PREPARATION

1. Check the selected suit is the correct size. Incorrect sizing can cause the suit to tear.

2. Ensure the dressing area is clean and free from any contamination.

3. Remove the suit carefully from the packaging and check that it is not damaged.

4. Remove any items from your pockets.

5. Remove any safety footwear to make it easier to put the suit on.

PUTTING ON THE PROTECTIVE SUIT

1. Shake the suit to fully open it up.

2. Start by stepping your legs into the suit leg area, one at a time.

3. Put your arms in the suit sleeves slowly and carefully.

1. Step into each chemical resistant Wellington boot

2. Always place the ankle hem of the protective suit over the safety boots. This allows static discharge and reduces the risk of contamination.

3. To allow full range of movement, tape the ankle hem to your boots above the ankle.

4. Do not tuck the suit legs into your safety Wellington boot

ZIPPING UP THE SUIT

1. If you are not wearing a respirator then zip all the way to the top.

2. If you are wearing a respirator, zip up the suit to the chest area (this will make it easier to put your hood up later).

3. Hood must always be worn

PUTTING ON ADDITIONAL PPE AND TAPING

1. Put on your RPE according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Ensure there is a tight fit, with no gaps between the hem of the hood and the RPE.

3. Zip up the suit to the top.

4. If a full face respirator is used, tape the hood to the respirator to ensure full type protection against liquids and chemicals.

5. Place finger loops over the finger or thumb to prevent sleeves riding up the arm.

6. Next, don your hand protection.

7. Always wear the gloves over the sleeve and secure with self-adhesive tape for a tigh seal.

REMOVING THE SUIT

1. Take off the suit in a safe, appropriate area, which has decontamination or wash down facilities.
2. Clean your gloves and boots with water, and wipe clean any RPE and zipper flap.
3. Dry off or wipe away any excess water from the above.
4. Remove the tape that secured the outer gloves and take off your outer gloves.
5. Remove any additional taping from the respirator and zip flap.
6. Open zip half way down.
7. Pull down hood and turn inside out to contain any contamination.
8. Remove the suit, by turning inside out over your shoulders, back and boots and keep it away from skin and clothing.
9. If using a respirator, take it off if safe to do so.

DISPOSAL

Chemical suits are to be washed down, particularly when heavily contaminated and turned inside out, before disposing of them in the external general waste bins.

BEST PRACTICE FOR WORKING IN THE PROTECTIVE SUIT

• It is highly advisable to use the help of a ‘buddy’ when donning and doffing your protective suit. Ensure the ‘buddy’ is also wearing the appropriate PPE for the hazard.
• The ‘buddy’ can help you to ensure all PPE fits correctly, is undamaged, and to check that coveralls are correctly taped to any additional PPE required.
• Do not remove your protective suit and/or additional PPE while working in a hazardous area.
• Prevent the spread of hazardous substances by not leaving the hazardous zone to go into other areas, like the office prior to removing your protective clothing and equipment.
• Be considerate to colleagues working in the vicinity. Non-active people in the hazardous zone should wear a protective garment in case of emergency.
• In areas with an explosion risk always wear a garment which is anti-statically treated, to ensure electrostatic discharge if earthed correctly.
• Take care in the work area to prevent damage to your protective equipment, e.g. avoid hot surfaces and sharp edges.

FIT YOUR MASK CORRECTLY YOU’RE NOT PROTECTED UNLESS YOU DO!

• Hold the respirator in hand with the nosepiece at your fingertips. Allow headbands to hang freely below the hand.

• Cup the respirator firmly against your face with the nosepiece on the bridge of your nose.

• Stretch and pull the lower headband over the head and position below your ears.

  

• Stretch and pull the top headband on the back of your head above your ears. Criss-cross straps if required for tighter fit.

• Press the soft nosepiece to conform snugly around the nose.

• For respirators with adjustable headbands; while maintaining the position of the respirator, adjust tension by pulling both upper straps at the same time, and then both lower straps at the same time. (Tension may be decreased by pushing out the back of the buckle.)

• (a) To conduct a fit check without an exhalation valve: Cup both hands over the respirator and exhale vigorously. (b) To conduct a fit check with an exhalation valve: Cup both hands over the respirator and inhale sharply. A negative pressure should be felt inside the respirator. If air flows around your nose, tighten the nosepiece. If air leaks around the edges, reposition the headband for better fit.

NOTE: Under the Health and Safety Act 1974. It is law that you must be Face Fit Tested before any tight fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is used. This is to ensure it forms a good seal on the face. It must be able to provide adequate protection for the individual wearer. RPE cannot protect the wearer if it leaks. A major cause of leakage is due to poorly fitting face pieces, which are too loose or too tight. As people come in all shapes and sizes, it is unlikely that one particular size of RPE will fit everyone. Fit testing will ensure that the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer, fitting correctly and minimising exposure to the hazard.

CAUTION: Tight fitting respirators should only be worn when clean shaven