Personal Protection Equipment
Too often, protective clothing and equipment is cumbersome, ill fitting and uncomfortable, especially in Australia's hot climate. However, this is a small consideration when you think of the potential risks. In excess of ninety per cent of accidental absorption of chemicals occurs through the skin, so the simple message is "cover up".
Importance of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Too often the hazards of chemicals are taken lightly or ignored completely, to the extent that the wearing of protective clothing and equipment is minimal or non-existent.
We often hear statements like 'It is sissy to observe precautions' and 'I've used this stuff for thirty years without fancy gear and it's never bothered me'. This statement might be correct but what of the next thirty years?
Possibly the body will become more sensitive to chemicals, poisons slowly accumulating and causing health problems (which often are not immediately attributed to chemical poisoning). We are only beginning to realize some of the damage we have caused by using chemicals indiscriminately.
The recommended minimum protective clothing and equipment necessary for dealing with a particular product is stated on the product label and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Generally the degree of protection required will be relative to the degree of hazard presented by a particular product.
Choosing the appropriate PPE
What protective clothing and equipment is necessary? This depends on the chemical being used, but the manufacturer’s directions should be used as a guide.
The recommended minimum protective clothing and equipment necessary for dealing with a particular product is stated on the product label and MSDS. Generally the degree of protection required will be relative to the degree of hazard presented by a particular product.
Common PPE items
There are many PPE items however, we will mention some of the ones that you are most likely to come across in most animal care workplaces.
Boots
Boots must not be able to absorb moisture or chemical. PVC or rubber boots are suitable. Leather boots are also acceptable unless recommended otherwise in the MSDS.
Gloves
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Gloves must be chemical-resistant and should be close-fitting to allow maximum sensitivity, necessary for fiddly jobs such as unscrewing small bottle lids.
For most jobs sleeves should be worn on the outside of gloves to prevent liquid from running down the sleeves into the gloves.
When working with hands and arms overhead, sleeves should be tucked into the gloves, with the cuff of the gloves turned up to catch any chemical that might run down the gloves.
Hats
Parts of the head absorb chemicals readily, so adequate head protection is vital. Protection for the head can be provided by a hood on chemical-resistant coveralls. A hat usually only protects the scalp and if the hat is not chemically-resistant, you run the risk of exposure to chemicals.
So-called "agricultural hoods" incorporating a half face respirator are effective head coverings but if made from a "non breathable" material they become very hot and air often condenses on the visor thus obscuring vision.
Goggles
Goggles are necessary to ensure eye protection from splash during mixing or pouring. Ensure that your goggles are rated ’chemical resistant’.
Face shields
Face shields are a means of protecting the whole face during handling operations that pose a high risk. These operations include opening chemical containers, mixing chemicals and decanting them. Cleaning up chemical spills may necessitate the wearing of a face shield.
Ensure that your face shield is chemical resistant. Goggles can be worn under the face shield for extra eye-protection.
Aprons
Aprons are an excellent added protection from splashes on clothing when handling chemicals during mixing, pouring and decanting. The apron should be of chemical resistant material and washable, preferably PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
If they are chemical resistant and worn over coveralls, covering chest to boots, aprons provide excellent added protection when handling pesticide concentrate, such as during mixing and decanting.
Overalls and coveralls
Cotton overalls buttoned at neck and wrist offer basic protection to arms, legs and trunk but have severe limitations. They are not water and chemical proof, so should not be used in situations where they are likely to become wet with spray. If visible wetting of overalls occurs either from spray or spillage of concentrate, they should be removed immediately and replaced. Trouser legs should be worn outside boots to prevent any product from running down the leg and into the boot.
Chemical resistant PVC coveralls incorporating a hood provide protection against spray mist and spillage of concentrate but they are heavy and become very uncomfortable in warm weather. Modern coveralls designed for use with pesticides are lightweight and the "breathe" without allowing pesticides to penetrate. They are available in both disposable and washable form.
Remember: Disposable clothing is designed to be disposed of regularly (and strictly after exposure to chemical). If you re-use this clothing you may be compromising your safety.
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External applications
Handle all concentrated chemicals carefully, particularly insecticides. Wear full clothing, rubber gloves and a mask.
Observe mixing instructions as detailed on the label. Double-strength can mean double trouble!
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Dams can cause toxicity if they are contaminated with chemicals, fungi or algae.
Maintaining and storing PPE
Cotton clothing such as overalls, should always be changed daily or whenever it becomes damp or wet with chemicals.
Protective clothing and equipment should be for personal use only and not shared with others. It is important to allocate specific storage facilities for personal protective clothing and equipment. Pesticide sheds and lunch rooms are not suitable storage areas. Steel, vented, lockable clothing lockers are good storage facilities. They usually have hanging space for protective suits and a shelf for items such as gloves and respirators.
Disposing of PPE
Clothing advertised as being protective and disposable is often the subject of questions like "How many times should it be used before I dispose of it?" The big problem is, that if contamination is not visible - such as during a correct spraying operation when no obvious wetting of clothing has occurred - it is often assumed that the clothing has not been contaminated and it can be reused many times.
If you adopt this strategy you may be risking your health. The degree of risk obviously will depend on how hazardous the product is and how you are using it. Risk will be minimised if disposable clothing is disposed of after each job or immediately it becomes wet with chemical concentrate or mixture.
Maintaining respirator masks
Particular attention must be paid to the cleaning and maintenance of respirator masks. If the filter cartridges are to be reused, they should be removed from the mask and at most, wiped over with a damp cloth. Cartridges will become unserviceable if they are soaked in water.
Once the cartridges are removed, the respirator mask should be soaked in warm water and detergent, rinsed in clean water and allowed to dry.
Before storage, check that the inhalation and exhalation valves are in good condition and fitting properly, the valves are in good condition and fitting properly, the straps are in good condition and the body is not split or punctured.
After cleaning, a respirator mask should be stored inside a clean plastic bag. If filter cartridges are to be re-used they also should be sealed in a clean plastic bag or airtight container.
Contaminated clothing
Contaminated cotton clothing should be kept damp until it is laundered. Some chemicals become very difficult to neutralise and remove from fabric once it has been allowed to neutralise and remove from fabric once it has been allowed to dry.
Heavily contaminated clothing should be discarded and disposed of properly. Washable protective clothing designed for use with chemicals should be thoroughly hosed down after use, then washed using hot water and detergent.
Clothing that becomes contaminated can simply be carefully rinsed in clean water and placed in a plastic bag to keep it damp. Contaminated clothing must always be laundered separately.
Ways to launder contaminated clothing are as follows:
· shake out excess chemicals or pre-rinse garments
· pre-treat with recommended detergents
· wash garments separate from all other clothing
· don’t overload washing machine
· use full water level
· use water 140 degrees or hotter
· use heavy duty wash cycle
· rinse twice
· dry garment on a clothes line in the fresh air
· clean washing machine by running a complete wash cycle before using for domestic garments
Remember, although PPE offers protection, they do not eliminate the need to maintain safe practices when using chemicals.
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© NSW DET 2007