Unit 7. Personal Protective Equipment

Question 1

What do we call clothing and devices worn to protect the human body from contact with pesticides and pesticide residues?

Answer 1

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Question 2

By law, how much personal protective equipment (PPE) must you wear for a given pesticide-handling situation?

Answer 2

At least the PPE listed on the labeling:
* Note that the minimum PPE may differ for each pesticide-handling task. Consult the label for each handling task (ex. mixing and loading, spraying, re-entry, cleanup, etc.).
* Note that you may wear additional PPE but never less than specified on the label.

Question 3

Some pesticide labeling requires you to wear “chemical resistant” personal protective equipment. What does “chemical resistant” mean?

Answer 3

The PPE will pass no measurable amount of pesticide during the period of use.

Question 4

True or False: Cotton and leather are “chemical resistant.”

Answer 4

False. Cotton, leather and other absorbent materials are not chemical resistant, even to dry formulations. Powders and dusts may move through cotton and other woven materials as quickly as liquid formulations.

Question 5

Which of the following materials is likely to be chemical resistant?
1. Plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
2. Synthetic rubber such as butyl, nitrile, neoprene, or viton rubber.
3. Non-woven fabrics coated with plastic or another barrier matierial.
4. Barrier-laminate materials.
5. All of the above.

Answer 5

5. All of the above.

All of these materials may be used in the construction of chemical resistant gloves, boots, aprons, suits, and hoods.

Note: Any and all materials are likely to break down over time, when exposed to pesticides. Always check and discard items that show signs of failure.

Question 6

What are some signs that a material is not chemically resistant to a pesticide?

Answer 6

• The material changes color.
• The material becomes spongy, swells, or bubbles up.
• The material dissolves or becomes like jelly.
• The material cracks or develops holes.
• The material becomes stiff or brittle.

Question 7

How should you wear spray coveralls?

Answer 7

1. Wear spray coveralls over another layer of clothing – each layer adds a protective layer of air and fabric.
2. Coveralls should fit loosely so that there is a layer of air between the coverall and the skin or inner clothing.
3. Should be solidly made with sealed seams and overlapping closures (no gapping or fasteners that easily become unfastened).
4. Made of sturdy material with covered zippers and elastic at the wrists and ankles.

Question 8

When should you wear a chemical-resistant suit?

Answer 8

1. When the label requires it.
2. If you believe that a significant amount of pesticide may be deposited on your clothing over an extended period of time.

Chemical resistant suits made of rubber or plastic are often called “rain suits.” They are sold as coveralls or as jacket and pants. Chemical resistant suits made of coated nonwoven fabric usually are sold as one-piece coveralls

Question 9

What is the biggest problem with chemical-resistant suits?

Answer 9

They do not breathe and therefore, can be hot to wear. Since heat stress is likely to be a concern, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent rest breaks.

Question 10

The product label may require you to wear a chemical-resistant apron when mixing and loading a pesticide or when cleaning application equipment.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of a chemical-resistant apron, as compared to a chemical-resistant suit.

Answer 10

Advantage. An apron is cooler than a chemical-resistant suit.
Disadvantage: Can be a safety hazard when you are working around equipment with moving parts. Also, does not provide full coverage.

Question 11

Why should you wear chemical-resistant gloves when handling or mixing pesticides?

Answer 11

Pesticide handlers are most likely to get pesticides on their hands and forearms. By wearing chemical-resistant gloves, you can reduce pesticide exposure to hands by 99%. Most product labels will require the use of chemical-resistant gloves except when handling certain fumigants.

Question 12

If you need to remove your gloves while handling pesticides, what do you do to avoid contaminating your hands or the inside of your gloves?

Answer 12

1. Wash gloves thoroughly before taking them off.
2. Wash hands thoroughly and dry them before putting gloves on again.

Question 13

For overhead exposure or exposure to airborne particles, you should wear something to protect your head and neck. Describe headgear that are good choices.

Answer 13

1. Chemical-resistant hoods.
2. Wide-brimmed, unlined hats.
3. Plastic safari hats with plastic sweatbands for summer wear.
4. Hats MUST NOT be made of absorbent materials such as cotton, leather or straw.

Note that many chemical-resistant jackets or coveralls come with an attached, protective hood.

Question 14

When the pesticide labeling requires protective eyewear, what should you wear?

Answer 14

Chemical splash-proof goggles, a face shield, or safety glasses with brow and side shields. Shielded safety glasses and full-face shields are comfortable and give excellent eye protection.

Question 15

Your lungs are much more absorbent than your skin, which is why you need to be careful when working around pesticides. When should you wear a respirator?

Answer 15

• If you are handling a product where the label states “Do not breathe vapors or spray mist,” or “Harmful or fatal if inhaled.”
• If you will be exposed to any pesticide that could be inhaled.

Question 16

Name and briefly describe the two (2) main types of respirators.

Answer 16

• Atmosphere (air)-supplying respirators which provide clean air from a portable air tank (SCBA) or an airline connected to an offsite tank/compressor.
• Air-purifying respirators which remove contaminants from the surrounding air using a cartridge, canister, or particulate filter.

Question 17

There are two (2) types of atmosphere (air)-supplying respirators – SCBA and airline. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?

Answer 17

Advantages: SCBA are self-contained and so the wearer has maximum mobility. Airline is lightweight (user doesn’t have to wear an air tank) and inexpensive.

Disadvantages. SCBA is limited to 60 minutes or so but may be much less time if the user is working hard. Airline is connected to fresh air supply by a hose which limits his/her movement and which can become kinked or crushed, cutting off the air supply.

Question 18

Briefly explain how an air-purifying respirator works.

Answer 18

Air-purifying respirators remove particles as well as toxic gases and vapors. They use filters, sorbents, and catalysts to trap and remove contaminants from the air.

When you breathe in, you draw air from outside the respirator, through air-purifying filters and into the mask. The filtering material absorbs impurities as the air passes through.

Question 19

Briefly explain how a loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) works.

Answer 19

Loose-fitting respirators use a blower to move contaminated air through one or more purifying filters into a head covering that resembles a helmet or hood. The positive pressure that is created inside the helmet or hood keeps contaminants out of the headpiece. Purified air circulates over the user’s head, face, and neck and provides some cooling.

Question 20

What are the advantages of a loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)?

Answer 20

• Because they do not have to form a seal, they are a good option for those with facial hair.
• Because they do not seal, the user doesn’t need to use as much lung power to breathe so they are not nearly as tiring.
• Because they do not seal, they do not require a fit test/fit check.
• Because air in constantly flowing into the helmet/hood, loose-fitting PAPR are not as hot as face-sealing respirators.

Question 21

Nonpowered air-purifying respirators can be half-face or full-face devices. What are the three (3) basic styles of nonpowered air-purifying respirators?

Answer 21

1. Particulate-filtering respirators cover the nose and mouth to filter out dusts, mists, powders and particles. These can be as basic as an N95 mask.
2. Cartridge respirators usually rely on a cartridge that is approved for removing organic vapors (OV). Most use a particulate prefilter that is mounted on top of the cartridge. Most cartridge respirators are intended for reuse and use a disposable cartridge; others may be “single use” and when the cartridge is spent, the entire mask is discarded.
3. Canister respirators have a facepiece that is attached by a hose to a canister that contains both gas- and vapor-removing material. They may last longer and give better protection when the concentration of gas or vapor is high than do cartridge respirators. However, they are heavier and more uncomfortable to wear.

Question 22

Filters (and pre-filters) are classified based on oil degradation resistance and filter efficiency. They are commonly rated as “N”, “R” “P” or “HE” with a number such as “95” which indicates that the filtering efficiency is 95%.

What do the letters “N”, “R”, or “P” signify?

Answer 22

• N means not oil resistant.
• R means limited oil resistance.
• P means oil proof.
• HE means high-efficiency.

Question 23

How do you know if a respirator is suitable for pesticide applications?

Answer 23

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is responsible for testing and certifying respirators. All respirators reviewed by the agency receive a “TC” number. Pesticide labels often specify the type of respirator required by listing its TC schedule number.

Below are several types of respirators and their TC schedule number:
* TC-84A - nonpowered, particulate-filtering respirators (N, R, P or HE filters).
* TC-21C - powered, air-purifying, particulate filtering respirators only (100 series filters).
* TC-14G - gas mask with canister.
* TC-13F - self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Question 24

What is a fit test?

Answer 24

A fit test is a method used to choose the right size respirator for a particular user. OSHA requires a fit test before using a respirator for the first time, when using a different facepiece, and at one year intervals thereafter. Anyone using a positive- or negative-pressure, tight-fitting facepiece respirator MUST perform a fit test.

Question 25

Describe two types of fit tests.

Answer 25

Qualitative: The test operator releases an irritant smoke and the wearer makes movements (head, arms, etc.) to see if he/she can detect the smoke.
Quantitative. A special cartridge with a built-in sensor is mounted on the respirator. The sensor is connected to a device that is capable of counting particles inside the mask. The wearer makes movements (head, arms, etc.) to confirm that the respirator is well-sealed.

Question 26

What is a fit check?

Answer 26

A fit check (user seal check) is a test to make sure the respirator is positioned properly and forms a complete seal around the face. It has two parts:
* a positive-pressure check (breathing out)
* a negative-pressure check (breathing in).

Do a fit check each time you put on the respirator – before you enter the target area.

Question 27

Name at least four (4) types of pesticide applications that might require extra PPE (more than specified on the product label).

Answer 27

1. Carrying application equipment (front or back).
2. Entering the path of released pestcide.
3. Walking into a just-treated area.
4. Using high-exposure application methods where the pestcide may engulf you.
5. Applying pesticides in enclosed spaces.
6. Adjusting pesticide-coated equipment.
7. Immersing hands and forearms in pestcides.
8. Applying pesticides into or across air currents.
9. Applying concentrated pesticides.

Question 28

Some PPE is intended to be discarded rather than washed and reused. Name some PPE items that are considered disposable.

Answer 28

• Inexpensive gloves, footwear, and aprons made of thin vinyl, latex or polyethylene.
• Nonwoven coveralls and hoods.
• Disposable filtering facepiece respirators, canisters, gas- and vapor-removing cartridges and cartridge respirators with permanently-attached cartridges.

Question 29

If your chemical resistant gloves are reusable, how often should you replace them?

Answer 29

Usually after 5 - 7 days. Extra-heavy-duty gloves of butyl or nitrile rubber may last as long as 10 - 14 days. Immediately replace gloves that have holes or show signs of breakdown.

Question 30

Should you try and launder a reusable coverall that has had a highly toxic pesticide concentrate spilled on it?

Answer 30

No. Cut it up and dispose of it at a hazardous waste collection site.

Question 31

How should you wash your pesticide-contaminated clothing (not your PPE, but rather the clothing that you wear under your coveralls, etc.)?

Answer 31

1. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and apron.
2. Work in a well-ventilated area, if possible.
3. Do not inhale steam from the washer or dryer.

Question 32

How should you wash your pesticide-contaminated PPE?

Answer 32

This is for lightly- to moderately-contaminated PPE.
1. Wash only a few items at a time.
2. Pretreat with heavy-duty liquid detergent or pretreatment product.
3. Wash using heavy-duty liquid detergent on hot cycle. Use the longest wash cycle and rinse twice.
4. Wash PPE a second time using the same instructions.
5. After a second wash, run washer through an entire cycle to clean the machine.

Do not try and wash heavily contaminated PPE. Put into a plastic bag, cut up items to prevent reuse, and dispose of at a hazardous household waste collection site.

Question 33

Describe how to properly care for a respirator between handling tasks.

Answer 33

1. Wipe the respirator body and facepiece with a clean cloth.
2. Use disposable wipe pads to sanitize and freshen the facepiece.
3. If possible, replace caps over cartridges, canisters and filters.
4. Store the respirator in a tight container such as a sturdy ziploc bag.

Question 34

Describe how to properly care for a respirator at the end of the day.

Answer 34

1. Remove the filters. Most filters should be discarded.
2. Take the cartridges or canister off of the respirator. If still usable, replace their caps and seal them in a tight container such as a ziploc bag.
3. Wash the respirator body, facepiece, and any reusable filters. Soak them for 2 minutes in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of hot (110 degree) water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
4. Store the respirator and any reusable cartridges, canisters, and filters in an airtight container away from sunlight, humidity, extreme temperatures and other chemicals and pestcides.
5. If the respirator is disposable, discard according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Question 35

How do you know when to replace the particulate filter in a fltering facepiece respirator?

Answer 35

When breathing becomes difficult. Eight hours is usually the limit.

Question 36

How do you know when to replace gas- and vapor-removing cartridges and canisters?

Answer 36

Immediately, if you begin to smell, taste, or feel irritation from pesticide gases or vapors.

Otherwise, refer to the end-of-service-life indicator is so equipped; or consult manufacturer’s instructions.