Environmental workers must face an onslaught of vapors, gases, and particulates from hazardous materials, body fluids, flammable liquids, chemicals, and other environmental dangers. Protecting environmental workers from harmful substances can be accomplished with the right personal protective clothing, equipment, and procedures.
Based on the nature of the setting and contaminant, environmental workers must refer to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the level of personal protective equipment (PPE) required. All physical hazards must be considered for proper PPE selection.
Level A protection has the highest risk to hazard exposure and requires the highest level of eye, respiratory, and skin protection. Level A PPE requirements include:
Level B protection is required for areas that require the highest level of protection and a lower level of outer layer inner layer skin protection. This level is required in areas where ambient atmospheric vapors or gases are not at a high enough concentration to require Level A protection. Types of PPE in level B include:
Level C protection is needed when the workers know the type of airborne substances they are working with, their concentration, and the criteria for using air purifying respirators is met. Level C PPE includes:
Level D protection is the lowest level where the minimum amount of PPE is required. This level can offer enough protection in areas where no contaminants are present or work operations preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential of an expected inhalation or contact with harmful chemicals. Level D PPE includes:
A PPE hazard assessment helps environmental workers evaluate the environmental health hazards that they may be exposed to and helps them determine the appropriate PPE to use. A baseline survey can help evaluate the hazard levels in the workplace and create a PPE program. Refer to OSHA standards on their website for more information on different types of PPE commonly used to protect the health of employees.
A proper PPE hazard assessment can help employees identify the types of workplace hazards, where they are located, and the severity of potential injury.
A complete PPE hazard assessment includes:
Comprehensive PPE plans can protect employees by encouraging safe workplace practices and the appropriate administrative and engineering controls.
Environmental workers may require a wide range of eye and face protection including safety glasses, safety goggles, and face shields. Face and eye protection is designed to limit the risk of being exposed to chemical splashes, laser radiation, and flying debris.
PPE for face and eye protection includes:
Head protection for environmental workers can be as simple as a disposable bouffant cap to keep aerosols away from the head during sensitive operations. In a work area with overhead hazards, hard hats can reduce the force of impact of falling objects.
Head PPE include:
Hand and arm protection varies based on the level of protection needed. In some cases, environmental workers may require several types of gloves throughout the process and multiple layers for increased safety.
Hand protection is required to reduce the risk of absorbing harmful substances, biological hazards, cuts, open flames, punctures from sharp objects, chemical or thermal burns, and electrical hazards.
As a rule of thumb, loose gloves should not be worn near moving machinery since they can get caught on a moving part and pull the hand and arm into the moving parts of the machinery. In addition, employees should wash hands after removing their gloves.
Consult the SDS of chemicals to ensure you are wearing the right type of gloves and the glove manufacturer to ensure the hand protection can protect employees from chemical resistance and permeation.
Hand PPE includes:
Noise monitoring is a critical aspect of a safe work site. In work areas with unsafe noise levels, hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs may be needed.
Hearing protectors include:
For environmental workers, inhalation hazards are one of the most common environmental health hazards at the work environment. A protective barrier against harmful airborne substances can help reduce the risk of developing negative health effects.
Environmental workers working outside a lab or healthcare setting do not have the ventilation systems needed to remove air contaminants from the work area. In areas with airborne contaminants that are not properly controlled, respiratory protection may be crucial.
Respiratory PPE includes:
Environmental workers can use body coverings, which includes such equipment as laboratory coats and scrubs to protect employees from chemical splashes and other hazards. In addition, body and skin protection may need to be resistant to flames or certain chemicals. This type of protection may be made out of a durable material such as leather and/or be made of highly visible materials suitable fo rthe work area.
Skin and body PPE includes:
Fall protection equipment is necessary in work areas where the risk of impact injuries from falling is high.
Fall protection and Impact equipment include:
Foot and leg protection is designed to reduce the risk of foot and leg injuries from such hazards including slippery surfaces, dangerous electrical exposure, falling objects, corrosive or poisonous materials, and other common workplace hazards.
Foot and leg PPE includes:
When trying on the proper protective barrier based on the specific hazards of the environment, the equipment should fit snugly, without being too loose or tight.
Supervisors should train all workers on how to properly don PPE before entering a work area and how to remove it after leaving. Before removal, the equipment should be inspected for signs of damage. If damaged, the wearer should be tested for exposure.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be inspected for tears and/or defects before and after it is worn. Regular inspection increases the longevity of equipment and safeguards the health of employees. Consider every aspect of the safety equipment:
All equipment must be properly maintained and cleaned after use to extend its function and protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials.
For the best selection of environmental health personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety apparel, safety glasses, hearing protection, work gloves, and head protection, shop at Baseline Equipment.
