1. Personal Protective Equipment for Chemical Handling

2. Introduction
More and more chemicals are handled today than ever before. Unless proper precautions are taken. Chemicals can cause physical injury, ill health, diseases, death or even property damage.
Chemicals can be in the form of solids, liquids, gases, vapors and mists. They are used for various purposes. However like fire, chemicals can also be good servants and bad masters, unless treated with respect.
While all necessary measures have been taken through engineering design and control and the use of personal protective equipment, the user must still observe basic safety rules in order to complement efforts in overcoming chemical hazards.

3. Identifying Chemical Hazards
Ignitable Chemicals
Reactive Chemicals
Corrosive Chemicals
Toxic Chemicals

4. Ignitable Chemicals
Liquids, other than aqueous solutions containing less than 24% alcohol by volume, with a flash point less than 60 degree Celsius
Solids that are capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes which, when ignited, burn so vigorously and persistently that they create a hazard
Ignitable compressed gases
Oxidizers

5. Reactive Chemicals
Normally unstable and readily undergo violent change without detonating
Violently reactive with water
Able to form potentially explosive mixtures with water
Generating toxic gases, vapors or fumes when mixed with water
Capable of detonating or explosive decomposition at standard
temperature and pressure
Forbidden explosives

6. Corrosive Chemicals Is aqueous and has a pH < 2 or pH > 12.5
It is a liquid and corrodes steel at a rate greater than 6.35mm
per year at test temperature of 55 degree celsius. It is also a
substance that cause visible destruction of materials including
the skin or eyes upon contact
Two groups - ACIDS & BASES

7. Toxic Chemicals
Substance that has a noxious effect on the body – reversible or
irreversible
Any chemically induced tumor – benign or malignant; or death
as a result of contact with a substance via the respiratory tract,
skin, eye, mouth or any other route
Toxicity is dependent upon the degree of exposure
Highly toxic materials are referred to as POISONS

8. Selecting PPEs For Chemical Handling
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often referred to as the least
desirable way to protect workers from hazards
It is the “last line of defense” against harmful substances, to be used only
when other controls have failed to eliminate or isolate the hazard
But to a worker in a hazardous environment, PPE is not a last resort. It is
the second skin that keeps the worker healthy. Far from being the “third
line of defense”, it is the “first line of protection “.
PPE must be properly selected and fitted, and workers must be properly
trained in its use, application and maintenance
There is no replacement for PPE in many situations - It is the logical first
choice!!
PPE should be considered an integral part of worker protection, not an
option of last resort

9. Selecting PPEs For Chemical Handling
TYPE:
SAFETY GOGGLES AND GLASSES
FACESHIELDS
RESPIRATORS
GLOVES
APRONS & FULL BODY SUIT
BOOTS
PROTECTION FOR:
EYES
FACE
LUNGS
HANDS & FINGERS
SPECIFIC BODY
PROTECTION
FOOT

10. Eyes and Face Protection
Goggles & Face shields must be
worn when there is a hazard from
chemical splash
Always choose a goggle or a face
shield that has good chemical
resistant.
Acetate lens vs Polycarbonate
lens
Wide vision, must be able to wear
over prescription spectacle
Good ventilation – Direct vent vs
Indirect vent

11. Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection controls occupational diseases caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful contaminants such as
dusts, fumes, mists, gases & vapors
Suitable respirators must be used for optimum protection
Respirators selected on the basis of the specific hazards
Respiratory Protection Program must be established and users train
on use, maintenance, and limitations of respirators

12. Respirator Selection Flow Chart

13. Protective Respiratory Devices
Two basic types of respirators exist:
Supplied-Air Respirators (SAR) –
like SCBA, provide the highest
level of respiratory protection
Air Purifying Respirators (APR)

14. Air Purifying Respirators
Three Basic Types: Powered, disposable,
and chemical cartridge or canister
Powered air-purifying respirators deliver
filtered air under positive pressure to a face
piece mask, helmet, or hood, which provides
respiratory and ocular protection
Nonpowered APRs operate under negative
pressure, depending on the respiratory effort of
the wearer to draw air through a filter
PAPRs function under positive pressure, they
provide the greatest degree of respiratory
protection
Limitation of Use
Must be inspected & maintained

15. Hand Protection
Hand protection must be worn when exposed to hazards from:
Absorption of harmful chemicals
Chemical burns
Harmful temperature extremes
Severe cuts or lacerations and abrasions
Punctures

16. Selecting Hand Protection
Based on task performed, conditions present, duration of use and potential hazards
No glove can protect against all hazards
Assess performance characteristics against hazards
Request documentation from manufacturer that gloves meet test standards for the hazards anticipated – Chemical Permeation data, etc.
Determine the degree of dexterity required, frequency and degree of exposure to a hazards, and physical stresses applied to gloves
Determine toxic properties of chemicals. Is chemical able to pass through skin, etc.
Generally, any “chemical resistant” glove can be used for dry powders
Users must be able to remove gloves without contaminating skin

17. Types of Chemical Gloves
Disposable Gloves - Latex, Nitrile
Use mainly for product protection and protect against mild irritants
Resuable Gloves
Natural Rubber : Poor against oils, greases and organics. Use against bases, alcohols, dilute water solutions. Usually low cost
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) : Medium chemical resistance. Use against acids and bases & alcohols. Usually low cost
Neoprene : Use against oxidizing acids, anilines, phenol. Good chemical resistance and medium physical properties, medium cost

18. Types of Chemical Gloves
Resuable Gloves
Nitrile : Poor against benzene, methylene chloride and many ketones. Use against oils, greases, aliphatic & alicyclic chemicals, dilute to semi-conc acids & alcohols. Low cost, excellent physical properties, dexterity
Butyl : Speciality glove, poor against hydrocarbons & chlorinated solvents. Use against dilute to conc. acids, Ketones & Esters. Expensive
Viton : Speciality glove, poor against esters, ketones & amines. Use against dilute to conc. Acids, Aromatics, chlorinated solvents, Aliphatics and alcohols. Extremely Expensive

19. Body Protection
While generally not thought of as personal protective equipment, the clothes we wear to work may form an important link between the company dress code and job safety.
What is considered “safe” clothing for work?
For some jobs ordinary clothing – clean, in good repair, and suited to the work involved
For jobs involving hazardous processes, special protective clothing is required
Aluminized and Reflective clothing – reflects radiant heat
Heat resistant clothing – protects against intense conducted heat and against flames

20. Body Protection
Impervious materials (rubber, neoprene, etc) – protects against dust, vapours, mist, moisture and corrosive materials
Synthetic fibers – for emergency situations such as chemical spills, gas leaks, etc
Water-resistant duct – protect from water and non corrosive liquids
Disposable – temporary clothing that would be worn for a job and disposed after use

21. Chemical Boots
Safety shoes & boots are not designed for protection against chemicals
Use at least rubber boots for general chemical handling
For protection against hazardous chemicals, HAZMAT boots must be worn

22. People Dedicated to Safety
Thank You