10. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Protective clothing
Make sure that your protective clothing fits correctly and that it is not damaged. If your
protective clothing is too big or ragged, it might get stuck on projections or rotating
parts of the machines.
When needed, change your protective clothing, because dirty protective clothing also
soils the clothes underneath. Dirty overalls and synthetic underwear can easily catch
fire. Clothes with pure oxygen in them ignite easily.
When doing hot work use certified fire retardant clothing. Fire retardant clothing
is clearly labeled. You should use natural fabrics (cotton, wool) or flame-retardant
clothes underneath fire retardant clothing.
Wash up after your working day and change your clothes – facilities are provided. The
employer should arrange for separate sanitary facilities for men and women at the
workplace or close by.
Hand protection
Protective gloves give you protection against:
Dirt
Heat and cold
Harmful impact of chemical substances
Radiation from the electric arc
Sparks and metal splatter
Damages caused by sharp edges, hot objects or abrasion
Depending on the job you are doing, use either certified leather gloves or mittens.
You can also use protective leather sleeves and an apron for hot work. When handling
sharp objects (e.g. in ventilation shafts) it is good to use special gloves that give protection
against cuts.
Chemical protective gloves protect your skin from harmful impacts of chemicals, irritating
and etching substances. They prevent absorption of toxic chemical agents into
the body. Protective glove selection is based on the specific chemical utilized. A glove
is used to protect you from one chemical does not mean it is necessarily going to
protect you from a different chemical. Also, the range of chemical exposure has an
important influence on whether there is a need to protect from accidental splashes
or continuous, long-term exposure. Material Safety Data Sheet provides guidance on
selection of proper glove materials when handling chemicals in question.
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