Topic 2: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hand Protection PPE: Disposable gloves (e.g. latex/nitrile, usually nitrile)

- Disposable gloves prevent the spread of infection and protects against direct contact with biological hazards, reducing the risks associated with absorption through the skin or ingestion. -Nitrile gloves offer general resistance to chemicals, punctures and abrasions (usually used in chemical lab setting)

Ear Protection PPE

- Hearing protection must be used to reduce the impact of excessive noisy environment and risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss. - Hearing protection is needed when the sound a person is exposed to is over 85 decibels (dB)

Hand Protection PPE: Thermal gloves

- Insulated gloves - guard the hands against extreme temperatures such as hot temperatures (using autoclave) or cryogenic liquids (handling liquid nitrogen).

Hand Protection PPE: Cuts or puncture resistant gloves

- Metal mesh gloves - protect the hands from cuts, scratches and punctures. - These can be used when laboratory staff handle live animals, food processing etc.

Foot Protection PPE: Disposable shoe covers

- Provides a barrier against possible exposure to infectious organisms or contact with contaminants. - Prevents the spread of contaminants that come into contact with shoes. - Used widely in healthcare industry

Hand Protection PPE: Chemical resistant gloves

-Thicker gloves typically made with a rubber material such as butyl or nitrile. -Prevents injuries resulting from exposure to corrosive or toxic chemicals.

Foot Protection PPE: Safety boots

1.Waterproof safety boots: -Prevents the risk of slip and fall injuries in wet and slippery conditions 2.Heat resistant safety boots: -Prevents injuries from exposure to high temperatures, - made of material which can withstand extreme heat 3.Chemical resistant safety boots: - Prevents injuries from Splash/spill hazards or direct contact with certain chemicals like corrosive acids 4.Steel-toed safety shoes/boots: - Prevents injuries from Impact or compression from heavy objects, cuts and abrasions

Why PPE is the least desirable form of Hazard control:

According to hierarchy of risk control measures: • PPE is the last resort in the prevention of injuries. • Risks must first be eliminated or reduced by engineering or administrative methods. • PPE can be used to complement, but not to replace engineering methods. • Use of PPE will not remove the hazards, It can only minimize the severity of injuries should an accident occur or when exposed to hazards.

Foot protection (types of PPE)

Closed-toed footwear, shoe covers, rubber boots

PPE (definition)

Clothing and equipment worn to minimise exposure to a variety of hazards, including aerosols, splashes, accidental inoculation, noise and falling objects. -PPE will depend on the nature of the work and the biosafety level

Hand Protection (types of PPE)

Disposable gloves (latex/nitrile), chemical resistant gloves, thermal gloves, cuts or puncture resistant gloves

Ear protection (types of PPE)

Ear plugs, ear muffs

Respiratory protection (types of PPE)

Filtering respirators, half-face/full-face respirators, powered air purifying respirators

Body Protection (types of PPE)

Laboratory coats, surgical gowns, coveralls, fullbody suits

Eye & Face protection PPE

Must be used when performing any processes which involve any risk of injury to the eyes and face from any flying particles or fragments, infectious substances, hazardous chemical splashes, laser and welding work

Eye & Face protection (types of PPE)

Safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields

Head protection (types of PPE)

Safety helmets

Body Protection PPE: Full Body Suits (e.g positive pressure suits)

• Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) facilities are used to handle dangerous/exotic agents which pose high risk of life-threatening diseases (Ex: Ebola virus) • Standard PPE (front-buttoned lab coats, safety goggles) are not sufficient to protect the users from the high risk biohazards involved in these facilities. • Positive pressure suits which provides full body protection creates a complete physical barrier between the user and the surrounding laboratory space. • It is air-tight and designed to prevent contamination to the wearer even if the suit becomes damaged. - The positive pressurization offers additional protection in the event of exposure through a defect or puncture in the suit, for if the suit's integrity is compromised, air will be forced out instead of being sucked in. - gloves and footwear are included in the suit * Gloves should also be worn in addition for double layer protection (nitrile gloves)

Ear Protection PPE: Ear plugs

• Can be inserted in to the ear canal. These are small plugs that seals the external edges of the ear canal. Ex: disposable foam ear plugs, re-usable pre-molded ear plugs • Some ear plugs have a headband that holds the inserts in place. • Ear plugs can generally reduce noise reaching the ear by 25dB - 30dB * Ear plugs and ear muffs are equally effective

Eye & Face protection PPE: Face shields

• Consist of a transparent shield that stretches completely across the width of the face and protects the user's face from chemical splashes, sprays, flying particles or fragments. *Face shields should be worn when working with corrosive chemicals (nitric/sulfuric acid) which can cause skin burns/liquid nitrogen which causes frostbite • For maximum protection against chemical splashes, it should be worn with safety goggles. • Full face shields provide protection for both the face and the neck.

Full body suits - Ex: Positive pressure suits used in BSL-4 facilities

• Fresh, filtered air is typically supplied to the interior of the suit via overhead tubing. • Extensive training is required to safely use a positive pressure suit within a biosafety facility.

Head Protection PPE

• Head protection must be worn when there is danger of being struck by falling objects or materials due to the nature of work or environment.

Respiratory Protection PPE: Filtering Respirators (e.g. Disposable N95 Masks)

• Protect the users from inhalation of infectious microorganisms, dust, fumes and mists. • They are designed to fit snugly and efficiently filter out at least 95% of airborne particles. • N95 respirators are used when conducting aerosol-producing tests, working with live animals or infectious agents. *• They do not provide protection against harmful gases or vapours. (eg toxic gases)

Body Protection PPE: Coveralls

• Protective coveralls ensure a high level of protection during work activities. • They cover or replace personal clothing and protects the user from variety of hazards including chemical, biological, mechanical, thermal and electrical hazards. Examples: production of pharmaceuticals, pathogen handling, chemical handling, welding industry.

Eye & Face protection PPE: Safety goggles

• Provides a higher level of protection compared to safety glasses as it forms a seal around the eyes, eye sockets and surrounding areas. • This creates a barrier against splashing or spraying chemicals or infectious material, flying particles (sawdust) and protects the wearer against impact.

Respiratory Protection PPE

• Respirators will prevent the risk of exposure to infectious aerosols, dust, fumes and mists that are hazardous that can be transmitted through the inhalation route & provide protection against toxic/harmful gases + oxygen deficiency ( specifically powered air respirators) -Four factors to consider for the use of respirators: 1. The training required before using a respirator. 2. Hazard assessment required to determine the correct type of respirator to use 3. Tight-fitting respirators need to be individually fit-tested prior to use (no gaps should be present, respirator must be fully sealed to the face) 4. Fit test should be carried out at least once annually for tight-fitting respirators

Head Protection PPE: Safety Helmets

• Safety helmets can prevent or minimise injuries to the head, skull and brain. • They are made of variety of material including aluminum alloys, polyethylene, polycarbonate etc. with cushioning effect for impact

Body Protection PPE: Surgical Gowns

• Surgical gowns help protect the wearer from infectious materials and keep them from spreading contamination beyond the workplace. • These generally feature long sleeves with elastic cuffs, an opening in the back, a close fit to the body and full coverage of an employee's lap while sitting.

Foot Protection PPE

• The use of various types of closed-toed protective footwear will prevent or minimize foot injury from extreme heat and cold, wet/slippery surfaces, chemical or biological spills, electrical hazards, impact from falling objects or any hazardous sharp objects on the floor. • The type of protective footwear used will depend on the type or nature of the hazard

Ear Protection PPE: Ear muffs

• These are cups made of light metal or plastic and filled with sound absorbent material. They are held together with a headband. • Ear muffs can reduce noise by an additional 10dB - 15dB when worn together with ear plugs, making it more effective in muffling sound out, protecting people from over exposure to loud noises * Ear muffs and ear plugs more or less reduce noise reaching the ear by 25dB-30dB, the additional 10dB-15dB is when worn together

Respiratory Protection PPE: Half-face/Full-face respirators

• They are reusable and have replaceable filters/cartridges that purify the air the wearer breathes. • Provides protection against infectious agents, gases or vapours, particles, fumes and mist. (includes toxic/harmful gases) • full-face respirators cover the entire face and protect the eyes and surrounding facial areas in addition to the nose, mouth and chin

Respiratory Protection PPE: Powered air purifying respirators

• Uses a blower to force air through filter cartridges and into the breathing zone of the wearer. • Provides protection against infectious agents, gases or vapors, particles, fumes and mist. • Provides increased protection and decrease the likelihood of infection transmission to the wearer than filtering, half-face or full-face respirators. *can protect against oxygen deficiency

Eye & Face protection PPE: Safety glasses

• Usually feature lightweight metal or plastic frames, polycarbonate lenses that offer impact-resistance, ultraviolet (UV) light protection and anti-fog capabilities. • Since these glasses do not form a seal around the eyes, they are only recommended for use in low-hazard settings

Body protection PPE: Laboratory coats

• lab coats protect the skin from hazardous spills or splashes and provides a removable barrier. • It also prevents contamination of clothing. - Lab coats should not be worn outside of the laboratory to prevent the spread of contamination to the outside environment. • Traditional: -Traditional lab coats may be made of lightweight, breathable cotton or a polyester-cotton material. - protect the skin and clothing from dirt, dyes, radioactive substances and low-risk chemicals or biohazards. *This type of lab coat is not suitable if fire hazards are present. • Flame-resistant: -Flame-resistant lab coats consist of material which are highly resistant to temperatures. -These coats may be appropriate in labs where workers handle flammable or potentially explosive chemicals.