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.
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:
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).
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.
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.
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:
Maintaining your PPE is just as important as selecting the most suitable equipment.
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.
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:
Gases in cylinders require a range of PPE including eye protection, footwear, gloves and hearing protection.
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:
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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:
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:
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:
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:
Toxic substances require careful handling with the appropriate PPE to prevent harmful exposure.
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:
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.