Feature Health & safety: PPE Choosing a chemical-protective suit


Chemical protective suits are a vital piece of equipment for those working in extremely demanding or hazardous environments and there are many factors that need to be considered to make an appropriate selection


T


he key is selecting the appropri- ate type of protective suit given the conditions faced and the tasks required, and ensuring that the model chosen is reliable and robust. In the case of incidents involv- ing spillages or leakages of hazardous materials, often the risks are unclear or not easily established, so the safest decision is to use fully encapsulated gas-tight chemical suits (referred to in the EN directives as Level 1a suits), as these provide the highest protection. These suits, as with all PPE, are sub- ject to EN certification per the guide- lines of the European Directive 89/686/EEC. While certification requirements for Level 1a fully encap- sulated gas-tight suits are clearly detailed in the standard EN943-1 and 943-2, actual performance of the suit in terms of resistance to punctures, abrasion, and flex cracking should also be considered. In EN 943 certification, some limited-life gas-tight chemical- protective suits registered ratings sig- nificantly higher than the industry standard for puncture, flame and flex cracking resistance.


Comfort and manoeuvrability Working in gas-tight chemical-protec- tive suits is strenuous as they are gen- erally heavier and less flexible than non-encapsulated protective clothing. Features that improve comfort and manoeuvrability can significantly enhance the user’s ability to work effi- ciently and safely. Weight: The lighter the suit, the less arduous it is for the user to wear. Depending on the suit selected, the user can save up to 4kg of weight. Lightweight and flexible suits also facilitate a wider range of motion, allowing users to manoeuvre both hands and body easily.


Limited-life suits are said to be light-


Saint-Gobain’s ONEsuit Pro weighs less than 5kg and is engineered for high strength and


increased flexibility using the


company’s Coretech Barrier Membrane technology


visor with greater ease. Even in the event of the suit being torn, the posi- tive pressure will stop hazardous gases entering the interior of the suit and contaminating the wearer. Ease of Use: Simple tests can be applied to determine if the user will feel at ease in a suit. One is to simulate actual movements made in the field, such as squatting, bending, and reach- ing arms high in the air. Another is to ensure that donning and doffing the suit are easy.


Fit considerations


weight and offer more flexibility than thicker rubber-like reusable suits. For example, Saint-Gobain’s ONESuit Pro weighs less than 5kg, while a reusable suit can weigh up to 9kg. The fabric of the ONESuit Pro is engineered for high strength and increased flexibility using Saint-Gobain’s Coretech Barrier Membrane technology. Positive Pressure: Fully encapsu- lated suits require a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), which ensures the wearer has an indepen- dent air source and can work comfort- ably in the gas-tight environment. Thanks to the SCBA, shortly after putting on the suit and closing the zip, a positive pressure is created in suits with the most advanced type of valve technology. This inflates the garment due to air the user exhales being retained in the suit up to a certain pressure, creating a comfortable dis- tance between the user and the suit material, enhancing comfort and mobility by lifting the weight of the suit off the user and pushing out the visor giving a wider field of vision. A pressurised suit is said to be more practical, as it allows wearers to with- draw their hands for access to radios, gauges and cloth for wiping a foggy


When evaluating fit, consider each component of the suit. Size: Choosing a suit in the appro- priate size can bolster ease of use. It is best to work with manufacturers that offer a variety of suit sizes. Visor: Whether fixing a gas leak or navigating through toxic chemicals, visibility is crucial. A visor should rest comfortably and securely across the user’s brow line. Internal belt: Look for suits that include this feature as they promote sta- bility by holding the suit up at the waist and keeping the visor in position, subse- quently easing pressure off the neck and head, and improving visibility. Integral socks: It is important to choose suits with integral socks that are flexible, and will remain comfort- able when inside the overboot.


Value for money


Maintenance and inspection costs vary for both limited-life and reusable suits. Reusable suits need regular inspection at an annual cost of around ⇔


250-500


Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics T: 0117 9381700 www.plastics.saint -gobain.com Enter 322


Safety spectacles which tick all the boxes S


afety equipment provider uvex has launched its most stylish safety spectacle – the pheos – which, despite its competitive price, is said to carry all the design features and coatings that uvex users expect. Costing only £4.95, as a result of continual innovation and new developments in technology, uvex says no


compromise has been made on quality. The core component of the pheos is its duo-spherical scratch-resistant and permanently coated anti-fog lens, said to offer a wide field of unimpaired vision and optimum long-term visibility. The snug-fitting frameless spectacle also features 100 per cent UV protection, an integral brow guard, good ventilation through the side arms and high-performance hinges and can be comfortably worn with many other forms of PPE. uvex UK


T: 01252 731200 www.uvex.co.uk Factory Equipment SEPTEMBR 2011 Enter 323 21


per suit, plus shipping and logistics. Replacement suits are also often needed while they are out for inspection. For limited-life suits, the shelf life varies from five to 10 years and inspec- tion procedures are straightforward as the suit simply needs visual inspec- tion and a pressure test to ensure it is gas-tight. This can cost around ⇔


100-


150. Additionally, the initial purchase price of a limited-life suit is typically less than half that of reusable suits.


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