Awareness-Level Lesson 4 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

Awareness Level4–2

Typical Components of PPE

• Respiratory equipment

• Protective clothing– Structural fire-fighting protective clothing– High-temperature protective clothing – Chemical protective clothing

Awareness Level4–3

What Appropriate PPE Protects

• Skin

• Eyes

• Face

• Hands

• Feet

• Body

• Head

• Respiratory system

(1 of 2)

Awareness Level4–4

What Appropriate PPE Protects

(2 of 2)

Awareness Level4–5

PPE and Hazardous Materials

• Structural fire-fighting and high-temperature protective clothing — Offer limited protection against chemical hazards

• Chemical-protective clothing — Offers protection against hazardous materials– Requires training above the first responder

Awareness Level

Awareness Level4–6

Requirements of PPE

• NFPA standards state requirements for personal protective equipment– Design– Certification– Testing

Awareness Level4–7

Structural Fire-Fighting Protective Clothing

• Provides protection from:– Heat– Moisture– Ordinary hazards associated with structural fire

fighting

Awareness Level4–8

Components of Structural Fire-Fighting Protective Clothing

• Helmet

• Coat

• Pants

• Boots

• Gloves

• Personal alert safety system (PASS) device

• Hood

Awareness Level4–9

Limitations of Structural Fire-Fighting Clothing

• Limited protection against hazardous materials– Neither corrosive-resistant nor vapor-tight– Gaps occur in clothing– Chemicals can be absorbed into the equipment– Rubber or neoprene in boots, gloves, and SCBA

facepieces can become permeated by chemicals and rendered unsafe for use

Awareness Level4–10

Structural Fire-Fighting Protective Clothing at Haz Mat Incidents

• Structural fire-fighting protective clothing is commonly used at haz mat incidents when the following conditions are met: – Contact with splashes of extremely hazardous

materials is unlikely– Total atmospheric concentrations do not contain

high levels of chemicals that are toxic by way of skin contact

– There is a chance of fire or there is a fire

Awareness Level4–11

Purpose of Chemical-Protective Clothing and Equipment

• To shield or isolate individuals from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered during haz mat operations

Awareness Level4–12

Types of CPC

• Liquid-splash protective clothing

• Vapor-protective clothing

Awareness Level4–13

CPC Combinations

• Single or multipiece garment

• Encapsulating

• Nonencapsulating

Awareness Level4–14

Selection of CPC

• Depends on specific chemical and on specific tasks

• Selection considerations:– Most CPC is impermeable to moisture– Garment’s permeation, degradation, and

penetration abilities– Service life

Awareness Level4–15

CPC Permeation

• Permeation — Occurs when a chemical passes through the CPC fabric on a molecular level

Chemical spill

Awareness Level4–16

CPC Degradation

• Degradation — Occurs when the characteristics of the material in use are altered through contact with chemical substances

(1 of 2)

Awareness Level4–17

CPC Degradation

An acid eating away the outer layers of structural fire-fighting protective clothing is an example of chemical degradation.

(2 of 2)

Awareness Level4–18

CPC Penetration

• Penetration — Occurs when there is an opening or a puncture in the protective material

(1 of 2)

Awareness Level4–19

CPC Penetration

Chemicals can penetrate PPE through gaps, tears, punctures, or other openings. (2 of 2)

Awareness Level4–20

CPC Service Life

• Reusable

• Limited use

• Disposable

Awareness Level4–21

CPC Written Management Program

• All emergency responders and organizations who routinely select and use CPC should establish a written CPC management program.

Awareness Level4–22

Positive-Pressure SCBA Components

• Facepiece

• Pressure regulator

• Compressed air cylinder

• Harness assembly

• End-of-service-time indicators

Awareness Level4–23

Advantages of Positive-Pressure SCBA

• Maintains air pressure inside the facepiece slightly higher than normal atmospheric pressure outside

• Independence

• Maneuverability

Awareness Level4–24

Disadvantages of Positive-Pressure SCBA

• Heavy weight of the units

• Limited air supply duration

• Change in profile that may hinder mobility

• Limited vision caused by facepiece fogging

• Limited communications if not equipped with a microphone or speaking diaphragm

Awareness Level4–25

Level D Ensembles

• Used for nuisance contamination and used only when no atmospheric hazards exist

• Provide no respiratory protection and minimal skin protection

• May not be worn in the hot zone

Awareness Level4–26

Level D Ensemble Components

• Consist of typical work uniforms, street clothing, or coveralls

• Includes items such as:– Gloves– Safety glasses– Boots– Hardhats

Awareness Level4–27

Level D Ensemble Use

• Atmosphere contains no hazard

• Work functions preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential for unexpected inhalation of or contact with hazardous levels of any chemicals

Awareness Level4–28

PPE Care and Inspection

• The user must take all steps to ensure that the protective ensemble performs as expected

• All PPE and respiratory equipment must be inspected on a routine basis

• Records must be kept of all inspection procedures

Awareness Level4–29

Summary

• Personal protective equipment is essential in emergency response. The type of PPE used depends on the specific incident. Typical PPE consists of respiratory equipment and either structural fire-fighting, high-temperature, or chemical-protective clothing.

• Structural fire-fighting clothing provides very limited protection against hazardous materials.

(1 of 3)

Awareness Level4–30

Summary

• Chemical-protective clothing provides protection against hazardous materials. No one type of CPC protects against all hazards.

• Positive-pressure SCBA is often used at incidents and has both advantages and disadvantages.

(2 of 3)

Awareness Level4–31

Summary

• Level D ensembles are typical work uniforms, street clothes, or coveralls and are only appropriate for nuisance contamination.

• PPE care and inspection is an important component in ensuring that PPE is properly maintained and safe for the user.

(3 of 3)

Awareness-Level Lesson 4 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.