion

Personal protective equipment is therefore not just a simple obligation in the workplace, but has what it takes to become a superhero cape in the world of occupational safety if used appropriately. 

It is the last line of defence in the STOP principle and represents real life insurance for employees in the event of an emergency. For employers, providing and maintaining PPE therefore means much more than simply fulfilling a duty; it is an opportunity to show responsibility and strengthen the trust of the workforce. By ensuring that all protective equipment complies with strict EU standards - recognisable by test seals such as CE, GS and DGUV - and that it is individually adapted and regularly maintained, you not only ensure safety, but also that everyone in the workplace feels protected and valued. That's real care in action!

FAQs

What does the list of personal protective equipment (PPE) include?

The list of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes various protective measures that contribute to the safety and health of employees. This includes respiratory protection, eye and face protection, foot and knee protection, hearing protection, hand protection, skin protection, head protection, protective clothing, PPE against falls from a height, PPE against drowning and PPE for rescuing from heights and depths.

What does the PPE Occupational Health and Safety Act say?

The PPE Occupational Health and Safety Act obliges employers to provide suitable personal protective equipment if other measures are not sufficient to avert danger. PPE must comply with EU directives and be regularly tested to ensure it is in good working order. Employers may not pass on the costs of providing PPE to employees.

When does PPE need to be replaced?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be replaced if it is damaged or its protective effect is no longer guaranteed. Regular inspections and adherence to the manufacturer's instructions regarding service life are crucial. Damage such as cracks, worn parts or loss of function must be reported immediately and the affected PPE replaced.

Who pays for the costs of the PPE?

The costs for personal protective equipment (PPE) are borne by the employer. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the PPE Utilisation Ordinance, employers are obliged to provide, maintain and, if necessary, replace the necessary PPE at no cost to the employees.