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Appendix D - Training Program

Personal Protective Equipment / Levels of Protection

Objectives/Samples of Behavior:

1. Determine appropriate levels of protection for different situations.

2. Identify the properties and performance qualities of chemical protective clothing.

3. Explain potential attacks to chemical protective clothing that may occur.

1. Employer Responsibilities

1. 29 CFR 1910.132 through 29 CFR 1910.137

2. Employer to provide proper protection

2. Considerations for Selection

1. Known vs unknown

2. Types of chemicals present

3. Actual concentrations vs what exposure guidelines say

4. Work location & functions

5. Weather conditions

3. Types of CPC & Accessories

1. Totally-encapsulating chemical protective (TECP) suits

2. Non-encapsulating chemical protective (NECP) suits

3. Disposable overgarments

4. Levels of Protection

1. Level A - highest level

1. Conditions are unknown

2. Materials IDed & require highest level for skin, eyes, respiratory system

3. Operations in confined, poorly ventilated places

4. Work involves high potential for splash, immersion, or exposure to unexpected skin hazards

5. Level A equipment

SCBA

Fully encapsulting chemical resistant suit

Inner clothing

Chemical resistant gloves (inner & outer)

Chemical resistant safety boots

2-way radio (inherently safe)

Optional items

2. Level B - minimum level for entry into an unknown area

1. Air contaminants are unknown

2. Air contaminants have been IDed & criteria for using APRs are not met

3. IDLH air conditions exist

4. Atmosphere contains less than 19.5% oxygen, more than 10% LEL

5. Direct contact does not pose a severe skin hazard

6. Level B equipment

SCBA

Hooded chemical resistant clothing

Inner clothing

Chemical resistant gloves (inner & outer)

Chemical resistant safety boots

2-way radio (inherently safe)

Optional items

3. Level C

1. Air contaminants have been IDed & concentrations measured

2. Criteria for the use of APRs are met >19.5% O₂, <10% LEL

3. Direct contact does not pose a severe skin hazaard

4. Level C equipment

Air-purifying respirator (full-face)

Hooded chemical resistant clothing

Inner clothing

Chemical resistant gloves (inner & outer))

Chemical resistant safety boots

2-way radio (inherently safe)

Optional items

4. Level D

1. Atmosphere contains no known hazard

2. Type of work precludes the potential for unexpected exposure to hazardous levels of any substance

3. Basic safety & other hazards may be present

4. Level D equipment

Coveralls

Safety boots /shoes (leather or chemical resistant)

Optional items

Gloves

Disposable boot covers

Safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, or face shield

Hard hat

Escape mask

5. Performance Qualities

1. Chemical resistance

2. Durability

3. Flexibility

4. Aging resistance

5. Temperature resistance

6. Cleanability

7. Comfort & size

6. Attacks on CPC

1. Permeation - chemcial vapor passing through CPC material - factors affecting:

Type of materials

Thickness of materials

Type of chemical contaminant

2. Penetration - liquids passing though pores or flaws

3. Degradation - loss of resistance

4. Resistance to chemicals

1. Breakthrough time - time elapsed for chemical to fo from outer to inner surface

2. Permeation rate - how fast vapor goes through CPC - ug/cm²/min

7. Availability of Info on CPC

1. Government agency pubs

2. Published studies / guidelines

3. Computer databases

4. Vendor literature

1. Qualitative recommendations

2. Quantitative chemical resistance data

8. Basic Principles

1. No CPC is good for everything

2. None is impermeable

3. Select widest range of chemicals

1. Continuous flow

2. Pressure demand (respirator with regulator)

4. Negative pressure - pressure in mask less than the atmosphere outside during inhalation

1. No air supply

2. Demand (respirator with regulator)

9. Categories of Respirators

1. Air purifying respirators (APRs)

1. Remove contaminant

2. Usually operated in negative pressure mode (except powered air purifying respirators)

3. Not all contaminants can be removed

4. Airborne contaminants

Gas

Vapor

Aerosol:

Dust

Mist

Fume

Fiber

Smoke

5. NIOSH-approved particulate filters

Dust

Mist

Fume

HEPA - for aerosols with an OEL less than 0.05 mg/m3 and asbestos

Radon daughters

6. Particulate filters

Dust and mist - 80-90% efficiency at 0.6 micrometers

Fume - 90-99% efficiency at 0.6 micrometers

HEPA - 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 micrometers

7. Gas and vapor removing respirators (cartridge or canister)

Organic vapors

Acid gases

Ammonia

Combinations (gases, vapors, & particulates)

Specific approvals:

Carbon monoxide

Hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen cyanide

Vinyl chloride

Formaldehyde

Replacement of cartridge or canister:

When worker detects contaminant

End-of-service life indicator triggered

After established replacement time

8. Warning properties

Gases and vapors usually require adequate warning properties if an APR is used.

Adequate when a substance's odor, taste, or irritation effects are detectable and persistent at concentrations at or below the OEL.

9. Breakthrough time

Based on 1000 ppm - time to reach 1% (10 ppm)

10. Protection factors

APF - assigned protection factor

MUC - maximum use concentration

OEL - occupational exposure limit

MUC = APF x OEL

Assigned protection factors from AFOSH Standard 48-1

11. Advantages of APRs

Increased mobility

Light-weight

Less expensive for short-term jobs

12. Limitations of APRs

NOT for oxygen deficient atmospheres

AF definition:  Less than 19.5% oxygen

NOT for IDLH atmospheres

NOT for unknown concentrations

ONLY for contaminants specified on approval label

NOT for use in situations where concentration is greater than the MUC

Contaminant must have adequate warning properties

Correct filter must be chosen

Increased breathing resistance

Tight seal must be maintained

Leaks limit effectiveness

Facial hair cannot be present

2. Atmosphere-supplying respirator

1. Respirators which provide the wearer with a separate breathing air source independent of the atmosphere

2. Advantages

Provide a clean source of breathing air

No sorbent or filter limitations

In general, have higher APFs than APRs

3. Types

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Supplied-air (air-line) respirator

Hose masks (NOT used in Air Force)

4. Modes of operation

Positive pressure

Continuous flow

Pressure demand

Negative pressure

Demand (rarely used)

5. SCBAs - closed circuit (not used in AF)

Advantages

Longer duration

Light weight

Some are positive pressure

Disadvantages

Heat builds up

Liquid oxygen

Use near fire or heat sources discouraged by NIOSH

6. SCBAs - open circuit - approved

Advantages

Free, independent movement

Can be used in all atmospheres

Can be used in emergency operations and unknown atmospheres

None of the disadvantages of closed circuit SCBAs

Disadvantages

Limited air supply

Need refill capability

Heavy

Must be inspected before and after use

High pressure units need special compressors

7. Supplied air (airline) respirators - approved

Breathing air source

Air compressor

Cascade

Mobile systems

Advantages

Longer work time

Postivie pressure

Heating or cooling of air

Disadvantages

Must have clean air supply

Limited distance (<300 feet)

Air supply could be interrupted or line cut

Cannot be used in IDLH or oxygen deficient atmospheres (unless used with escape SCBA)

8. Escape SCBA

Used for escape from IDLH only

Average duration 5 to 10 minutes

EPA recommends hooded type

Hooded type have positive pressure (continuous flow)

Required by HAZWOPER if positive pressure SCBA not used for initial entry

10. Limitations of Respirators

1. Facial hair

2. Hot environments

3. Cold environments

4. Communications

11. Respirator Selection

1. Nature of hazard

2. Characteristics of operations and worker activity

3. Location of hazardous area

4. Duration of respirator use

5. Respirator capabilities and limitations

6. Primary considerations for APRs:

a.  O₂ concentration

b.  Chemical concentration

c.  Contaminant type - capor, dust, corrosive, what specific chemical, etc.

12. Training Requirements

1. Supervisor

2. Issuer

3. Wearer

1. Nature of hazard

2. Explanation of why other controls are not used

3. Explanation of respirator selection

4. Respirator operations, capabilities, and limitations

5. How to recognize and cope with emergencies

6. Maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage - individual use respirators

7. Special-use respirators

8. Need to inform supervisor of problems

9. Opportunity to wear respirator

10. Applicable regulations

13. Fit Testing

    1.  Qualitative

1. Banana oil or irritant smoke

2. Pass/Fail test

2. Quantitative

1. Portacount most common

2. Fit factor obtained

3. Pressure checks

1. Every time respirator is donned to ensure proper seal (face to facepiece)

2. Negative check:  close off air inlets, inhale & hold, remains collapsed = no leaks

3. Positive check:  close off exhalation outlet, exhale gently, slight positive pressure without leaks = satisfactory

14. Maintenance, Inspection, Cleaning, and Storage

1. Each person issued a respirator is responsible for its care

2. Maintenance/repairs - only by trained personnel - never repair beyond manufacturers instructions

3. Inspection - emergency use:  at least monthly - others: prior to use & after cleaning - keep records

4. Clean & sanitize - disinfect with household bleach solution - community use: before worn by another - emergency use: after used

5. Storage - protect against chemical/physical agents - emergency use:  accessible, clearly marked