Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification Exam!

Employers are required by law to supply respiratory protective equipment (RPE) free of charge when it is needed to protect the health and safety of their employees. This is stipulated under the Health and Safety at Work Act and subsequent regulations, which require that employers ensure adequate measures are in place to prevent exposure to hazardous substances, including airborne contaminants. Providing RPE helps ensure that employees have the necessary equipment to perform their jobs safely, particularly in environments where they may be exposed to harmful dust, gases, or vapors.

While employees may have the ability to purchase RPE for personal use or convenience, the primary responsibility rests on employers to provide appropriate protective equipment without cost, reinforcing the obligation to prioritize worker safety. This aligns with the principles of risk management in occupational health, ensuring that individuals are adequately protected from potential hazards in the workplace. The other options suggest scenarios where the responsibility is incorrectly placed on the employee rather than the employer, which does not align with legal requirements and best practices in workplace safety.