1. Asbestos NESHAP Inspection and Safety Procedures Course Chapter 12
Protective Clothing
This section will describe the various aspects of respirators, respirator use and related regulations.
We will also look at the issues, use and regulations regarding protective clothing.
It is assumed that all participants will be formally trained on these issues by their agency.
This program is an overview of these issues and does not supplant actual hands on training with the actual devices that will be worn by the Inspectors.
2014

2. Protective Clothing For Building Inspections
Purpose: keep off gross contamination from suspect ACM, debris and ACWM.
Required when entering negative pressure enclosures and other containments.
May be necessary in crawl spaces, mechanical rooms and where significantly damaged materials are present.
Here we shift gears and address protective clothing items, use and requirements.
There may be very clean inspection situations when protective clothing may not be necessary for some activities this will be a must.
For OSHA Class I-III work, it’s often required!!
See text

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator
Safety Glasses
Disposable Clothing
Others
Hearing protection, gloves, safety shoes and hard hats as needed.
Always be sure to know what is required on the site where you’re working.
Commercial/industrial sites may have very specific safety requirements.
PPE is a common acronym.
It’s not just respirators!!
Regulatory inspectors will be expected to meet safety requirements on commercial/industrial sites; always ask!

4. Examples of Typical Coveralls
Notice
attached
foot and
head
covers
The two most common types of disposable garments.
Note text box
Kleenguard® Coverall
Breathable fabric
Tyvek® Coverall
Non-breathable fabric
Breathable fabrics reduce heat stress; “Tyvek” better for chemical protection.

5. Protective Clothing
Non-breathable fabrics such as Tyvek® are very useful for splash protection when working with chemicals… but they are extremely hot to wear in the warm weather months, increasing the potential for heat stress.
Breathable fabrics such as Kleenguard® feel more like natural fabric to the skin and feel cooler to the wearer.
Because of the heat stress issue it is recommended that breathable fabrics be chosen provided that chemical protection is not necessary.
See slide text

6. Protective Clothing
Protective clothing does not include street clothing!!
This means when entering an asbestos containment: No T-shirts, blue jeans, socks or undergarments.
It is best to use either disposable undergarments (such as Tyvek, etc.) or nylon bathing suits.
Nylon bathing suits can be easily cleaned while decontaminating.
This is specific to OSHA Class I work
Other activities, street clothing may be appropriate.
When in doubt minimize street clothing to prevent possible take-home contamination.

7. Protective Clothing
Disposable protective garments do not keep you “asbestos free.” They are to keep gross debris off the body and not allow contamination to be transported out of the work area.
Even when you seal closures (neck, wrists) with tape, there is no guarantee that asbestos will not get on the clothing underneath.
Any street clothing that is worn into an asbestos work area can become contaminated.
For demo sites or other non-contained inspection areas (where no decon is available) 2 protective garments are often worn over street clothing.
See slide text
For regulatory inspectors, the “double suit” method should be used ONLY when there is no decon available.
Double suit techniques are also used by contractors for Class II-III work.

8. Other Protective Equipment
Disposable latex or polyethylene gloves are commonly used by inspectors.
Inexpensive, disposable cotton gloves are also sufficient unless there are cutting, puncture or abrasion hazards to the hands. Then leather palm-type gloves or Kevlar would be required.
If they are brought into containment or otherwise contaminated, they must be properly disposed of.
Disposable, latex or polyethylene gloves are commonly used by inspectors.
Disposal cotton or leather gloves may be used depending on the hazards present. If they are worn into containment or otherwise contaminated, they must be disposed of upon exiting the containment or leaving the site.

9. Other Protective Equipment, cont.
Boots - Use inexpensive rubber boots over the suit foot coverings. They can be cleaned and reused between inspections. Steel toes as required!
Hardhats as required by OSHA for hazards from falling objects.
Safety glasses
Hearing protection
Inspectors must have appropriate, cleanable footwear when entering containments or inspecting demolition or renovation sites.
Hardhats are necessary when overhead hazards exist. 9 9

10. Gloves If contaminated, they must be disposed of!
Leather palm gloves for puncture & abrasion protection.
Latex or polyethylene gloves work well in most situations.
Examples of hand protection
Many industrial operations now require the use of Kevlar gloves for all cutting operations
Simple cotton work gloves work in many situations and are inexpensive. Grip-type cotton gloves may be appropriate as well.
Kevlar Gloves For Slice/Cut Protection.

11. Protective Footwear
“The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.”
Re-usable rubber boots are the most common type of foot protection.
They must be decontaminated when leaving a containment or a demolition or renovation site.
The text box explains OSHA’s requirements for footwear.
Basic rubber or PVC boots are economical and can be reused after cleaning.
Rubber boots with steel toes and shanks are an OSHA and often a facility owner safety requirement.

12. Entering/Exiting Site with Three-Stage Decontamination System
Airlock
3-5’
Airlock
3-5’
Poly
Door
Flaps
Equipment Room
(Dirty Room)
Clean Room
Shower
Air Flow
Work
Area
Worker Decon Unit
Shower Water Filtration Unit
Load Out Room
Wash Down Room
The following slides discusses procedures and practices for entering and exiting abatement sites with three-stage decontamination systems.
This slide depicts a 3 stage decontamination system with the addition of EPA recommended “airlocks”. The slide also shows a separate optional waste load-out unit.
Remind the students of the OSHA requirements for decontamination systems for Class I work.
Air Flow
Waste Load Out Unit
For waste bags, etc.
Orange denotes contaminated area

13. Prior to Entering the Clean Room
Ask the site operator for permission to dispose of any ACWM that might be created during the inspection.
Examine your respirator thoroughly.
Make sure all materials are assembled to conduct the inspection safely:
Protective clothing
Respirator
Duct tape
Extra plastic bags
Spray bottle
Disposable towels
Flashlight
Camera
It is important that the inspector is well prepared prior to entering the clean room of the decon.
The inspection may generate ACWM, so the site operator’s permission must be granted to add the waste to the operator’s waste stream.
All equipment and supplies must be assembled and examined to make sure they are in good working order.

14. Prior to Entering the Clean Room, cont.
All Materials carried into the contaminated area should be sealed in plastic bags to minimize contamination.
If a non-waterproof camera is used, seal it in an impermeable clear camera box.
Protects the camera
Facilitates decontamination
Anything carried into abatement work areas can become contaminated and should be sealed in plastic bags.
If your camera is not waterproof, it should likewise be placed in a plastic bag or an impermeable clear camera box. 14 14

15. In the Clean Room Putting Protective Clothing On
All street clothes are removed and stored in a clean area (often decon clean room).
Be sure to leave all valuables in a locked location (your car!)… this includes wallets, rings, watches or other jewelry. Jewelry items can become contaminated!
Nylon swim suit is put on.
Disposable coveralls are put on.
Ankles are taped as needed to reduce chances of tripping.
If sleeve ends are loose, tape these to assist in minimizing body contamination.
This slide discusses preparing to enter the Class I work area.
All street clothing is removed and hung up or stored in a clean location. Don’t leave any valuable in the clean room.
After the disposable coveralls are put on, several areas will need to be taped. The next slide shows examples of taping the coveralls. 15 15

16. Taping the Coveralls Tape Ankles to Prevent Tripping
Adjust the suit with tape for fit
OSHA does not have exhaustive requirements here as might be found with HAZMAT work
Full body covering, hand and foot covering and gloves
It is not required that gloves are taped…but it’s a good work practice to tape zippers, sleeves etc. to minimize contamination
Tape on crotch area helps prevent tearing. Tape on sleeves keeps gross debris out of the suit while inspecting.

17. In the Clean Room, cont.
Wear disposable, reinforced or steel-shank/steel-toe or washable rubber boots over coveralls.
If boots will be worn elsewhere, use rubber (or equivalent) covers.
NEVER use disposable coverall booties as the only foot covering!
Underscore how dangerous the inside of an active asbestos work area can be, and that foot injuries are very common if not properly protected. 17 17

18. In the Clean Room, cont.
Respiratory protection is inspected, put on and +/- fit checked.
Hood is put OVER the respirator straps.
Don disposable gloves. Use tape to seal them to the coveralls.
After the suit is donned, the respirator is donned.
The hood should be OVER the respirator straps
This is an important point; if straps are over the hood the respirator will have to be removed to remove the hood/suit.

19. In the Clean Room, cont.
Proceed to the shower area; leave disposable towels (sealed in a plastic bag), an extra plastic bag and soap near the shower.
Proceed through the equipment room to the contaminated area and conduct the inspection.
After the suit is donned, the respirator is donned.
The hood should be OVER the respirator straps
This is an important point; if straps are over the hood the respirator will have to be removed to remove the hood/suit. 19 19

20. Before Leaving the Contaminated Area
While standing near the exit, HEPA vacuum (if possible) and wet wipe all:
Areas of the protective coveralls
Boots
Gloves
Sample containers
Sampling equipment
Proceed to the equipment room
Before entering the equipment room, it is important to remove as much dust and debris as possible from protective coveralls, boots, gloves, sampling containers and equipment. Use HEPA vacuums and wet methods (such as a hand sprayer) to accomplish this task.

21. In the Equipment Room
Decontaminate, as much as possible, all non-disposable equipment including footwear.
Rubber footwear can be decontaminated in the shower.
If decontamination is not possible, seal all non-disposable materials in a plastic bag to decontaminate later.
While still wearing the respirator, carefully remove the outer boots or booties and gloves and remove coveralls.
Roll the coveralls inside out while removing.
Much of the equipment and supplies used during the inspection can be decontaminated in the shower. After entering the equipment room, the inspector should place such items in the shower. Other non-disposable items should be sealed in plastic bags for decontamination later.
The inspector should then remove booties, gloves and coveralls. The coveralls should be removed inside out to prevent the spread of contamination.

22. In the Equipment Room, cont.
If a PAPR is worn, remove the belt that supports the battery and hold the unit while removing coveralls.
Place all disposable protective clothing in a proper waste disposal container.
Place non-disposable items in the shower.
Wearing only the respirator and bathing suit, proceed to the shower.
If a PAPR was worn, the belt holding the battery should be removed and held while the coveralls are removed.
All disposable protective equipment (coveralls, booties, gloves, etc.) should be placed in a proper waste disposal container.
On asbestos abatement projects, the contractor usually has a labeled asbestos disposal bag in the equipment room. 22 22

23. In the Equipment Room, cont.
Enter shower
with only
respirator
& swimsuit
Used
Suits, etc.
put In
waste
bag
These pictures show an individual removing protective clothing in the equipment room.

24. In the Shower Area
While keeping the respirator as dry as possible, clean non-disposable items and place them in the clean room.
Do not step out of the shower!
Thoroughly wet the entire body.
Remove respirator and soak filters and dispose of as asbestos-containing waste.
Once in the shower, the inspector should clean non-disposable items and them place them into the clean room without stepping into the clean room. Care should be taken not to get the respirator filters wet at this point. Then the inspector should thoroughly wet their entire bode. At his point, the respirator may be removed.

25. In the Shower Area, cont.
Clean the respirator and place it in the clean room.
Remove and thoroughly rinse bathing suit. Put it in a plastic bag and place in the clean room.
Finish showering, thoroughly washing the entire body with soap and water.
Proceed to the clean room.
The respirator should be thoroughly cleaned and placed in the clean room. Next, the bathing suit is removed and thoroughly cleaned in the shower. Finally, the inspector washes their entire body with soap and water and proceeds to the clean room. 25 25

26. In the Clean Room Dry off and dress in street clothes.
If available and permitted, place all disposables (including used towels) in a labeled asbestos waste bag.
Otherwise, place disposables in a labeled plastic bag and remove for proper disposal.
Once in the clean room, the inspector dries off and dresses in their street clothes. On asbestos abatement projects there is often a labeled asbestos waste bag for disposables, including towels. If not, place the disposables in a labeled plastic and remove for later proper disposal. 26 26

27. Entering and Exiting Sites Without a Three-Stage Decontamination System

28. Before Entering the Contaminated Area
Examine your respirator thoroughly.
Make sure all materials are assembled to conduct the inspection safely:
Protective clothing
Respirator
Duct tape
Extra plastic bags
Spray bottle
Disposable towels
Flashlight
Camera
For the most part, the procedures for entering a site without an existing three-stage decontamination system is the same as a site with a decontamination system. The big difference is the “double suit” method, which will be explained in a later slide. 28 28

29. Before Entering the Contaminated Area, cont.
All Materials carried into the contaminated area should be sealed in plastic bags to minimize contamination.
If a non-waterproof camera is used, seal it in an impermeable clear camera box.
Protects the camera
Facilitates decontamination
Anything carried into abatement work areas can become contaminated and should be sealed in plastic bags.
If your camera is not waterproof, it should likewise be placed in a plastic bag or an impermeable clear camera box. 29 29

30. Before Entering the Contaminated Area, cont.
Leave all street clothing on.
Short-sleeve shirts and short pants are preferable.
If you are wearing long sleeves or long pants, roll them up.
Don inner booties and inner disposable coveralls over street clothes.
Inner footwear and foot coverings are not necessary if steel-shank/steel-toe or washable boots are worn.
As opposed to sites with an attached three-chamber decontamination system, street clothes are worn underneath protective clothing. Short-sleeved shirts and short pants are prefered. With long sleeve shirts and long pants, the shirt sleeves and pant legs should be rolled up before putting on the inner protective suit. 30 30

31. Before Entering the Contaminated Area, cont.
Don outer disposable coveralls.
Wear disposable, reinforced or steel-shank/steel-toe or washable rubber boots over coveralls.
If boots will be worn elsewhere, use rubber (or equivalent) covers.
NEVER use disposable coverall booties as the only foot covering!
After the first protective coverall is donned and secure, and second suit is put on. As before, steel-shank/steel toe (as requirements dictate) or washable rubber boots should be put on over the protective coverall. 31 31

32. Before Entering the Contaminated Area, cont.
Respiratory protection is inspected, put on and +/- fit checked.
Hood is put OVER the respirator straps.
Don disposable gloves. Use tape to seal them to the coveralls.
Proceed to the contaminated area and conduct the inspection.
After the suit is donned, the respirator is donned.
The hood should be OVER the respirator straps
This is an important point; if straps are over the hood the respirator will have to be removed to remove the hood/suit. 32 32

33. Before Leaving the Contaminated Area
While standing near the exit, HEPA vacuum (if possible) and wet wipe all visible debris from the outer protective clothing.
Use a spray bottle with amended water and disposable towels to wet wipe the suit.
Use plenty of water!
Standing at the doorway inside the work area, remove the outer protective clothing and immediately step out of the work area.
Place all disposable materials in a proper container for disposal.
Just before leaving the contaminated area (standing near the exit), HEPA vacuum and wet wipe all visible debris from the outer protective clothing.
Remove the outer protective clothing and step out of the contaminated area. 33 33

34. Outside the Contaminated Area
Thoroughly wet wipe and mist spray the respirator and inner protective clothing.
Move away from the doorway and remove the respirator and inner protective clothing.
Place all disposable materials into a proper container for disposal.
Seal all contaminated non-disposable materials in a plastic and take them with you to decontaminate later.
Wet wipe and HEPA vacuum the inner protective clothing, step away from the entrance to the contaminated area and remove the inner protective clothing. 34 34

35. THE END
Questions?
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