Protective PPE for the chemical industry

EPIS are safety equipment and devices whose function is to protect workers from possible risks and dangers arising from the development of their work activity.

There are different types of Personal Protective Equipment depending on the labor sector , but today we will focus on the chemical industry, a sector in which it is essential to work respecting protection measures.

We review what are the basic and mandatory EPIS in the chemical industry .

PPE types of protection in the chemical industry

In the chemical industry it is common for workers to be exposed on a daily basis to dangerous particles such as vapors, gases or chemicals. If you do not work with proper clothing, an oversight can cause serious damage to the worker .

PPE against chemicals is intended to prevent dangerous substances from coming into direct contact with the skin, face, eyes or mouth of workers. We analyze in more detail the different clothing items that we can use in the chemical industry.

1. Safety glasses

Safety glasses for the chemical industry are essential to protect the eyes of workers from splashes, product drops or biological and chemical hazards.

When choosing good protective glasses, remember that:

  • They must be resistant and specially designed against high speed particle impacts.
  • It is advisable to use protective glasses made of glass, polycarbonate or acetate.
  • It is also important that the glasses have UV protection, that they are certified and that they are comfortable.
  • It is better to choose non-vented glasses to prevent contaminants from entering the eyes and opt for glasses with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings.

2. Masks, masks and respirators

For respiratory protection , masks, masks and respirators are used, equipment that must be certified according to the type of chemical substance being handled and that must fit the face perfectly.

The most effective masks are half-face and full-face, which are designed to filter pollutants from the air and protect you from inhaling toxic gases and vapors.

  • Respirators with N95 filters : These are effective if you are around liquid particles that are not oily, such as gases and aerosols.
  • Masks with chemical filters : they have cartridges or filters that are designed to protect you from chemical gases and vapors by filtering the air. Cartridges have a limited lifespan and must be replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
  • Supplied Air Respirators – Provide clean air through an external air supply and are ideal for highly toxic or hazardous environments.

3. Gloves

Protective gloves protect the hands from direct exposure to chemicals, so they must be resistant to corrosion.

Materials

Nitrile, latex, neoprene or PVC. Nitrile gloves are suitable for most chemicals, while neoprene gloves are ideal for acids and solvents.

Thickness

Gloves must withstand possible punctures or tears without tearing, but they must also be thin enough to allow movement.

Size

They should fit snugly in your hands to prevent them from slipping or tearing. They must completely cover the hands and forearms to have full protection.

4. Protective clothing

Protective clothing covers the entire body, including the head, feet, and hands, and protects from direct exposure to chemicals.

It must be resistant to corrosion and fire, so you have to choose materials for clothing such as tyvek, PVC, polyester or cotton. Tyvek is resistant to most chemicals and PVC is perfect for highly corrosive substances.

As for the closure, protective clothing for the chemical industry has to include a button or zipper system that allows a secure seal to prevent chemicals from coming into contact with your skin.

5. Safety boots

In the chemical industry, safety footwear must be made of leather (except the sole), rubber or polymeric material. In addition, they must comply with the basic requirements indicated in the UNE-EN ISO 20345 (200 J limit) and UNE-EN ISO 20346 (100 J limit) standards and contain the following information:

  1. Category III CE marking.
  2. Size.
  3. Name and full address of the manufacturer and/or its authorized representative.
  4. Manufacturer's type designation.
  5. Year of manufacture, at least one quarter.
  6. Reference to the EN 13832-2 standard or to EN 13832-3 if it is of high resistance.

At Impotusa we have all kinds of footwear and personal protective equipment for each work sector. Contact us , we help you.

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