4 Factors to Consider When Selecting Personal Protective ...

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Definition of PPE : "All equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective".

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment designed to protect workers from physical hazards when on a worksite. PPE should only be considered as a last line of defence between a hazard and the worker. Attempts to control workplace risks and hazards should always be addressed first.

Workplace safety should begin with a hazard assessment. Once the hazards and risks have been identified, a plan can be put forward to prioritize and reduce risk of injury. Useful systems and tools to perform hazard assessments include performing a Risk Assessment and a Job Safety Analysis.

However, even the strictest controls will not necessarily eliminate all the risks associated with most job tasks and this is where the need for PPE must be evaluated. A hazard assessment can help identify which specialized PPE will be required. Many facotors have to be taken into account when choosing PPE. These can be categorised into four main groups;

1.Substance - Related Factors

Type of protection required- The type of protection selected must reduce the risk from a particular hazard. To choose the right type of equipment, it is important to have a full understanding of the hazard under consideration. For example, before protective footwear is selected for use in a chemical enivorment, the corrosive or solvent nature of the chemicals encountered must be known,so that the chosen footwear is not made from materials that will be adversely affected.

Level of protection required- the PPE chosen must be able to reduce the hazard to an acceptable level. This could mean achieving established occupational exposure limit (OEL), which can be used to determine whether or not an item of PPE will achieve an acceptable level of protection. in other instances, such as when choosing gloves or gaunlets, the level of protection provided by the item will be indicated by the quality; for example, the item may have a quality mark ( such as the european CE mark). However, the level of protection actually required by the nature of the work may call for a more qualitative judgment.

2.Task - Related Factors

Duration of work- PPE may only be able to resist chemical "attack" for a limited period of time ( known as the "Breakthrough" time) therefore consideration must be given to the duration of work which will be undertaken as this will affect the length of time the PPE is exposed to the chemical substance. Compatability and breakthrough charts from the manufacturer will indicate the length of time the PPE can be exposed to the chemical.

Dexterity and Durability - sometimes the most durable PPE may not be the most appropriate for a task. Gloves affect the dexterity of the wearer; the thicker( or more durable) the glove, the greater the impact upon dexterity. Therefore there may be occasions where using thinner gloves may be preferable and safer.

Gloves and Guantlets- though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, gloves are shorter and end at the wrist, whereas guanlets are longer and cover the forearm to the elbow. If there is a risk of contamination of the forearm, guanlets should be selected.

3.Wearer - Related Factors

One of the key failings of PPE is that it can be used incorrectly, or indeed not used at all! Users must be trained in the correct use of fitting of PPE,but if wearer related factors are considered at the selection stage, the potential for misuse can be reduced.

Fit-to acheive the necessarry level of protection for any PPE, it is important that it fits the user correctly. With some items of PPE one size will fit virtually all users ( e.g. filtering face piece respirators). With other items the correct size must be chosen ( e,g, gloves in small , medium, large or extra large sizes or safety boots in a wide variety of foot sizes). in certain instances a high degree of adjustability must be looked for so that all users can acheive a correct fit ( e.g. breathing apparatus).

The correct fit of an item of PPE can often be determined by asking the wearer to subjectively determined whether it fits or not. in other instances simple guidlines can be used to determine correct fit. In some instance correct fir has to be assessed by more accurate means (e.g. face fit tests for breathing appearatus).

Compatibility- the PPE chosen must not interfere with or impede the use of other PPE that also has to be worn at the same time. Consequently, it is necessary to assess the various situations under which the PPE will be used to ensure that it will be compatible with all other items that might foreseebly be worn. Typical examples of where problems may arise are: the wearing of ear muffs with a hard hat, or the use of life jackets with harness ( as might be required when working at height above water).

Personal Issues- PPE must be selected with the individual in mind. There may be many reasons why certain PPE is not suitable for a particular individuals. There may also be instances where the requirements of the workplace run contrary to the ability of individuals to wear certain PPE. in these circumstances, the individual may be excluded from certain areas/processes or prohibited from entering the workplace. For example oil refinery or airport fire services the growing and wearing of beards may be forbidden due to the possible need to wear emergency breathing apparatus.

Wearer Acceptability- the effectiveness of an item of PPE is ultimately determined by whether or not users actually wear it. If the equipment is uncomfotable or interferes with the users ability to work then, irrespective of its cost of efficiency, it will be bypassed. Wearer acceptability can be improved by involing workers, or their representatives, in the selection process. This consultation will give end users the oppotunity to voice theur opinion and assist in the selection procedure. This can often be best achieved by selecting a set of items that provide the required level of protection and then involving workers in trails so that they can then choose the item they think is most suitable.

4.Quality - Related Factors

As with any PPE purchased must be of a suficeintly high quality to offer the desired level of protection. There are international quality standards which can be used when purchasing PPE, such as the European EN standards.

If workers are to use PPE effectively, they have to be provided with informaton, instruction and training. In particular they will need to know;

• What the risks are that the PPE can give effective protection against (including limitations)
• How and when the PPE should be used.
• How and when to clean, inspect, maintain or replace the PPE.
• Requirements for storage of the PPE.

Failure to provide this in a comprehensible form will result in poor ( and perhaps even dangerous) practices developing. Since different items of PPE will have different training requirements, it may be sensible for the employer to take this into account when selecting PPE in the first place. if two items of PPE give the same level of protection, but one is more complex and will require considerably more training resources, then it might be better to choose the simpler option.

Finally,management commitment to the use of PPE must be seen to be positive. Management must show clear leadership by using PPE at all appropriate times. They must also provide adequate resources for PPE provision. This may mean buying higher quality items rather than the cheapest available and ensuring that replacement stocks are always kept. Clear and consistent supervision of the use of PPE must be demonstrated.

Selecting the right PPE to sufficiently reduce exposure to hazards is essential to laboratory safety. The purpose of this section is to provide resources allowing researchers to identify and classify various types of PPE so the appropriate safety precautions are taken when conducting research.

For the purpose of this site, PPE will be classified into categories: eye and face protection, hand protection, body protection, respiratory protection, and hearing protection. Each category includes its own corresponding safety equipment that will be described below.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye protection is achieved by wearing eyewear specifically designed to reduce the risk of exposure to chemical splashes, laser radiation, and/or flying debris. There are four primary types of eye protection &#; of which each has its own limitations &#; including general safety glasses, laser safety glasses, chemical splash goggles and impact goggles. Full face protection is achieved by wearing face shields.

Type Use                          

General safety glasses

• Must have side shields, or a one-piece lens that wraps around the temple.

• Are the minimum level of eye protection that must be worn in the laboratory.

• Are not effective in protecting the eyes from splashes, and are only recommended for use with solutions that are not likely to damage the eye, such as some buffers and salts.

Laser safety glasses

• Selection is based on the laser wavelength and power.

• Protective properties can be found printed on the eyewear.

• Are not as effective as laser safety goggles at filtering all light entering the eyes.

• EH&S does not provide laser safety glasses or goggles for use in the laboratory, but will assist in selecting the correct laser safety goggles or glasses for your application, which can be purchased by the PI as needed.

Chemical splash goggles

• Are recommended any time a splash of chemicals or infectious substances could reach the eyes.

• Can act as impact goggles to prevent flying debris from reaching the eyes.

• May be purchased from the campus bookstore or obtained from EH&S in accordance with LHAT recommendations.

Impact goggles

• Offer protection from flying debris only.

• Often have ventilation holes on the sides that render the user susceptible to chemical splashes and dust or small debris.

• EH&S does not offer impact goggles, but chemical splash goggles can often be used in substitution. Feel free to contact EH&S with any questions regarding this substitution.

Face shields

• Required when splashes from chemicals that can cause immediate skin damage are handled (e.g. working with concentrated acids, dispensing liquid nitrogen, sonicating tissue samples, etc.).

• Shall be worn in conjunction with chemical splash goggles. Respiratory protective equipment might be required, depending on the task; contact EH&S if you have any questions regarding face shield use.

• All new PIs receive two complimentary face shields from EH&S. Existing PIs received two face shields during the PPE distribution event. Additional and/or replacement face shields can be purchased by

  PIs.

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Hand Protection

Appropriate selection of gloves is essential to protecting hands. Chemically protective gloves are one of the most important tools to minimize dermal exposures to chemicals in research laboratories. Gloves should only be used under the specific conditions for which they are designed, as no glove is impervious to all chemicals.

It is also important to note that gloves degrade over time, so they should be replaced as necessary to ensure adequate protection. Laboratory personnel should use the information below, and manufacturer compatibility charts (found under useful resources in the above right menu), to choose the type and style of glove.

Type   Use  

Light latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves

Disposable latex (powdered or unpowdered)

Working with biological hazards (human blood, body fluids, tissues, bloodborne pathogens, specimens), BSL1, BSL2, BSL2+, BSL3

Disposable nitrile (puncture and abrasion resistant, protection from splash hazards)

Working with biological hazards and chemical splash hazards

Disposable vinyl (economical, durable, similar to latex)

Working with biological hazards, BSL1, BSL2, BSL2+, BSL3

Light chemical resistant gloves

Natural rubber latex (chemical resistant, liquid-proof)

Working with small volumes of corrosive liquids, organic solvents, flammable compounds

Light to heavy chemical resistant gloves

Nitrile (chemical resistant, good puncture, cut and abrasion resistance)

Using apparatus under pressure, air or water-reactive chemicals

Heavy chemical resistant gloves

Butyl (high permeation resistance to most chemicals)

Working with large volumes of organic solvents; small to large volumes of dangerous solvents, acutely toxic or hazardous materials

Viton® II (high permeation resistance to most chemicals)

Same as butyl gloves, plus hazardous material spills

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Silver shield (extra chemical and mechanical protection)

Same as butyl and Viton® II gloves, added mechanical protection, hazardous material spills

Insulated gloves

Terrycloth autoclave (heat resistant)

Working with hot liquids and equipment, open flames, water bath, oil bath

Cryogen (water-resistant or waterproof, protection against ultra-cold temperatures)

Handling cryogenic liquids

Wire mesh gloves

Wire mesh (cut resistant)

Working with live animals and exposed to potential cuts

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Body Protection

Lab coats are required for all wet labs. Cotton or cotton/poly blends are sufficient for labs without risk of fire. Nomex coats are required for work with pyrophorics, flammable liquids in quantities of more than 4 liters, or when work involves flammable liquids and an ignition source such as a burner. Barrier coats must be worn when working with infectious materials. Barrier coats can be autoclaved by placing the coats in a pan and placing an additional pan of water in the autoclave.

Type Use  

Traditional (cotton/cotton-polyester blend - protects skin and clothing from dirt, inks, non-hazardous chemicals)

General use; chemical, biological, radiation, and physical hazards

Flame resistant (e.g. Nomex or other flame-resistant cotton 

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 resists ignition)

Working with water or air reactive chemicals, large volumes of organic solvents, and potentially explosive chemicals

Barrier (predominantly polyester 

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 offers splash protection, not flame resistant)

Working with infectious materials

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Respiratory Protection

Program Procedures

Respiratory protective equipment is only used as a "last line of defense," and as a result, requires individual assessment and training by EH&S personnel. Proper fitting and use is key to respirator efficacy, so EH&S requires all individuals who believe one or more of their job tasks require respiratory protective equipment to contact EH&S. The following steps will be taken:

1. A workplace hazard assessment will be performed to determine if the task requires respiratory protective equipment.
   • If the task does not require respiratory equipment but the employee wishes to use such equipment, he or she must complete Appendix D of the Respiratory Protective Equipment Manual and return the bottom portion of the form to EH&S. This form provides information in accordance with OSHA Sec. .134 regarding voluntary use of respirators when not required under the standard.
2. If respiratory protective equipment is necessary, the employee will be given a medical evaluation questionnaire to fill out as well as a supplement to the medical questionnaire that outlines the findings of the hazard assessment conducted by EH&S. Both forms should be taken to a contract physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) who will perform a confidential medical evaluation to determine the employee's fitness to wear a respirator.
3. When the employee is approved to wear a respirator for the job task(s) outlined in the hazard assessment, the appropriate respirator will be selected and the employee will be fit-tested following CAL/OSHA's accepted fit-testing protocol. Fit-testing assures the selected respirator is worn correctly to allow proper performance.
4. During fit-testing, the employee receives training on the appropriate method(s) to store, handle and sanitize the respirator.
5. Once initial fitting and training are completed, the employee must enroll in and attend yearly training conducted by EH&S through the UC Learning Center. Employees will be authorized to register for the "Basic Respiratory Protection" course to fulfill the annual training requirement.

 

Type   Use  

Surgical masks

Protect against large droplets and splashes (does not require fit-testing)

Working with live animals; working with infectious material in BSL-2+ level labs but only protects your sample from you, not the other way around.

N-95 respirators

Protects against dust, fumes, mists, microorganisms (requires fit-testing)

Working with live animals or infectious materials in BSL-2 level labs with known airborne transmissible disease (e.g. tuberculosis, also required for influenza (flu)); dusty environments

Half-mask respirators

Purifies air: protects against a variety of particulates, vapors, dust, mists, fumes; depends on filter cartridge used

(requires fit-testing)

Working with live animals or infectious materials with known airborne transmissible disease; dusty environments; chemical vapors; particulates

Full-face respirators

Same as half-mask, with greater protection factor; eye, mucus membranes, and face protection; depends on filter cartridge used

(requires fit-testing)

Working with live animals or infectious materials with known airborne transmissible disease; dusty environments; chemical vapors; particulates

Respirator cartridges

For use in half-mask respirators and full-face respirators

• P-100: for dust only

• Organic Vapor (OV): for fumes of organic solvents only

• Acid Gas: vapors of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc

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Hearing Protection

All laboratory personnel shall contact EH&S to request noise monitoring in their laboratory settings to perform noise monitoring and advise on the specific use of hearing protectors.

Laboratory workers whose eight-hour time-weighted average noise exposure exceeds the 85 dBA Action Level will be enrolled in the UC Merced Hearing Conservation Program. These individuals will receive annual audiometric testing, will have hearing protectors made available to them by their supervisors, and will be provided training on the fitting, use and care of these devices.

Monitoring results for individuals whose noise exposure exceed the Action Level will also be notified in writing using Attachment B &#; Noise Monitoring &#; Dosimetry Results.

Disposable earplugs

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane foam, one-time use design (no cleaning), one size fits all, lightweight, low cost, blocks all sound. Useful when working in areas where sound levels average over 85 dBa; EH&S can assist in assessments

Reusable earplugs

Silicone tapered fit, reusable (needs cleaning), corded or uncorded, lightweight, more durable than disposable earplugs. Useful when working in areas where

sound levels average over 85 dBa

; EH&S can assist in assessments

Hearing band

Earplugs connected to a flexible band that can be worn around the neck when not needed. Useful when working in areas where

sound levels average over 85 dBa

; EH&S can assist in assessments

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