Construction union UCATT are warning that selling life-saving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through vending machines risks workers safety and could breach legislation.

The union's warning came after it was reported that Barr Construction had begun selling PPE to sub-contractors through vending machines rather than supplying it free of charge.

Charging for protective equipment is directly contrary to the 1992 regulations on PPE which state: "Personal Protective Equipment is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways” and “an employer cannot ask for money from an employee for PPE, whether it is returnable or not."

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The rules also apply to agency workers if they are legally regarded as your employees.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This appears to be yet another instance of construction companies trying to cut corners when it comes to safety. UCATT officials all too frequently have to deal with companies and agencies who try to avoid their responsibility to supply the correct PPE. The failure to supply the correct PPE compromises workers' safety."

VendEase who supply the vending machines have described the installation of PPE dispensing vending machines as a "cost neutral solution to the often expensive obligation of providing essential safety gear".

UCATT also believes that having to rely on a vending machine will lead to workers purchasing ill-fitting PPE, or they will not have the correct PPE for their specific task. Poorly fitting PPE can increase accidents and lead to workers being injured.

Mr Murphy added: "Poorly fitting PPE is almost as dangerous as not having the correct equipment. Companies must take safety seriously and ensure that the right PPE is supplied."

(CD)