Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used to safeguard against accidents and incidents that could happen despite appropriate exposure control systems and operating protocols,  the Chemical Responsible Person/Team must keep an accurate inventory of PPE.

Requirements

A facility should: 

  • Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to identify and use appropriate PPE. 
  • Select and ensure appropriate PPE is available to workers in potential exposure areas, ensuring all workers can easily identify and use PPE. 
  • Provide each person working with chemicals with their own PPE.
  • Maintain PPE, regularly checking for damage, contamination and wear and tear. Replace where required. 
  • Review the effectiveness of PPE and update/replace where required.
  • Where possible segregate the storage of chemical products based on the the PPE type required. 
  • Display clear prominent signage on appropriate PPE where chemicals are handled. Use recognised symbols for PPE.

Selection

Suppliers need to select appropriate PPE based on the identified hazards. They should refer to Section 8 of the GHS (or equivalent) Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to understand the PPE required for that chemical.

Examples: Goggles, safety glasses, face shield

  • Use eye and face protection to prevent exposure of flying particles, dusts, mists and splashes from liquids and acids and corrosive chemicals.
  •  Use eye and face protection to prevent exposure to flying particles, dust, mist and splashes from liquids, acids and corrosive chemicals.
  • Ensure eye and face protection which: 
    • Fits comfortably without pinching the nose or causing pressure on the head. 
    • Does not distort or block vision.
  • Ensure eye and face protection which:
    • Fits comfortably without pinching the nose or causing pressure on the head.
    • Does not distort or block vision.

Examples: Chemical-resistant footwear clothing (aprons, suits)

  • Use chemical-resistant aprons or full body suits as primary skin protection.
  • Combine with other PPE as needed including: 
    • Impermeable boots for leg protection.
    • Gloves for hand protection.
    • Face masks for face protection. 

Examples: Gloves/gauntlets (disposable or otherwise and suitable for the job*)

  • Use impervious gloves to protect hands from chemical absorption through the skin.
  • Consider blended or laminated materials for enhanced performance.
  • Always refer to the SDS (Section 8) for glove specifications when working with chemicals.
  • Select chemical-resistant gloves made from materials such as:
    • Rubber, natural butyl, neoprene, nitrile and fluorocarbon (Viton).
    • Plastic: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene.

Examples: Respirators masks or hoods that give adequate protection ***

  • Implement measures to prevent inhalation of harmful airborne substances or volatile compounds emitted from chemical products during application or handling.
  • Base selection on staff exposure in terms of time and extent and on regular testing of air samples to monitor performance to occupational exposure limits as outlined in Section 8.1 of of the GHS (or equivalent) SDS.

* Chemical-resistant gloves

  • Low chemical resistance.
  • Suitable for general cleaning.
  • Do not use to handle chemicals.
  • Protect against oil, grease, some acids bases and some solvents.
  • Do not use when working with oxidising agents or strong organic solvents.
  • Protects against peroxides, acids, bases and alcohols.
  • Do not use with halogenated solvents or petroleum-based products. 
  • Protects against gasoline, some alcohols, hydraulic fluids, organic acids and aklaline.
  • Do not use working with strong organic solvents.

Applicable for most hazardous chemicals.

***Respiratory protection

Selection of appropriate respiratory protection can be based on the following criteria:

  • Contains air-purifying filter, cartridge or canister that removes specific air contaminates (particulates, gases and vapours)
  • Ensure filters/cartridges are replaced after a certain period of use.

Types include : dust mask, half-face mask and full-face mask

  • Supply clean breathing air from an uncontaminated independant source.