Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Integrated body and respiratory protection A practical demonstration
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Background In this test, we want to: Examine how to provide effective protection using various types of PPE –Gloves –Suits Compare the protection efficiency of two very different protective suits Explore the importance of pressurisation Identify the issues associated with decontamination & safe removal of contaminated PPE
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group A Word on PPE High standard of protection expected Simple to use Recognise limitations Training to match hazards Last line of defence Sometimes PPE is only option
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Important: This is not a scientific experiment rather an informal way of exploring some basic aspects of personal protection equipment against hazardous substances
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Equipment
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Gloves Used Standard disposable gloves Best nitrile
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Safe Glove Removal Grasp glove below cuff Peel down Insert finger under other cuff Peel 2 nd glove off "Dirty to Dirty - Clean to Clean"
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Suits used Simple, off-the-rack handymans suit Tyvek® material Welded seams Negative pressure respirator Not taped Not pressurised Disposable Pressurised suit Double hoods Tyvek F® material Welded seams Positive pressure respirator Taped Pressurised Disposable Integrated (i.e. respirator and suit designed to be used together)
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Contamination chamber Simple upright tent, designed as shower tent at camping grounds Plastic pool for collection of waste water
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Contaminant & detection agent Fluoresceine a common substance with many uses, e.g. in plumbing to detect leaks Glows under UV light Dispensed as aerosol from 4 nozzles inside the tent
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Tests
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Gloves Don gloves Clean small liquid spill using a sponge Remove gloves Test for contamination using black light
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group The test begins A white inner suit is used for easy detection of any contaminant leaking through outer suit
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Don mask & outer suit Simple suit with negative pressure respirator Pressurised suit with positive pressure respirator
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Taping (Pressurised suit only)
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Major differences Single hoodDouble hood Negative pressurePositive pressure No tapingAll joints taped Not pressurisedPressurised Loose glovesIntegrated gloves Socks & bootsIntegrated inner booties Suit in bootlegProtective skirt over bootleg
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group How pressurisation works When user does not need air (e.g. when breathing out), clean air is channelled into the suit instead of the respirator The suit inflates at every exhalation A slight positive pressure is maintained within the suit at all times
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Test procedure The test procedure is exactly the same for both types of suit:
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Enter chamber
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Seal chamber
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Switch on contaminant
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Start exercise Duration: 5 minutes Movements: squatting, straightening, twisting Follows part of NFPA approved exercises for protective suits Designed to stretch, pull, inflate, deflate suit
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group End of exposure
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Decontamination
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Examination The protective suit is carefully removed Inner suit is examined in a darkened room under UV light Any trace of contaminant on the inner suit glows bright yellow-green
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group See for yourself Now lets go and do some real-life, practical exercises!
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results (of this test only)
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results Simple suitPressurised suit (Click on each image for larger picture) Conclusion…
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results Back
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results Back
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results Back
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Results Back
Copyright © 2005 by The SEA Group Conclusion