Personal protective equipment, otherwise known as PPE, is a fundamental safety measure for staff who work with hazardous chemicals. Whether the substance is in liquid, gas or solid form, dangerous goods pose a range of health risks to workers who are exposed to them through inhalation, contact with the skin or eyes, or accidental ingestion. To help you safeguard your staff, we’ll be outlining some of the general requirements for PPE based on the substance’s dangerous goods class.
What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment is the equipment designed to isolate workers from the hazards present in dangerous goods and hazardous substances. Through exposure to these chemical hazards, workers may experience health problems or be at risk of fatality.
The required personal protective equipment (PPE) for specific dangerous goods classes of chemicals is generally a multitude of items, each prohibiting exposure through contact with the eyes, skin or through the airways.
Items may include:
- Respiratory protective equipment such as respirator masks
- Chemically compatible gloves to reduce employee exposure when handling chemicals and packages
- Protective clothing including coveralls
- Skin protection such as a face shield
- Protective footwear including safety boots
- Eye protection such as safety glasses
In addition to the personal protective equipment that you may need to work with hazardous substances, your staff may also require equipment that minimises the potential of harm from other hazards. This may include hard hats, ear plugs, earmuffs, rubber gloves, steel capped boots, goggles and hi vis clothing. In situations where infection control is required, PPE may include surgical face masks, filter respirators, protective goggles, glasses and other items.
REMEMBER: Safe Work Australia states that, "Personal protective equipment (PPE) is anything a worker uses or wears to keep them healthy and safe." To meet WHS obligations, staff must use the appropriate PPE as instructed by their PCBU (person conducting a business of undertaking).
Why is PPE an Essential Control Measure for Chemicals?
Personal protective equipment is the 5th and last step in the Hierarchy of Control, which means that it must be implemented along with all other control measures.
While PPE is essential for the protection of staff who handle hazardous chemicals, it must never be used as the sole safety measure — as the other steps in the Hierarchy of Control are more effective at controlling hazards.
How Do I Choose PPE Personal Protective Equipment?
There are many factors to consider when choosing personal protective equipment for your people. Firstly, the PPE must be suitable for the chemical hazards present in the chemical. Secondly, your onsite chemical risk assessment will help you provide the correct equipment based on the unique hazards present at your worksite. Thirdly, your PPE must be fit-for-purpose and suitable for the staff that are wearing them. Ill-fitting items or equipment that makes work tasks more difficult are not going to be suitable in reducing risk.
Choosing and Maintaining PPE
As part of your WHS obligations, you must not only provide the appropriate PPE for your staff, you must also make sure that it’s maintained to ensure site safety.
Here are some simple tips that we recommend if you’re looking at PPE for your workplace:
- Conducting an onsite risk assessment to identify all hazards.
- Refer to the current SDS for each of your workplace chemicals to determine PPE requirements.
- Work with staff to ensure that the equipment is the right fit and suitable for the job task.
- Refer to the applicable Australian Standard for more information about the hazards associated with your chemical class.
- Store PPE in a convenient location with applicable signage, such as a dedicated PPE cabinet.
- Develop an inspection and maintenance program for all PPE, so that your equipment is always clean, decontaminated and ready-for-use.
- Train staff and contractors to know how to locate, use, care for and maintain the PPE to reduce hazards. This includes educating personnel on the proper use of PPE, including how to put on and take off the equipment to avoid chemical exposure.
Maintaining your PPE is just as important as selecting the most suitable equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment PPE Examples for Dangerous Goods
While the hazards at your site must be identified through your risk assessment as well as your individual SDS, the Australian Standards do provide information about the general hazards associated with chemicals in your dangerous goods class. The applicable Standard will also offer details about the possible types of PPE that you will need to provide to protect your workers from exposure.
In the next section of this post, we’ll be outlining some general recommendations for personal protective equipment, based on the relevant Australian Standard.
Personal Protective Equipment for Gases in Cylinders
AS 4332 is the Australian Standard for gases in cylinders. If staff are moving cylinders, then they must wear overalls, gloves, safety footwear and eye protection, with hearing protection carried at all times. In the event of a Subclass 2.3 gas leak, self-contained breathing apparatus shall be considered.
Examples of PPE for gases in cylinders includes:
- Eye protection (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Protective gloves (complying with AS/NZS 2161)
- Safety footwear (complying with AS/NZS 2210.2, selected and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1)
- Hearing protection (complying with AS/NZS 1270)
Gases in cylinders require a range of PPE including eye protection, footwear, gloves and hearing protection.
Flammable Liquids PPE Requirements
The Australian Standard for flammable liquids AS 1940 states that the personal protective equipment shall be provided, as appropriate to the operational requirements of the site. Flammable liquids require careful handling and storage due to their ability to cause human harm through inhalation, as well as contact with the skin and eyes. These substances also pose a fire and explosion risk.
Equipment must be compliant to AS/NZS ISO 6529 or AS/NZS ISO 6530 and suitable for use with the Class 3 liquids being handled. Refer to the SDS for your flammable liquids for further information on suitable personal protective equipment.
Examples of suitable personal protective equipment for flammable liquids includes:
- Eye protection (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Protective gloves (complying with relevant parts of the AS/NZS 2161 series)
- Safety helmets (complying with AS/NZS 1801, selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1800)
- Safety footwear (complying with AS/NZS 2210 series)
- Respirators having appropriate filters, and self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716 and selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
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PPE for Flammable Solids
Flammable solids pose risk to human health, as well as a fire and explosion hazard. AS NZS 5026 explains the requirements for personal protective equipment wherever Class 4 dangerous goods are handled or stored.
Examples of suitable personal protective equipment for flammable solids includes:
- Protective clothing suitable for use the specific Class 4 substances. (Consult the SDS)
- Protective gloves (complying with the relevant parts of the AS/NZS 2161 series)
- Eye protection (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Safety helmets (complying with AS/NZS 1801, selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1800)
- Safety footwear (complying with AS/NZS 2210.2 and selected and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1)
- Respirators having appropriate filters, and self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716 and selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
Oxidising Agent PPE
The Standard 4326 explains the equipment required for handling or storing oxidising agents. Oxidising agents may cause human harm if staff are exposed to these chemicals, with some materials containing toxic or corrosive properties. Oxidising agents also pose a fire risk.
Examples of suitable personal protective equipment for oxidising agents includes:
- Full chemically impervious suit
- Elbow-length protective gloves of rubber or PVC (complying with the relevant part of AS/NZS 2161 series)
- PVC or rubber aprons
- Chemical goggles or full-face shields (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- PVC or rubber boots (complying with AS/NZS 2210.2 and selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1)
- Appropriate respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716 and selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
Personal Protective Equipment for Organic Peroxides
Organic peroxides are unstable chemicals which can burn rapidly and react dangerously with other substances. They may also cause harm to human health through respiratory inhalation or contact with the skin or eyes.
When storing or handling organic peroxides, AS 2714 requires staff to wear the following equipment:
- Full chemically impervious suit
- Chemical goggles or full-face shields (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Elbow-length protective gloves of rubber or PVC (complying with the relevant part of AS/NZS 2161 series)
- PVC or rubber aprons
- PVC or rubber boots (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1)
- Appropriate respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716)
Toxic Chemical PPE
AS NZS 4452 details the equipment required for the storage and handling of toxic substances. Due to the extreme risk to human health (including inhalation of toxic vapours), there are many items required for staff who work with these chemicals.
REMEMBER: Conduct a risk assessment to determine the suitability of the PPE for your staff handling and storing toxic chemicals. Strict care and maintenance of these items must be adhered to.
Toxic substance PPE requirements includes:
- Protective clothing complying with AS 2919, AS 3765.1 or AS 3765.2) suitable for use with your particular toxic substance.
- Eye protection (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Elbow-length protective gloves of suitably resistant material complying with AS 2161)
- PVC or rubber boots (complying with AS/NZS 2210.2, selected and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1)
- Respirators having filters appropriate to the duty (complying with AS/NZS 1716, selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716, selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
Toxic substances require careful handling with the appropriate PPE to prevent harmful exposure.
Safety Equipment for Corrosives
The Australian Standard that outlines the equipment requirements for corrosive substances is AS 3780.
As corrosives may cause severe injury and fatalities through contact with the skin or eyes, or inhalation of corrosive vapours, the following equipment is required:
- Appropriate protective clothing (complying with AS/NZS 4501.2) suitable for use with your particular corrosive substances
- Elbow-length protective gloves (complying with the relevant part of AS/NZS 2161 series)
- Eye protection (selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1337)
- Safety helmets (complying with AS/NZS 1801, selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1800)
- Safety footwear (complying with AS/NZS 2210)
- Respirators having filters appropriate to the duty (complying with AS/NZS 1716, selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (complying with AS/NZS 1716, selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715)
PPE Safety Requirements
To protect your employees and create a safe working environment, it’s crucial that sites storing or handling dangerous goods implement the right hazard safety measures. The correct PPE will help your staff stay safe, as long as they know how to use and maintain the equipment.
To learn more about hazardous chemicals, safety measures, and how you can minimise risk, why not access your FREE eBook? This guide will take your through all the important considerations when you’re introducing hazardous chemical products to your site.
