An apparatus is proposed for applying and removing protective caps (1) to and from the ends of elongate members (6). The protective cap (1) has a hard base portion (5) and a cover portion (2) of flexible, resilient material, extending from the base portion (5) and operative to cover a portion of an outer surface of the elongate member (6). The apparatus comprises: a gripping mechanism (44) operative to grip the hard base portion (5) of the protective cap (1); a drive mechanism, connected to the gripping mechanism (44), operative to move the protective cap (1) to and from the end of the elongate member (6); and a tool operative to perform at least one of the operations of (i) unfurling the cover portion to secure it to the outer surface of the elongate member, (ii) furling the cover portion to detach it from the outer surface of the elongate member.