Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

NACCHO 02-2006 1v. 01312006

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2006 Advanced Practice Centers for Preparedness Training Conference

Objectives

Define PPE Select appropriate PPE components

for an incidentDon and doff Level C PPE

What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment►4 levels based originally on Haz Mat

definitions►Based on OSHA requirement for making

the worker safe►Two overall categories

Airway protectionBarrier protection

►All come with Advantages and Limitations

Respiratory Protection

JDH Systems, Inc.

Garments and Barriers

Fully encapsulated suits

Splash/droplet (includes vapor)

GlovesBootsEye protection

Level DYour usual work

clothes

Level C Air-Purifying Respirator

(APR) (NIOSH-certified) Resp. Protection:

Carefully Selected Vapors and Aerosols

Hooded, Splash Protective Chemical Resistant Suit

Clothing Protection: Liquids and Solids

Level B SCBA or SAR (Supplied

Air Respirator) with Escape (NIOSH-certified)

Resp. Protection: Gas, Vapor, Aerosol, O2 Deficient Atmospheres

Splash Protective Chemical Resistant Suit

Clothing Protection: Solids Liquids

Level A SCBA (NIOSH-certified) Resp. Protection Against:

Gases, Vapors, Aerosols, Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Vapor-protective Fully Encapsulated Suit

Clothing Protection Against: Gas, Vapor, Liquid, Solid

What Are the PPE Protection Levels?

Level Respiratory Skin

A Best Best

B Best Good

C Depends on the agent

Good

D Minimal Minimal

What is the Correct PPE for Hospital Decontamination

?

PPE for Hospital StaffLevel C for Hospital Decontamination

►Non-IDLH atmosphere►Inexpensive►Greatest mobility

Afterwards - Level D for Patient care activity Accepted by American Hospital Association

and OSHA

Exception - if the hospital is the event site

What if I am caught without PPE?

Get out and get away as fast as possible!If all else fails and you have nothing else:

►Double layer T-shirt over nose & mouthEffective for:

►Many biological agents►Some types of radiation

Less effective for:►Many chemical agents

PPE Summary

Level A/B only for specialized situations►Not for the lay person (hospital workers,

Public Health, EMS/Police)►Need much training►Including annual fit testing

Level D normal work gear

PPE Summary

Except for rare cases, Level C will be the best choice for a known element, especially in healthcare►Highly contagious

medical care►Decontamination line►Open area assessment

for triage

Thank You!

Questions?Now, let’s suit up and try it out!