Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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5.. Rubber,.rubberized.fabrics,.neoprene,.and.plastics.protective.clothing.pro-
tect.against.certain.acids.and.other.chemicals.
The.purpose.of.chemical.protective.clothing.and.equipment.is.to.shield.or.isolate.
individuals.from.the.chemical,.physical,.and.biological.hazards.that.may.be.encoun-
tered.during.hazardous.materials.operations..During.chemical.operations,.it.is.not.
always.apparent.when.exposure.occurs..Many.chemicals.pose.invisible.hazards.and.
offer.no.warning.properties.
It.is.important.that.protective.clothing.users.realize.that.no.single.combination.of.
protective.equipment.and.clothing.is.capable.of.protecting.against.all.hazards..Thus,.
protective.clothing.should.be.used.in.conjunction.with.other.protective.methods..For.
example,.engineering.or.administrative.controls.to.limit.chemical.contact.with.per-
sonnel.should.always.be.considered.an.alternative.measure.for.preventing.chemical.
exposure..The.use.of.protective.clothing.can.itself.create.signiicant.wearer.hazards,.
such.as.heat.stress,.physical.and.psychological.stress,.in.addition.to.impaired.vision,.
mobility,.and.communication..In.general,.the.greater.the.level.of.chemical.protective.
clothing,.the.greater.the.associated.risks.to.workers..For.any.given.situation,.equip-
ment.and.clothing.should.be.selected.that.provide.an.adequate.level.of.protection..
Overprotection.as.well.as.under-protection.can.be.hazardous.and.should.be.avoided.
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A
PPliCAtions
Protective.clothing.must.be.worn.whenever.the.wearer.faces.potential.hazards.aris-
ing.from.chemical.exposure..Some.examples.include
•.
Emergency.response
•.
Chemical.manufacturing.and.process.industries
•.
Hazardous.waste.site.cleanup.and.disposal.(see.Figure 24.9)
•.
Asbestos.removal.and.other.particulate.operations
•.
Agricultural.application.of.pesticides
Within.each.application,.there.are.several.operations.that.require.chemical.pro-
tective.clothing..For.example,.in.emergency.response,.the.following.activities.dictate.
chemical.protective.clothing.use:
•.
Site.survey
•.
Rescue
•.
Spill.mitigation
•.
Emergency.monitoring
•.
Decontamination
s
ElECtion
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The.approach.in.selecting.personal.protective.clothing.must.encompass.an.“.ensemble”.
of. clothing. and. equipment. items. that. are. easily. integrated. to. provide. both. an.
