As of 13 August 2026, AI can only partly choose workplace PPE.

What to actually do

1. Hand it to a person

   The route this page recommends

   Someone with a licence or accountable authority has to sign this before it counts.

2. Use a tool built for this

   Second choice

3. Do it yourself

   The distant third

   A chat interface, power-user skill, and roughly 1 hour until you can act on the result.

   How to actually do it

   1. Open GOV.UK and HSE guidance on workplace risk assessment and PPE, then save the relevant pages alongside your existing risk assessments.
   2. Walk through each work area and write down the tasks, substances, machinery, energy sources, exposure routes, duration of exposure and people who may be affected.
   3. Gather current control measures, accident or near-miss records, existing PPE instructions, fit-test records, worker complaints and any prescription eyewear or facial-hair requirements.
   4. Paste the gathered information into the prompt and ask the model for the hazard-by-hazard PPE selection brief, missing information and supplier questions.
   5. For every proposed PPE item, open the manufacturer instructions and conformity documentation, then compare the stated protection, limitations, sizing, fit and maintenance requirements with the drafted brief.
   6. Ask a competent health and safety professional to inspect the work and confirm the risk assessment, PPE suitability, compatibility, fit-testing needs and arrangements for training, cleaning, storage and replacement.
   7. Send the confirmed specification to suppliers for written quotations and product documentation, then record the selected items, issue process, user training and review date in your workplace PPE records.

   Prompt

   Help me prepare a PPE selection brief for my UK business. This is not professional advice and must not be treated as final approval.
   
   Business and workplace: [describe the site, work areas and people exposed]
   Tasks: [describe each task, equipment, substances, materials, noise, dust, vapour, heat, impact, electricity, work at height or other exposure]
   Existing controls: [describe elimination, substitution, engineering controls, ventilation, guarding and safe systems of work]
   Existing risk assessment: [paste the relevant sections or state that none is available]
   Current PPE: [list items, specifications, limitations, complaints and fit issues]
   Users: [number and roles, including agency workers, visitors, pregnant workers or people with disabilities where relevant]
   Constraints: [compatibility, prescription glasses, facial hair, sizing, storage, cleaning, hygiene, duration of wear and procurement requirements]
   
   Produce:
   1. A hazard-by-hazard PPE shortlist, stating the hazard, body area, PPE type, required performance characteristics and when it must be worn.
   2. The controls that PPE cannot replace and any missing information that prevents a safe recommendation.
   3. Compatibility issues between items and fit, adjustment, facial hair, prescription eyewear, mobility and communication considerations.
   4. Questions to ask each supplier, including evidence of conformity, applicable UK requirements, manufacturer instructions, limitations, maintenance and replacement intervals.
   5. A verification table with columns for claim, source to check, person who should confirm it and pass or fail status.
   
   Use only information I provide and current UK sources that you can link to, prioritising GOV.UK, HSE and manufacturer documentation. Do not invent standards, certificates, product models, protection levels or test results. Do not approve the PPE for use. Mark every point that needs a competent health and safety professional or an on-site assessment.

   Open it prefilled in ChatGPT or Claude, or copy it into Gemini, which takes no prefill link.