Using Protective Equipment Chapter 4

Objectives What type of PPE is available? When and where to use PPE? The limitations of PPE

Protective Equipment Protective equipment – provide physical barrier to chemical exposure via main routes of entry: absorption through skin or eyes, injection, inhalation and ingestion Provide barrier to physical hazards such as explosion and heat.

How chemicals can enter the body? PPE can protect against entry of chemicals by inhalation or absorption and injection. Gloves and aprons must be used. Fume hoods provide protection from inhalation of fumes, dust and vapors. Specially fitted respirators may be used Ingestion of chemicals – using contaminated hands – no eating, drinking or applying cosmetics in laboratory or storing food in refrigerator

Eye and Face Protection OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection Standard (29 CFR ) Employers must provide suitable eye and face protection for employees exposed to - Flying objects - Dusts and mists - Molten metals - Chemical splashed or splatter - Radiation

Types of Eyewear

Type of Eye and Face Protection Protects from chemical splashes and projectiles Safety glasses with side shields – bare minimum protection Safety goggles – higher level of protection than safety glasses Best protection by indirect ventilated goggles Direct ventilated – should not be worn in chemistry labs

Face and Neck Protection Two basic styles – covering the face only and covering the face and neck Provide more protection to face and neck than goggles – highly corrosive liquids, glassware under reduced or increased pressure and high temperatures Safety goggles + face shields

Face and Neck Protection Safety shields are small barriers constructed out of laminated safety glass or transparent material Used in addition to face shields and goggles Protect against minor blasts or explosions from small amount of reactants

Eyewear Selection Chart

Skin Protection OSHA’s hand protection standard (29 CFR ) Employees must wear appropriate hand protection when exposed to hazards such as - Skin absorption of harmful substances - Severe cuts/lacerations or punctures - Chemical or thermal burns - Harmful temperature extremes

Skin Protection How do manufacturers offer standard test on their glove materials? Hand protection materials must be tested for each application or task Done based on tasks to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, hazards and potential hazards identified

Skin Protection Selection of appropriate material – based on performance evaluation measuring factors – degradation rate and permeation rate Degradation refers to deterioration of glove material Permeation is the ability of chemical to move through the glove (even if no damage to material occurs)

Skin Protection

Clothing Selection Hair, shoes and protective equipment (lab aprons) Long pants and long sleeved shirts or lab jacket and closed-toe shoes Should not wear loose clothes Unrestrained long hair, long beards and loose jewelry can get caught in equipment, fall into chemicals or catch fire

Clothing Selection Shoes – closed toe shoes Steel-toed – working with heavy items as compressed gas cylinders Shoe covers – working with hazardous materials Electricity – shoes with conductive/insulated soles

Clothing Selection Important properties of chemical protective clothing Chemical barrier performance: protection from exposure to liquid, vapor or particulate hazards Overall integrity: ability of entire clothing to prevent inward leakage of gases, liquids or particles Physical strength and durability – resistance to tears, punctures and cuts

Clothing Selection Thermal performance: protection form heat or flame (when incident flame or heat contact is expected) Static charge: resistance to developing a static charge Functionality: Mobility, dexterity and comfort while worn

Clothing Selection Cotton – good material – reacts rapidly with acids Plastic or rubber aprons – provide good protection from corrosive liquids Plastic aprons – accumulate static electricity – danger around flammable solvents Base + barrier materials

Clothing Selection

Fume Hood Safety Laboratory fume hoods are important component used to protect laboratory workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals and agents used in laboratory A fire and chemical-resistant enclosure with one opening in front (face) and a moveable window (sash)

Fume Hood Safety Large volumes of air are drawn through face into exhaust ducts and out of building Air flow into hood generated by exhaust fans Exhaust fan motors should be installed on building roof

Fume hood safety Two types depending on the pattern of air flow Non-bypass Air flow into hood only through sash opening Bypass Additional bypass opening on the top front of the hood

What is face velocity? Face velocity: Average velocity of air draw through the face of the hood Too low or too high reduce containment efficiency of the hood

Fume hood safety Max it’s efficiency Keep hood’s exhaust fan on at all times Sash midway Avoid opening and closing sash rapidly Place equipment as far back in the hood as possible Do not clutter

Home work What are the two physical barriers that PPE protects from? What does PPE stand for? Name different PPE used by you in your labs. What are the two types of fume hoods? What are the various properties of chemical protective clothing material? How do manufacturers offer standard test on their glove materials? Name a few materials used in making gloves and aprons.

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