Protecting Yourself

The overall objective is that participants will recognize techniques for ensuring functional correctness of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for chemical hazard protection as it applies to a fixed Facility

Overview

Worker protection strategiesTechniques for ensuring functional

correctness of PPE use for chemical hazard protection

The purpose and use of PPECare of PPE Decontamination procedures

Expectations

Define worker protection strategy Identify purpose and use of PPE Identify the major difference between the four EPA

levels of PPE List the limitations of chemical protective clothing Recognize the purpose of decontamination Recognize two major types of contamination Recognize factors that affect permeation Recognize three methods of decontamination

Personal Protective Equipment

Engineering controlsAdministrative controlsPurpose: “MATCH THE PROTECTION TO

THE HAZARD!”Function: Place an engineered barrier

between the worker and the hazardPPE MUST BE USED FOR ALL SPILL

RESPONSES

Personal Protective Equipment

Careful selection and use of

adequate PPE should protect the

respiratory system, skin, eyes, face,

hands, feet, head, body, and hearing

Chemical Protective Clothing

Criteria for selection Chemical resistance Durability Flexibility Temperature resistance Service and shelf life Cleanability Design Size Brightly colored suits

Definitions

Chemical resistance- Ability of protective materials to resist penetration, degradation, and permeation

Durability- Ability of the material to resist punctures, abrasions, tears, and other wear factors

Flexibility- Ability of the material to move with relative ease during work operations

Definitions

Temperature resistance- Ability of the material to maintain chemical resistance during temperature extremes (especially heat) and to maintain flexibility during cold temperatures

Service and shelf life- Ability of the material to resist aging and deterioration and the length of time the material can remain on the shelf and still be usable at manufactured specifications

Cleanability- Ability of the material to withstand decontamination and to release contact substances

Definitions

Design- Fully encapsulating versus multiple pieces; e.g., hoods, face pieces, gloves, boots, location of zippers, buttons, seams, pockets, etc

Size- Directly related to comfort Brightly colored suits- Aid in visual identification of

personnel. Darker colors absorb radiant heat from external sources and transfer it to the worker, increasing risk of heat-related problems

Selection of Chemical Protective Clothing

PermeationDegradationPenetration

Inspection Program

Is the clothing correct as specified in the job plan? Outer suit Inner and outer gloves Boots Seals

Inspection Program

Is the material in good condition? New or used Cuts Abrasions Pulls Tears

Inspection Program

Are seams, zippers, and buttons sound?

Are there any signs of chemical attack? Discoloration Softening Brittleness Cracking

Is specified gear holding up as designed?

EPA Recommended Guidelines

Levels of protection Level A - Moon suit Level B - Supplied air Level C- Full-face canister Level D- Coveralls

Level A

Highest level of respiratory, skin and eye protection

SCBA-type air-supplied respiratorFully encapsulating suit

Level B

Highest level of respiratory protection but limited skin protection

Chemical-resistant clothing