Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

FACTORS AFFECTING CHEMICAL RESISTANCE1. Length of exposure time• thin materials for one application

– disposable

FACTORS AFFECTING CHEMICAL RESISTANCE2. Exposure situation• depends on task, sharp or rough

objects

FACTORS AFFECTING CHEMICAL RESISTANCE3. Type of chemical• Some are corrosive

CHEMICAL RESISTANT MATERIALS

Materials NOT resistent:• cotton• leather• canvas

CHEMICAL RESISTANT MATERIALS

• rubber or plastic• non-woven fabric

PROTECTING SKIN

• most exposure• long-sleeved shirt and long-legged

pants

PROTECTING SKIN

Body

Coveralls• clothes underneath• loose to provide air

layers

PROTECTING SKIN

Body

Chemical-resistant suit• chemical is very hazardous• “rain suit”• heat stress

PROTECTING SKIN

Body

Chemical-resistant apron• mixing and loading

PROTECTING SKIN

Hand and Foot

Gloves• hands and forearms• whenever handling pesticides• if working overhead or below to

wear glove in or out of suit

PROTECTING SKIN

Hand and Foot

• exposure occurs when gloves removed briefly– adjusting equipment– scratching face

• always wash gloves before removed

Hand and Foot

• Latex for minor handling and single use

PROTECTING SKIN

PROTECTING SKIN

Hand and Foot

Footwear• Chemical-resistant shoes• Not canvas, cloth, and leather

– Unless shoe covers

PROTECTING SKIN

Head and Neck

• Working overhead wide-brim resistant

• Greenhouse or trees• Hood is for drift from booms

PROTECTING EYES

• goggles, safety glasses, or face shield

• shield in addition to goggles during mixing

PROTECTING RESPIRTORY

Respiratory protection - must be NIOSH and MSHA approved

• enclosed area• long period of exposed

Air-supplying Respirator

air-supplying - air is from independent source– oxygen supply is low– fumigation

• supplied - limited by the length of hose

• self-containing - canister of air, 30 - 45 minutes

Air-purifying Respirator

air-purifying - filter contaminants• dusts, mists, gases and vapors

Cartridges1. dust/mist-filtering• replace filters when difficult to

breathe

Air-purifying Respirator

Cartridges2. vapor-removing material

– Activated charcoal

• change when noticing odor or taste• replace after 8 hours use

Air-purifying Respirator

Air-purifying Respirator

Non-powered air-purifying respirator• require operator to draw air

through filters• exhausting

Air-purifying Respirator

Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)

• assist operator in drawing air• not air-supplying

Air-purifying Respirator

Face-sealing respirators• tight seal

– no facial hair

• full-face styles better than half-face

Air-purifying Respirator

Face-sealing respirators• fit test: testing whether operator

can detect substance• fit check:

– #1, close inlet, breathe in, hold 10 seconds with mask collapsed

– #2, cover outlet and exhale until mask inflates

Air-purifying Respirator

Loose-fitting respirators• Pump through filter into helmet or

hood– Facial hair allowed

MAINTAINING PPE

Disposables: not be washed• latex gloves• shoe covers• non-woven coveralls• cartridges and filters

MAINTAINING PPE

Reusable: reused several times• rubber and plastic equipment

MAINTAINING PPE

Reusable gloves• holes (ballooning)• replace gloves after 5 to 7 days of

work– heavy-duty: 10 to 14 days

MAINTAINING PPE

• fabric coveralls: clean after every use

• throw away if drenched with chemical labeled “DANGER” or “WARNING”

MAINTAINING PPE

Cleaning equipment• detergent and hot water• sanitize: 2 minutes in 2 tbs bleach

in one gallon of hot water then rinse

MAINTAINING PPE

Personal equipment• wash clothes in hot water separate

from regular laundry• Dry outdoors

– Sunlight