Vapors, gases, and particulates from hazardous substance response activities place response personnel at risk. For this reason, response personnel must wear appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment whenever they are near the site. The more that is known about the hazards at a release site, the easier it becomes to select personal protective equipment. There are four levels of personal protective
equipment. Level A protection is required when the greatest potential for exposure to hazards exists, and when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required. Examples of Level A clothing and equipment include: Level B protection is required under circumstances requiring the highest level of respiratory protection, with lesser level of skin protection. At most abandoned outdoor hazardous waste sites, ambient atmospheric vapors or gas levels have not approached sufficiently high concentrations to warrant level A protection. Examples of Level B protection include: Level C protection is required when the concentration and type of airborne substances is known and the criteria for using air purifying respirators is met.
Typical Level C equipment includes: Level D protection is the minimum protection required. Level D protection may be sufficient when no contaminants are present or work operations preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential for unexpected inhalation or contact with hazardous
levels of chemicals. Appropriate Level D protective equipment may include: While these are general guidelines for typical equipment to be used in certain circumstances, other combinations of protective equipment may be more appropriate, depending upon specific site characteristics.
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Last updated on November 15, 2021
- 8.1 Eye Protection
- 8.2 Respiratory Protection
- 8.3 Protective Clothing
- 8.4 Head Protection
- 8.5 Hearing Protection
- 8.6 Fire Equipment
- 8.7 First Aid Equipment
Be aware of the safety clothing and equipment available for your use and under which circumstances you are required to wear or use them. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to provide the required equipment and ensure it is worn. It is each person's responsibility for maintaining equipment in good condition.
8.1 Eye Protection
Determine the possibilities of flying particles, splashes and spills when determining the appropriate eye protection needed for a job.
Approved Safety Glasses with side shields are the minimum protection needed when working with non hazardous chemicals or equipment in any laboratory or shop. Safety glasses provide protection against flying objects but only partial protection from splashing liquids, and provide no protection against irritating vapours.
Goggles provide protection against impact, dust, vapours and splash hazards. Goggles shall be worn when a splash hazard exists.
Face Shields provide protection to the entire face and neck area against splashes or flying particles.
8.2 Respiratory Protection
Fume hoods are used for work involving hazardous or malodorous materials. Fumehood SOP.
In accordance with the SOP your Supervisor is to provide Fume Hood training.
Do not use the fume hood if you cannot verify draft or if the Fume Hood Monitor alarm is sounding. It is an offense to silence an Fume Hood Monitor alarm.
The hood is not a substitute for personal protective equipment. You must still wear Personal Protective Equipment.
When using the fume hood, use it in such a manner that the sash is always between you and your work.
All chemicals and equipment are to be used 6 inches behind the sash during experiments.
If possible, set up equipment a couple inches above the working surface to maintain efficient air flow. Ensure the equipment is stable.
Close the sash completely whenever the hood is on and unattended or during a no hands-on part of the experiment.
All electrical devices should be connected outside of the hood to avoid sparks which may ignite a flammable or explosive chemical.
Electrical cables should proceed under any air foil not over. Electrical cable shall not prevent the sash from closing.
Dust Masks protect from particulate matter but are useless against chemical vapours.
Chemical respirators must be fit tested. Fit testing is performed by Environmental Health and Safety Department. Anyone being fit tested must provide the respirator to be fit tested.
8.3 Protective Clothing
Protective Clothing is designed to protect a person's skin and clothing from damage or injury caused by splashes or spills of chemicals, excessive heat, or falling objects.
Lab Coats, which extend below the knee, are recommended in all laboratory work areas and must be buttoned up to be effective. Do not wear your lab coat outside of the lab unless you are going to another lab. Do not wash a contaminated lab coat with other laundry. Labcoat SOP.
Aprons are used when acid splashes are possible.
Gloves are used for protection against skin contact or cuts when handling certain chemicals, hot or cold objects, or glass.
Latex and Vinyl Gloves should not be worn around moving machinery.
There are many different types of protective gloves available and they must be chosen carefully to offer the best protection for specific procedures and chemicals. Be aware that different glove materials have different chemical permeabilities. Check to ensure you are wearing the appropriate glove.
Cryogenic gloves are to be worn by persons handling Liquid Nitrogen or Dry ice.
Ensure that all exposed skin is covered and that gloves and sleeves overlap.
Rubber or synthetic gloves are to be worn when handling solvents, corrosive chemicals, or toxic substances which may enter the body by absorption through the skin.
Remove your gloves before leaving the lab. Do not contaminate surfaces outside the laboratory by wearing gloves that have been worn inside a laboratory.
Wash your hands after removal of gloves and when leaving the laboratory.
Approved Safety Footwear must be worn in the Department on jobs with hazards of foot injury.
8.4 Head Protection
In areas of the Pilot Plant in which work is performed overhead hard hats must be worn. Hard hats are available at the entrance to the basement Pilot Plant Laboratory and are to be returned after use.
8.5 Hearing Protection
Hearing protection [i.e. ear plugs, ear muffs] is recommended in areas of >80dB, and is required at >90dB. A noise level survey can be conducted on your work area by contacting the Department of Environmental Health & Safety at 32999.
8.6 Fire Equipment
The department has 2 types of extinguishers:
Carbon Dioxide is the most useful type for general lab purposes. A cloud of CO2 gas [heavier than air] plus some "snow" is discharged through the nozzle. When directed at the base of the fire, the CO2 gas halts combustion by displacing oxygen.
Dry chemical contains powdered sodium bicarbonate which is propelled by carbon dioxide or nitrogen. It is effective on flammable liquids.
8.7 First Aid Equipment
First Aid Kits are available in the basement hallway and in the second and third floor laboratory wing hallway. There are two first aid kits in Biosciences. One in the hallway opposite room 1426 and one on the fourth floor lab wing beside the door of the 4617 laboratory. There are a limited number in the department since OHSA stipulates that for each first aid kit there must be one trained person and one back-up available to help the injured person. The names of the qualified first aid people, with telephone numbers, are posted on each kit and on the safety bulletin board. Help can also be otained by calling for Queen's First Aid at 36111.
Safety Showers are used for large chemical spill contact on a person. Eyewash and Safety Showers SOP.
Eyewash Stations are used if something enters the eye. The eye should be held open and flushed for 10-15 minutes. After flushing seek medical attention.