Transcript Persona Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for
UCLA Research Laboratories
An Online Tutorial
January 2009
Protecting Yourself from Laboratory
Hazards
This tutorial is designed to introduce you to
the personal protective equipment required
for safe laboratory use at UCLA.
Protecting Yourself from Laboratory
Hazards
Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is
actually the last line of defense when
protecting yourself in the laboratory.
Your department will first engage
engineering or administrative controls to
reduce or eliminate hazards.
Engineering Controls: The Preferred Method
• Engineering Controls are built
into an operation and require
no activation from the
employee.
• Examples include self-capping
syringe needles, ventilation
systems, fume hoods and
substitution to a less hazardous
process or chemical.
Administrative Controls: Second Line of
Defense
• Administrative Controls are changes
in work practices and procedures
implemented to reduce exposure.
• Less effective method used when
engineering controls are not feasible.
• Examples include written operating
procedures, training and limiting
exposure times.
The Facts about PPE
• PPE is defined as a device or
clothing worn by a worker to help
prevent direct exposure to hazards.
• PPE is the least preferred
method of protection, and
should be used following
engineering and administrative
controls methods.
• Examples include gloves, lab
coat and safety glasses.
Basic, but Important Information
• Always wear a lab coat in the laboratory.
• Do not wearing tank-tops and shorts
inside a lab.
• Tie back or secure long hair and loose
clothing. Keep beards trimmed.
• Wear shoes that protect or cover your
feet. Do not wear flip-flops, sandals or
perforated shoes.
Minimum Lab PPE Requirements
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•
•
•
•
Protective eye wear
Lab coat
Long pants
Close-toed shoes
Chemical resistant gloves (when
working with hazardous substances)
Other PPE may also be required,
depending on the operation.
Facts about Safety Eyewear
• Goggles protect against dust or splash hazards.
• Safety glasses are designed for impact
protection from flying particles and debris.
• Face shield offers impact and splash protection
to the face (wear with, not in place of, safety
glasses or goggles).
• When working with lasers or UV light, specialty
eyewear may be necessary.
– Make sure the eyewear has the proper attenuation
factor and filters radiation to an acceptable level.
Appropriate Gloves: Chemical
Compatibility
Three important properties determine the type of
chemical-resistant gloves worn:
1.
Chemical degradation – Some chemicals cause gloves to
deteriorate, rendering them useless. For example, most
organic solvents will dissolve latex rubber.
2.
Permeation rate – The rate at which a specific chemical
diffuses through glove material.
3.
Breakthrough time - The amount of time required for a given
chemical to penetrate through a glove.
Did you know that thicker gloves may increase breakthrough
times, but may have little effect on permeation or
degradation? Choose your gloves carefully.
Example of Glove Selection Chart from
Glove Manufacturers
Glove Materials
Chemical (Organic
Acids)
Natural Rubber
Neoprene
Butyl
PVC
Nitrile
Vitonâ
Acetic acid
2
3
4
2
1
4
Formic acid
2
3
4
3
2
2
Lactic Acid
4
4
4
3
4
4
Maleic acid
3
3
2
3
3
4
Oxalic acid
4
4
4
4
4
4
Selection Key:
4
Excellent, breakthrough times generally greater than 8 hours.
3
Good, breakthrough times generally greater than 4 hours.
2
Fair, breakthrough times generally greater than 1 hour.
1
Not Recommended, breakthrough times generally less than 1
hour.
?
Not Tested or No Information, check other references.
As you can see on this
chart, not all gloves are
created equal. Use
care when selecting the
appropriate gloves for
your work.
Select PPE to Protect Your Skin
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•
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Choose PPE to protect against the
specific agent you are working with.
Cover any portion of the skin that is
likely to be exposed
Examples include lab coats, aprons,
sleeves, coveralls, head coverings, or
protective footwear.
Protect Against Inhalation Hazards
• The use of a respirator may be
necessary to protect against
vapors and chemical
particulates.
• The keys to effective respirator
use are proper fit and the
selection of the appropriate
Did you know that anyone using a respirator (including N95 dust
masks) must first receive a medical evaluation, approval, and
training, which is available through Environment, Health and
Safety?
Protect Your Hearing
• Earplugs, muffs, canal caps and noise
reduction helmets can be used to reduce
the level of noise exposure.
• Contact your EH&S laboratory safety
officer for a noise evaluation.
Once You Have it, Take Care of it:
PPE Maintenance
• Always inspect PPE for damage (tears,
holes, worn elastic, etc.) and contamination
prior to use.
• If an item cannot be properly cleaned or
becomes damaged it should be discarded.
When in doubt, throw it out.
• Reusable PPE should be immediately
cleaned after each use with the appropriate
cleanser (usually soap and water).
Contamination Control
• Disposable items should only be used once
and replaced when contaminated.
• Always assume PPE is contaminated: it is
worn to protect against hazardous
substances.
• Remove PPE prior to exiting the lab to help
prevent the spread of contamination.
• Be sure you know the proper methods for
putting on, taking off and fit-checking any
PPE worn.
Avoid Contamination: A Few Tips
• Wash your hands after
working in the lab.
• Do NOT eat or drink in the
lab, or store any food items
in the lab area.
• Do NOT apply cosmetics in
the lab.
Prevent Damage: Store PPE Properly
• Separate from chemicals and other
contaminants.
• Store away from sources of heat
• Do not store under heavy objects
• Be aware that some equipment may
have a limited shelf life.
Remember the Limitations of PPE
• No single PPE will protect you from all
hazards.
• Consider permeation rates, compatibility and
degradation for the chemicals you are working
with.
• PPE may limit your dexterity, vision, grip
strength, or comfort. Plan your work
accordingly.
When Choosing PPE…
• What engineering or administrative controls can
be used instead?
• What are the hazards you are trying to protect
against?
• What is the compatibility and resistance to
chemical damage?
• Does it fit? Is it comfortable?
• Is it durable?
• Does it allow for dexterity and range of motion?
• Does the PPE meet any applicable standards?
• Would the PPE inhibit your normal work tasks?
• Would wearing the PPE cause other hazards?
Remember:
PPE is intended to reduce, not eliminate, exposure!
For information regarding PPE selection,
use or maintenance, please contact
Environment, Health and Safety at
(310)825-5689.