PPE Protection

Equipment to protect the body against contact with known or anticipated toxic chemicals has been divided into four categories according to the degree of protection afforded  

The level of protection selected should be based on (1) the type and measured concentration of the chemical substance in the ambient atmosphere and its toxicity, and (2) the potentials for exposure to substances in air, splashes of liquids, or other direct contact with material while doing work. In situations where the type of chemical, concentration, and possibilities of contact are not known, the appropriate level of protection must be selected based on professional experience and judgment until the hazards can be better identified. This may require a person to suit up in a Level A or B PPE and investigate/test the atmosphere/area to determine the hazard level. 

This is the highest level of breathing and skin protection. In other words, it is whole body protection. Typical personal protective equipment consists of  

When would Level A protection be worn What follows is a partial list of conditions that warrant suiting up in PPE to Level A protection. 

Personal protective equipment required for Level B protection includes  

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PCO PCR PPE PROTECT Photocatalytic oxidation Polymerase chain reaction Personal protective equipment Program for Response Options and Technological Enhancements... 

Closely follow approved work procedures and hazard controls. Review information from other chemical safety resources. Check with your facility s chemical safety personnel. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Protect the chemical from shock, friction or heating. 

Primary barriers - Class 1 or n BCSs or oth physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents PPEs -protective lab clothing gloves, respiratory protection is needed... 

PPE protecting from electrocution Protection from electrocution 0.34 ... 

Make a iist of any PPE which you have used at work. What was this PPE protecting you from ... 

PPE Protective laboratory clothing, gloves, face, eye and respiratory protection, as needed... 

Personal protective equipment is an essential protection for many hazards. However, PPE protection may not be sufficient. There are several factors that prevent PPE adequacy. One problem is effectiveness. One must have the right equipment for the hazard. Another problem is fit. Poor fit may result in inadequate protection. A third problem is use. Users must wear the personal protective equipment, even though the hazard it protects against is not always present. 

Note The following appendices serve as non-mandatory guidelines to assist employees and employers in complying with the appropriate requirements of this section. However paragraph 1926.65(g) makes mandatory in certain circumstances the use of Level A and Level B PPE protection. 

This appendix sets forth information about personal protective equipment (PPE) protection levels which may be used to assist employers in complying with the PPE requirements of this section. 

The more that is known about the hazards at the site, the easier the job of PPE selection becomes. As more information about the hazards and conditions at the site becomes available, the site supervisor can make decisions to up-grade or down-grade the level of PPE protection to match the tasks at hand. 

Level A mandates the highest level of PPE protection by requiring a technician to don a totally encapsulating chemical protective suit. 

In general, the greater the level of PPE protection, the greater the level of associated risks. For any given situation, equipment and clothing that is selected should provide an adequate level of protection. Over protection as well as under protection can be hazardous and should be avoided. 

PPE protects the respiratory system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body, or hearing from chemical, physical, and biological hazards. No single combination of protective clothing and equipment can protect a person from all hazards. To be effective, the selection and use of PPE must be appropriate and accompanied by adequate training. Each plant should have a PPE program which includes... 

Sampling spills. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) Follow proper sampling procedures Use safe sampling design CCPS G-22 CCPS G-23 CCPS G-29 Lovelace 1979... 

Operator exposure Charge liquids and solids materials by means of a to fumes or inerts. closed system (e.g., hard piping, hopper and rotary airlock, screw feeder, double-dump valve system, etc.) Provide local ventilation Use proper personnel protective equipment (PPE) ACGIH 1986 CCPS G-22 CCPS G-23 CCPS G-29... 

Material solidifies Monitor and control temperature in feed system or is too viscous, Heat trace and/or insulate lines and plugs lines. Potential for proper line break procedures exposure while Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correcting, proper lockout-tagout and confined space problem. entry procedures CCPS G-23 CCPS G-29 Fisher 1990... 

Physical stress induced by Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). 

Where possible design process and/or restructure job/tasks to reduce need for personal protection equipment (PPE)... 

Degradation of personal protection equipment (PPE) between uses. 

Did any chemical used/produced m the process require use of special personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling ... 

Figure 5.3 COSHH assessment procedure PPE = Personal Protective Equipment RPE = Respiratory Protective Equipment...

Cutaneous Cutaneous relates to or affects the skin. The term subcutaneous refers to being below the skin (as in a penetrating injury or injection). Use your MSDS to determine the required personal protective equipment (PPE) that you must use. Protecting the skin (with gloves, aprons, coveralls, face masks, etc.) is important. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. 

Dermal Toxicity Dermal toxicity is the ability of a substance to poison people or animals by contact with the skin. Toxic materials absorb through the skin to various degrees depending on their chemical composition and whether they are dissolved in a solvent. Always wear proper personal protection equipment (PPE), such as gloves and aprons, when working with a toxic (or nontoxic) substance that can be absorbed through the skin. 

When working with chemicals that have target organ effects it is critical to prevent exposure. This is especially true if you have a pre-existing condition, disease, or injury to that particular organ. Read the MSDS to fmd out the most effective personal protection equipment (PPE) for dealing with the chemical and be certain to minimize release of the chemical in the first place. 

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