Selecting PPE for Multiple Hazards with Opposing Protective Requirements

Presented at the 2000 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition
Orlando, FL
May 24, 2000

 Copyright 2000, Joe Tudor

 Joe Tudor, CIH, CSP
Albemarle Corporation
P.O. Box 729
Magnolia, AR 71754-0729
(870)235-6363
email: joe_tudor@albemarle.com

General PPE Selection Procedure

Multiple Hazards

• Physical <> Physical
• Physical <> Chemical
• Chemical <> Chemical
• mixtures
• multiple sources

Chemical v. Chemical

• Limited Permeation Data for Mixtures
• Differing Fabric/Material Recommendation
• Opposing PPE Types (glove v. no glove)

Methyl Bromide

• Small Molecule (CH3Br)
• Permeates PPE readily
• Vapor is easily trapped
• Evaporates quickly
• No warning properties
• no irritation
• delayed effects

Methyl Bromide PPE

• EPA requires:
• Loose-fitting, well-ventilated clothing
• Safety glasses - NO goggles
• Supplied-air respirator or SCBA
• No gloves, rubber boots, or rubber protective clothing
• Broad Customer Experience & Success

MeBr Application v. Production

• Application
• building fumigation
• agricultural fumigation - fields or containers
• Production
• multiple chemical hazards

The Challenge

• Sulfuric Acid Tank with Dissolved Methyl Bromide
• Best choice for MeBr
• loose fitting, ventilated clothing
• Best choice for Sulfuric Acid
• full coverage suit, gloves, boots

Available Data

• Skin Exposure up to 4000 ppm with no adverse effect
• Wet clothes increase likelihood of burn
• "Air out" time prevents trapping vapor
• Level A - dramatic increase in task time (ten-minute task increased to one hour)
• Gloves/coveralls available with permeation resistance up to 50 minutes

Our Solution

• Suit up for Primary Hazard
• Work up to 30 minutes
• Remove All PPE and wet clothing
• "Air out" at least 20 minutes

So What?

• Selecting PPE for Mixed Hazards is "case-by-case" work
• "Conventional" PPE Selection Methods may not work
• Operator (i.e. PPE user) input is critical
• Intense Training and Awareness Efforts