How to Maintain PPE Effectiveness Across Long Shifts
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PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is a vital part of the workforce across the world, including in the USA. It is used by workers belonging to industries like healthcare, mining, plumbing, and the pharmaceutical industry.
They use this equipment since it protects them from harm, and also because it is mandated by regulatory bodies like OSHA. However, over time, some of the PPE equipment is prone to damage or wear and tear if not maintained properly.
For instance, plumbers spend a lot of time in confined spaces and are exposed to dangerous chemical fumes and gases. They repair old pipes by crimping them or soldering pipes to create watertight pipe joints.
During the course of these operations, the soldering torch might damage the PPE suit, or it might tear due to the broken ends of pipes.
You can avoid all these things by correctly maintaining your PPE safety gear. But which Personal Protective Equipment do plumbers wear? Let’s take a look a look at that equipment below before we explore their maintenance tips.
Which PPE Do Plumbing Professionals Wear?
Plumbing professionals wear a variety of Personal Protective Equipment, as seen in the table below:
|
PPE Type |
Primary Purpose |
Common Hazards Protected Against |
|
Protect hands from cuts, chemicals, and burns |
Hot pipes, sharp tools, sealants |
|
|
Eye Protection |
Shield eyes from splashes & debris |
Chemical cleaners, soldering |
|
Respirators |
Prevent inhalation of fumes or dust |
Mold, asbestos, and soldering fumes |
|
Steel-Toe Boots |
Protect feet from heavy impacts |
Falling tools, slippery floors |
|
Coveralls |
Prevent contact with contaminants |
Sewage, chemicals |
|
Hearing Protection |
Reduce noise exposure |
Power tools, pumps |
Table 1: Common PPE Used by Plumbers
Let’s now take a look at how you can maintain this equipment below.
How to Maintain Your PPE Equipment for the Long Term?
You can maintain your PPE equipment with the help of the following tips:
#1: Inspect PPE Before, During, and After Each Shift
Firstly, you should carefully inspect your PPE kit for any unwanted damage before, during, and after your shift. This inspection allows you to immediately replace the PPE if required and prevent exposure to dangerous chemicals or broken pipes in your work environment.
Consider the table below to learn about what you should check for in each PPE equipment:
|
Equipment |
What To Check For |
Possible Dangers If Left Unchecked |
|
Helmets |
Cracks, dents, and damage from physical accidents in your work environment |
Falling debris like stones or broken pipe parts, low-hanging pipes |
|
Earplugs |
Any stains or abrasions or cracks |
Bacteria enter your ears through the cracks and loud sounds, causing hearing damage |
|
Goggles and face shields |
Cracks, scratches |
Chemicals leading to eye inflammation, sparks from soldering torches, can cause temporary or permanent blindness |
|
Protective gloves |
Any torn areas, punctures, and signs of wear and tear |
Bacteria contaminating your hand, or chemicals causing damage to your hand |
|
Respirators |
Cracks or damage to the filters |
Poisonous gases cause respiratory issues or respiratory failure |
Table 2: PPE Equipment and What You Should Check For
You should create a detailed list of PPE safety equipment. This checklist will help you be thorough with your equipment inspection.
#2: Clean and Store PPE Correctly
Cleaning your PPE equipment will help you maintain it better. That’s because it removes any unwanted debris and dirt, which can cause material degradation. Apart from that, you can also avoid issues caused due to contaminated PPE.
You should also store the PPE effectively in a clean and dry place, which is away from sunlight. However, how you clean and store them differs for each equipment. Let’s understand these tips below.
|
PPE Type |
Cleaning Method |
Storage Best Practice |
|
Gloves |
Wash with mild detergent, and then air dry in a well-ventilated area |
Store flat in a clean and dry area away from direct sunlight |
|
Goggles & Face Shields |
Wipe with a mild soap and detergent, respectively, and use a microfiber cloth to clean the goggles’ lenses |
Store them in a hard case |
|
Respirators |
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to clean your respirators with sterilized gloves. Check the filters and cartridges to see if they need to be replaced, and do the needful |
Store them in a sealed and dry container after disinfecting them to protect them. |
|
Coveralls |
Machine wash as per the labels on the clothes |
Hang dry in a ventilated area |
Table 3: How To Clean and Store Your PPE Equipment
#3: Rotate or Replace PPE Components During the Shift
You should keep extra equipment like PPE masks, for example, so that you can replace them instantly during your shift. That’s because prolonged exposure to contaminants or other factors can lead to health issues. So, you should promptly replace them if you notice any cracks, tears, or punctures in your equipment.
For instance, say you are working in a dirty sewer and replacing a broken pipe. After a while, your gloves might become dirty due to the leaking contaminants from the pipe. Naturally, they will become sticky or slippery. So, you should replace your gloves instantly in such a scenario.
#4: Ensure Proper Fit and Adjustment Throughout the Day
You should remember to keep adjusting your PPE throughout the day as you work. That’s because the sweat from your hands or face, or your body, can make the PPE Kit sticky. So, you should adjust the straps, seals, and closures to ensure a comfortable fit.
Apart from that, you should tie the laces of your steel-toed boots tightly to ensure they don’t come off when you walk.
#5: Educate Your Team on PPE Fatigue and Awareness
You should also consider hosting or holding periodic talks with your team to ensure that they use it effectively. That’s because the best PPE is only as effective as the person using it correctly.
Consider hosting periodic sessions before, during, and after the shifts every once in a week or twice a week. The regularity of these sessions will ensure that your staff remembers the instructions on using and maintaining your PPE Kit effectively.
These sessions are necessary under OSHA 1910.132(f)(1), which mandates that employers must provide training to employees wearing PPE.
#6: Monitor Environmental Factors
You should be conscious of the environment you work in. Generally, plumbers often work in environments rich in heat, humidity, and chemical vapors. These factors can often degrade PPE kits faster.
Apart from that, wearing PPE equipment in such environments causes your own body temperature to rise as well. That’s why you should take periodic breaks, such as every 30 minutes or an hour.
Remember to also drink water during your break to stay hydrated. These breaks will ensure that you get a chance to relax. Don’t forget to open your PPE suit, respirator, etc. during these breaks to air the clothes.
Wrapping Up
Your PPE kit lasts only as long as it’s maintained, inspected, and worn correctly. So, you should follow all the tips mentioned above to maintain them effectively. Remember to also consider the various environments you work in to better understand how to maintain the PPE equipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Which Type of Gloves Should You Use to Ensure Easy Maintenance During Long Shifts?
Ans. You should use disposable nitrile gloves as they are easy to maintain. Just store them away from direct sunlight and use mild soap and water to clean them.
Q.2 Can I Use Abrasive Wipes to Clean My Goggles?
Ans. No, using abrasive wipes leads to scratches on the goggles. So, you should use microfiber wipes.
Q.3 What Kind of Respirators Are Easy to Maintain and Use for Long Operations?
Ans. You should use the N95 respirators to protect yourself from noxious fumes.
Q.4 Is It Easy to Wear Kevlar Gloves or Nitrile Gloves for Long-term Use?
Ans. While Kevlar gloves are relatively more durable, using nitrile gloves is easier owing to their fit. Nitrile gloves are also easy to maintain.