Personal Protective Equipment

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Gloves

Protection against . .	Status	Selection	Correct Use		Comment
Mechanical abrasion and cuts.	Useful	Should be selected to fit well.	Very few gloves will protect against mechanical abrasion and chemicals.		Loose fitting or frayed gloves may be dangerous near machinery.
Chemicals - Solid, liquid, solvents, toxic chemicals.	Gloves should be used only as a last resort - in view of the known difficulties of their use for protection against chemicals*1.	The need to select a glove material that will resist the penetration of the chemical is clear. Specialist advice will be needed.	Correct donning and doffing is required to prevent contamination of the glove interior.		It is very difficult to select a glove that will resist a mixture of chemicals. The need to replace the glove may make their cost prohibitive*2.
Heat and cold	Insulation can often be applied to the items that are to be handled.	The handling time and the temperature of the handled objects will determine the insulation properties required			Holes can lead to immediate danger from hot items.
Water	Wet hands inside gloves (without any additional chemical exposure) can lead to serious skin effects.
Vibration	Efficacy questionable.	Padding may make them suitable only for gripping vibration tools		The extra muscle force needed when using gloves (up to 30% increase) may make them more tiring to use.
Infection control	A standard hygiene practice.	A variety may be required to protect against latex sensitivity		Latex sensitivity is a serious issue.
Mixed reasons	Very few gloves will protect, for example, against mechanical abrasion and chemicals. Double gloving may be the only solution.

Notes:

*1 Gloves can worsen skin effects when chemicals penetrate them.

*2 The frequency of replacement for effective protection can be very high.

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Hearing protection

Hearing protection (HP) should be regarded as expensive and ineffective in many situations. In all situations it should be a last resort. Reduction of noise at source is preferred. Only where noise cannot be eliminated or isolated should HP be used.

Selection

HP will be required whenever a person is exposed to:

• an average noise level of over 85 decibels for 8 hours or
• a peak noise level of 140 decibels.

Different classes of HP are available, and the one selected must protect against the level of noise, as follows:

Class	Highest noise level
12345	9095100105110

Either earmuffs or earplugs are acceptable, as long as they are chosen from the right class.

Information for employees using HP

• How to adjust and fit the HP
• How to clean and disinfect the HP and any maintenance requirements
• The consequences of not wearing the HP – even for a few minutes each day.

Employees should make it possible to for employees to don HP before entering noisy areas. Breaks in quiet areas will be needed when HP must be taken off.

Safe use of HP

1. Damaged or worn hearing protectors are ineffective. Earmuff cushions should be replaced when they wear (e.g 6 monthly). When the clamping force diminishes it is time to replace the whole protector (Usually 12 months).
2. HP needs to be cleaned, disinfected (if necessary) and stored properly to retain its effectiveness.
3. Not wearing a HP for part of the day reduces its effectiveness markedly:
• Not wearing a 30db protector for 5 minutes in 6 hours is the same as if the hearing protector was only able to give 18 dB protection.
4. If the seal against the skin is poor (e.g by wearing glasses) the protection provided may drop by several dB.
5. Earplugs have to be fitted properly or they don’t work.
6. Overprotection (selecting the next class up) may result in unacceptable interference with speech communication.
7. Stereo headphones only increase noise exposure.

From the above it is very clear why the control of noise at source is the preferred and less costly option.

A classified list of hearing protectors can be found on the DOL website at www.dol.govt.nz. Follow the link Health and Safety/ Publications and look for Hearing protectors – Selection and use of in the list of Noise publications.

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Respiratory protection

The object of respiratory protection is to protect the lungs against toxic contaminants –

• Dusts, fibres, mists or fumes
• Gases or vapours

Filters are used for this purpose.

Preventing suffocation through a lack of oxygen requires an active supply of air.

Although they are all called ‘respirators’, entirely different sorts of device/equipment are needed for these two different purposes.

Respirator Selection

The three types of respirator, and their several variants are listed. Their use is as shown in the table opposite.

• Air purifying Respirators – they remove either
  • Dusts - or
  • Gases or organic vapours or solvents

They may consist of:

• A papier mache type mask or
• A half face-piece mask or
• A full face-piece mask or
• A head covering or

These masks differ, in the order given, in their ability to provide a tight seal to the face.

Supplied air – an airline delivers clean air from outside the contaminated area to a respirator worn on the face.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus – (SCBA) compressed air bottles are worn on the user’s back.

Cautions

People who must use a respirator routinely must be given the opportunity for a full medical assessment in view of the extra effort on the lungs to use one, particularly if work requires any effort.

• Some people have impaired lung function
• People susceptible to asthma may have an attack precipitated
• People with heart disease or anaemia may be adversely affected
• People prone to epilepsy may be harmed if they are wearing a respirator and experience a seizure
• Glass or contact lenses can restrict the types of respirator that can be worn
• Claustrophobia may affect some people
• A good seal may be prevented by face structure (deep skin creases, prominent cheekbones etc) or facial hair

A complete summary of respiratory protection can be found on the DOL Website: www.dol.govt.nz.

Follow the Health and Safety/Publications link and search for the title in the section

A novel type of disposable respirator is available. Instead if being pulled onto the face with rubber bands, it sticks to the face (with surgical type glue).

Respiratory Protection Table

Type		To protect against	Dusts, Fumes, Mists and Fibres	Gases and Solvent Vapours	Lack of Oxygen
Air purifying filter types respirators	Particulate		Three levels of protection are available: P1, P2 and P3. See below Note 1	Not suitable, though some models are designed to protect against both	Unsuitable
	Gas		Not suitable, though some models are designed to protect against both	Cartridges are available for different gases. See below Note 2.
Supplied Air					Suitable
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus					Suitable

Note 1.

Class P1 filters: For mechanically generated dusts such as sanding, grinding, mining, etc.

Class P2 filters: For thermally generated contaminants e.g. in smelting or welding, where metallic fumes produced.

Class P3 filters: High-efficiency filters used with a full facepiece, which permits a very effective facial seal to prevent highly toxic or irritant particulate contaminants leaking into the respirator. This type of device is used when handling highly toxic dusts or powders, like organophosphate insecticides and radionuclides.

Note 2:

Cartridges are available for:

• Organic vapours
• Acid gases –  Chlorine, hydrogen sulphide hydrogen cyanide and sulphur dioxide
• combinations of a and b
• ammonia
• nitrous oxide
• highly volatile pesticides
• mercury
• volatile solvents

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Miscellaneous topics

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Skin Diseases

Contact dermatitis is of two kinds

• irritant and
• allergic.

These account for 60% of occupational dermatoses and from 40-70% of all occupationally-acquired illness!

Industries likely to result in dermatitis are:

• food handler/chef
• hairdresser/beautician
• medical/dental/nurse/veterinarian
• agriculture/florist/gardener
• cleaning/laundry
• painting
• mechanical/engineer
• printing/lithography
• construction.

Work-relatedness may be indicated by:

• the association of the condition with
• particular tasks
• exposure to particular substances
• its resolution when away from work.

Contact irritant dermatitis:

Contact irritant dermatitis occurs when an irritant is applied to the skin:

• in high enough concentration
• over sufficient time and/or
• with sufficient frequency.

It is made worse by gloves, heat, friction and pre-existing disease. This form of dermatitis usually occurs on the hand or forearm. It is caused by:

• acids and alkalis
• solvents
• detergents/soaps
• abrasives
• enzymes
• oxidants
• oils
• reducing agents
• hygroscopic chemicals
• concentrated salt solutions
• low molecular weight plastics.

Contact allergic dermatitis:

Over time, an allergic response develops. The time interval between the first exposure and the development of symptoms depends on:

• the chemical
• the exposure conditions
• skin thickness
• personal factors.

Notes:

This time period is often measured in years.

Skin damage increases the risk that an allergy will develop. Sites distant from most obvious contact may be affected (fingers touching the face carry the chemical).

Some allergic dermatoses require the interaction of sunlight and a chemical - examples include some plants, lichens and sunscreens.

Contact urticaria:

Redness and blistering at the site of contact with the chemical within an hour of exposure, and resolving within 24 hours. There are immunological and non-immunological types.

Causes are:

Non-immunologic: Peru balsam; Ethyl alcohol, caterpillars, jellyfish and moths.

Immunologic: Seafood, fruits, vegetables, meat/blood, animal secretions, rubber latex.

Control of all forms of dermatitis:

• remove from work (if severe)
• prevent contact or at least reduce its frequency and the duration of exposure
• choose gloves carefully – they can make things worse if the chemical gets into them – through a cut or by penetrating the material
• avoid skin trauma
• avoid excessive heat/humidity
• avoid cold and chapping conditions
• use safe work habits
• clean hands with mildest possible cleansers – avoid solvent-soaked rags, dry hands carefully.
• use a different chemical
• use non-rubber gloves
• avoid using allergens.

Treatment: Refer to a specialist. See the Department of Labour A Guide to Occupational Skin Diseases.

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Cement Dermatitis

Handling wet cement – or even cement that has not cured properly – may, over time, lead some people (10% according to the UK Health and Safety Executive) to develop a form of dermatitis. This is due to the alkalinity of the cement and contact with chromates that exist naturally in cement.

Cement dermatitis is very hard to treat because, once a person is sensitised, any further exposure to chromates will bring on the symptoms.

This makes it clear that prevention of contact is of paramount importance.

Control:

There are three main strategies.

• Prevent contact by using gloves – if other concrete handling methods won’t prevent contact.
• Wash hands – this implies that running water and adequate hand washing/drying facilities are needed on site.
• Report dermatitis to the employer – if there is not an active programme of health monitoring already.

References:

www.osh.dol.govt.nz/order/catalogue/292.shtml

www.nohsc.gov.au/PDF/Standards/CementDermatitis.pdf

www.healthandsafety.co.uk/HEALTHYHANDLING2005-HSEADVICE.pdf

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First Aid

Key principles	Key actions
Take a comprehensive approach to first aid in the workplace.	Assess First Aid needs (See Appendix 1 of the DOL Guide). Special attention will need to be given to any special hazards existing - for example: ammonia in a cooling plant, Provide adequate first aid equipment, information and training. Review needs from time to time.
Provide training to enough staff to ensure that the first aid needs of the workplace are met.	Members of staff to attend NZQA approved courses. Numbers trained provide adequate cover – See DOL Guide.
Ensure first aiders attend refresher courses every two years	Provide ongoing training ~ workplace needs.
Provide:appropriate first aid kits notices – of who is a first aider and where kits are keptif required - a first aid room – see the DOL Guide	Advice can be sought from New Zealand Resuscitation Council or from first aid providers such as New Zealand Red Cross and St Johns. One kit per 50 employees or one per floor/separate Department and one per work vehicle. See Appendices 4 and 5 of the DOL Guide.Locate them adjacent to particular hazards or close to wash basins and cold running water, soap and clean towels.Should be regularly maintained and records should be kept as items are used and when the kit is checked.
Assign responsibilities	First aiders should be aware of their responsibilities especially as new hazards arise in a changing work environment.
Keep appropriate records	Accident registers should be kept.
Be prepared!	Have – and communicate – a clear understanding of access to secondary aid facilities eg. Ambulance,  Emergency department, After hours emergency treatment, doctor.

 

Reference: First Aid Equipment, Facilities and Training - Good Practice Guide. Department of Labour. Wellington.

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Ultraviolet (UV) Exposures

Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in New Zealand and ranks as one of the most expensive cancers, costing the health system in excess of $33 million per year.

Our counterparts in Victoria, in Australia, are convinced that UV exposures of construction workers are a real hazard and have promoted programmes to prevent exposure throughout the industry in that State.

Given the intensity of UV radiation (UVR) in New Zealand in the summer months, it is sensible to advise workers to protect themselves from the sun, at least between early  October and the end of March.

We advise the following measures:

• Increase the amount of shade provided and used in the workplace.
• Wherever possible carry out work in the shade of trees or buildings, move jobs to shade areas, use portable shade and/or erect permanent shade structures.
• Reschedule work: UV radiation is strongest from 11 am to 4 pm. If possible, schedule outdoor work outside these times during the summer months.
• Rotate employees If possible, alternate employees between indoor and outdoor tasks.
• Personal protection: Cover as much skin as possible by wearing:
  • sun protective clothing (UPF rating 50+) for example collared, long-sleeve shirts, trousers or long-sleeve overalls;
  • legionnaire or broad-brimmed sunhats (minimum 7cm brim) or hard hat brim attachments;
  • broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen (that comply with the AS/NZS2604);
  • sunglasses (that comply with the AS/NZS1067.1). Choose wraparound, close-fitting sunglasses for the best protection.

See also:

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation - Guidance Notes for the Protection of Workers from

www.sumsmart.com.au (Downloads 27 and 28 on the ‘Sun Protection’ Information Sheets page.)

www.sunsmart.co.nz

www.cancernz.org.nz

for more information.

Thanks to Judith Galtry of the Cancer Society of New Zealand for reviewing this information.

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