Chemcial PPE

Chemicals can enter the body through various paths:

• Lungs: inhaling dusts,fumes,vapors,orgases;
• Skin: chemicals coming in contact with skin;and
• Digestive system: ingesting chemicals;
• Effects of chemical exposure:
• Acute: Immediate outcomes upon exposure; and
• Chronic: outcome from repeated exposure over longer duration

Don’t assume because you are not seeing or experiencing immediate health outcomes that it means you are not being exposed! It may take days, months or even years to see chronic effects.

Selecting the Proper PPE when using chemicals:

Gloves

• Rubber, chemical-resistant material
• Nitrile offer the widest range of compatibiilities BUT always check your SDS prior to detirmine which one is best.

Eye Protection

• Safety Glasses- when splashing and vapors are not an issue
• Goggles – when splashing is a not an issue but vapors are
• Face Shields – when splashing is a concern

Use face shileds AND goggles when both vapors and splashing is an issue.

Respirators

• Only required when airbrone chemical concentrations exceed regulatory limits;
• Each type of respirator only protects against specific hazards.
• Extra training is required when using a respirator

Body Protection

• Use to protect skin or clothes
• Use rubber, chemcial-resistant for liquid chemicals
• Protects you form carrying home the chemicals from your job
• Remove or change befor leaving work area

Tips for Using PPE:

✓ Store PPE where it won’t be exposed to chemcials

✓ Never reusue single use PPE (dust masks, disposable gloves, etc)

✓ Discard resuabale PPE when they show signs of degradation

✓ Grossly contaminated PPE should be disposed of

✓ Inspect your PPE before use for holes or wear

✓ PPE is the last line of defense,, should be worn when other means of protection are not available