In Italy, with the coming into force of Decree-Law No. 159 of 31 October 2025, converted into Law No. 198 of 29 December 2025, the legislator has addressed the issue of safety in the workplace by underscoring a central principle of prevention: the protection of workers also hinges on a well-organised and ongoing management of personal protective equipment.
Decree-Law 159/2025 clarifies that the obligation to maintain protective equipment in good working order and hygienic conditions does not apply solely to PPE in the strict sense. It also includes workwear that serves a protective function, including health and hygiene protective items. This provision promotes a more substantial interpretation of safety, going beyond approaches whereby the use of PPE is viewed as a separate issue from its management over time.
The key change introduced with the Safety Decree lies in the amendment to Article 77(4)(a) of the Consolidated Act on health and safety in the workplace (Legislative Decree 81/2008). As was customary at the time, the provision treated ordinary workwear and clothing designed to protect workers from health and safety hazards as distinct matters.
The legislator made it clear that clothing acting as a veritable protective barrier cannot be cannot treated as mere workwear: employers are required to manage it according to the principles governing PPE, making sure it is properly maintained and kept in a hygienic condition (through maintenance, repairs and replacements).
The principle clarified by the Safety Decree is directly linked to the obligations already imposed on employers, who are responsible not only for supplying PPE, but also for ensuring that the equipment remains in good working order and hygienic conditions at all times.
Accordingly, maintenance cannot be viewed as an ancillary or occasional activity, rather it becomes an integral part of the prevention system. The explicit extension of this obligation to protective clothing underscores the notion that safety requirements are not exhausted at the time of purchase or delivery, but rather call for ongoing monitoring throughout the equipment’s lifecycle.
Of special interest is an aspect linked to the Risk Assessment Document (RAD). The coordination between the Safety Decree and the Consolidated Act confirms that the maintenance of PPE and protective clothing must be:
From this perspective, safety is viewed as an ongoing process. It extends from equipment selection and methods of use to maintenance activities and the long-term preservation of effectiveness and hygienic conditions.
From an operational standpoint, the clarification introduced by the Safety Decree requires greater attention to the overall management of protective clothing. Such clothing can no longer be treated as mere ancillary equipment. Companies are required to ensure that protective clothing is included in their prevention procedures, in keeping with risk assessment results and the provisions set out in the RAD.
In particular, maintenance and hygiene conditions are regarded as structural factors of protection. Consequently, they must be planned and monitored over time in the same way as other items of PPE. This clarification strengthens the culture of safety and promotes a more informed and integrated approach to worker protection.
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