Brunei HSE

H S E S T A N D A R D

M O D U L E 0 2

P E R S O N A L P R O T E C T I V E

E Q U I P M E N T

TH I S D OC U MEN T C ON T AI N S ON E

M OD U L E I N A S E T CO MP R I S I N G O F H S E S T AN D A R D S

F O R TH E B R U N E I S HE LL JV C OMP AN I ES

Document No. : BSP-02-Standard-1628

Revision 5.0

Approved:

Document Owner:

John Bestwick, HSE/4

Abdullah Nawi, HSE/46

BSP – Personal Protective Equipment Module 02

Personal Protective Equipment – Rev 5.0 Page 2 of 50

Document Control

DOCUMENT TYPE DOCUMENT OWNER SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Standard HSE/46 Unclassified

DOCUMENT REFERENCE AUTHOR APPROVED BY

TMS 1628 Abdullah Nawi., HSE/46 HSE

KEY WORDS

Safety helmet, hand protection, harnesses, body protection, safety footwear

Revision Record

REV REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE

1.0 First Issue August 1998

2.0 Second Issue September 2000

2.0 Second Issue – converted from pagemaker to MS-Word format – no other significant changes

May 2001

3.0 Update British Standard references, Safety boots, coveralls and gloves May 2005

4.0 Update BS EN Standards for Hand Protection October 2005

5.0 Update rerlecting HSE PPE & Safety Equipment Technical Review Panel Team Update of Standards for Arc Flash protection requirements and Fire Protection - NFPA

Updating requirements for Working at Height (100% tie off)

October 2009

Distribution Control

Distribution of this document is controlled by the Document Owner and available on the BSP Intranet> Homepage>Corporate>HSE> HSE Documentation.

Notice and Warning

Copyright 2001 Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad

This document is the property of Brunei Shell Petroleum Sendirian Berhad (BSP), KB3534, Negara Brunei Darussalam. Circulation is restricted to BSP and its designated associates, contractors and

consultants. It must not be copied or used for any other purpose other than which it is supplied, without the expressed written authority of BSP.

Except where provided for purposes of contractual requirements, BSP disclaims any responsibility or liability for any use or misuse of the document by any person and makes no warranty as to the accuracy or suitability of the information to any third party. Any misuse of the document is redressable by BSP.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This module is one of a series produced by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd. They represent the minimum acceptable HSE standards for a wide range of operations that are carried out by, and for, the Brunei Shell JV Companies). “Brunei Shell JV Companies” are expressions used for convenience when referring to Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Brunei BLNG Sdn Bhd (BLNG), Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM) and Brunei Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd (BST) collectively. Each of the four companies has its own separate legal identity and objectives. The Government of Brunei Darussalam and Shell (which is also an expression of convenience) are shareholders in all four companies, whilst there is a third shareholder in BLNG, namely Mitsubishi Corporation.



Contents

CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................5

CHAPTER 2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES................................................................6

2.1 HSE PPE & Safety Equipment Technical Review Panel Team 6

2.2 Common Responsibilities 6

2.3 Asset Holders 7

2.4 Supervisors 7

2.5 All Personnel 7

CHAPTER 3.0 REQUIREMENTS....................................................................8

3.1 Introduction 8

3.2 Head Protection 8

3.3 Eye and Face Protection 12

3.4 Hearing Protection 16

3.5 Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) 18

3.6 Hand Protection 26

3.7 Body Protection 30

3.8 Foot Protection 36

3.9 Fall Protection Equipments (Full Body Harnesses and Lines) 38

CHAPTER 4.0 REFERENCES......................................................................43

Appendix 1 - Nominal Protection Factors for RPE 48

Appendix 2 - Breathing Air Quality Requirements 49

Appendix 3 - Guide to Selection of Filters for Filter Respirators 50



This Page is Intentionally Left Blank



C H A P T E R 1 . 0 I N T R O D U C T I O N

Although personal protective clothing and appliances are not substitutes for good safe working conditions and intelligent behaviour on the part of all employees, they do have an essential part to play in the protection of these employees. Its use does not eliminate the hazards in the workplace but it does help to control individual exposure by preventing injury and other adverse effects. It must be remembered that in ensuring the safety of personnel the Hierarachy of Control must be used to manage the Personal Protective Equipment use;

1. First: Eliminate the Hazard or exposure.

2. Second: Substitute materials or equipment to reduce the Hazard or exposure.

3. Third: Use engineering Control of the Hazard or exposure.

4. Fourth: Use procedural Control of the Hazard or exposure.

5. Fifth: Use Personal Protective Equipment

This document sets the standard for personal protective equipment in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES operational activities. A consistent pattern has been adopted for the Requirements section; for each type of equipment, starting with head protection and progressing down to foot protection, there is:

• a brief description of the hazards to be protected against.

• a description of the different types of protection and the considerations required during the

selection of a type for a particular application.

• a set of requirements for proper use of the equipment.

• a set of requirements for the care and maintenance of the equipment.

The Document Owner of this module is HSE/46 who provides technical input into the document in consultation with the line users (including the PPE technical team) within BSP JV.

N.B:

This manual applies to staff, contractors and visitors at BSP JV assets, facilities, operations, projects and activities. But does not



C H A P T E R 2 . 0 R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

2.1 HSE PPE & Safety Equipment Technical Review Panel Team

The HSE PPE & Safety Equipment Technical Review Panel Team will be responsible to ensure efficient and systematic review prior to acceptance of new PPE & Safety Equipment. The team panels will ensure proposed goods from suppliers / vendors, conformed with the specifications in this module. The Panel team members will consist of but will not be limited to;

1. Appointed BSP focal point (Team Leader)

2. PPE Technical Authority

3. Representative from HML/8 (Occupational Health)

4. Representative from Refinery (RHSE)

5. Representative from BLNG (HSEQ)

6. SCM/41 as contract holder representative

* There will be futher support from various disciplines Technical Authorities (dependent on equipment supplied) to assist in technical evaluation.

2.2 Common Responsibilities

Certain responsibilities associated with personal protective equipment are common to both Asset Holders, Contract Holders & Contractors. Their common responsibilities arise out of the fact that they are both employers of personnel, in a line management capacity in the case of Asset/Contract Holders, and directly in the case of contractors. The principle involved is that of employers being directly responsible for their workers, even where the Asset Holder has overall responsibility as the “owner” of a facility in which contractor personnel are working. The common responsibilities are as follows:

• Identify and assess the risks to which personnel may be exposed in order to determine

the most appropriate types of PPE required.

• Where possible, eliminate the need for PPE by adopting other more effective safeguards, for example fixed screens to protect against airborne debris instead of individual eye

protection or noise reduction measures applied to machinery instead of individual hearing protection.

• Make PPE readily available or provide clear instructions on how to obtain it. Provide PPE including repair, replacement or loss

- without any charge whatsoever to employees.

- in a variety of sizes to enable a correct fit to be achieved.

- that causes minimum discomfort to wearers.

- which is correct for the particular risks involved and the circumstances of its use

• Stock sufficient spare parts for adequately maintaining PPE.

• Provide suitable information, instruction and training to enable employees to make the

most effective use of PPE provided.

• Specify methods for making people aware of when and where Personal Protective

Equipment must be used.

• Specify how to issue, inspect, maintain, store and replace Personal Protective Equipment.

• Document the arrangements for people to have fitness evaluation prior to the use of

Respiratory Protection in line with Fitness to Work.

• Make arrangements that enable employees to report losses and defects, and repair or

replace PPE before work resumes.



2.3 Asset Holders

Responsibilities exclusive to Asset Holders are:

• To arrange the display of appropriate safety signs for identified PPE requirements.

• To ensure emergency procedures are in place for occasions where PPE fails to protect personnel.

2.4 Supervisors

It shall be the responsibility of supervisory personnel to ensure that:

• workers under their supervision are aware of the hazards in the workplace.

• controls are in place for tasks requiring the use of PPE.

• appropriate PPE is used for carrying out specific tasks.

• when different types of PPE are to be used simultaneously, they are compatible.

• workers under their supervision are trained in the correct use and maintenance of PPE.

• they carry out regular checks on the extent of correct use and maintenance of PPE.

• they periodically examine the condition of PPE being used by workers under their

supervision.

• they authorise valid requests by their workers for replacement of lost, worn or damaged

PPE.

• they set a good example by always wearing the correct PPE when required.

2.5 All Personnel

It shall be the responsibility of all personnel to ensure that they and all others working on BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES facilities wear PPE which is:

• of an approved type

• suitable for the tasks to be carried out

• in good condition

• of a suitable size

• worn properly

• properly maintained

Personnel shall ensure that specific, site PPE requirements such as are contained in site rules and displayed on safety signs are observed at all times.

Personnel shall report any losses and defects in PPE to their supervisor immediately they occur and shall request the replacement of lost, worn or damaged PPE.



C H A P T E R 3 . 0 R E Q U I R E M E N T S

3.1 Introduction

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels. This document gives a guideline in determining which PPE should be used to protect personnel.

Where PPE is used, a PPE program will be implemented. This program should address the hazards present; the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE; the training of employees; and monitoring of the program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.

The following information on types of PPE to be used relevant to personal protective equipment PPE) in the workplace.

3.2 Head Protection

The head is the part of the human body most susceptible to disabling injury from impact of dropped objects. Head injuries have extreme danger potential, are often severe and the effects can persist for a long time. Safety helmets are intended to give the wearer protection against impact and penetration damage and are designed not to fracture when struck nor transfer the force of the blow to the wearer’s skull immediately below the point of impact.

Safety helmets are constructed of the following components:

• A hard shell with a smoothly finished outer surface and lugs for the attachment of a

chinstrap. The most common shell materials are high density polythene, polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polycarbonate/ABS blend, reinforced fibreglass and reins-impregnated textiles. The use of an aluminium shell is NOT permitted within

BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES.

• A harness or suspension system which encircles the head. It is usually made of plastic, adjustable to a variety of sizes. The harness is a major component in absorbing energy from impact.

• A headband which contacts the wearer’s head at the forehead area.

Typical safety helmet Abseilers helmet

The illustration shows a typical safety helmet and the type used by abseilers.



3.2.1 Selection

Safety helmets shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

A safety helmet shall be of an appropriate shell size for the wearer and have an easily adjustable headband, nape and chin strap. Safety helmets for abseiling shall be without a peak and shall be fitted with a retaining strap with two points of attachment on each side of the helmet.

It is important for safety helmets to be comfortable to wear and this can be achieved by ensuring that:

• the headband is wide enough and contoured to fit the head properly

• sweatbands are absorbent and easily cleaned or replaced

• chin straps do not cross the ears, have smooth, quick-release buckles which do

not dig in to the skin, are made of non-irritant material and can be stowed on the helmet when not in use.

Accessories such as ear defenders and face shields can be fitted to safety helmets and care shall be taken when fitting them that the shell is not weakened or its electrical protection impaired.

Note: The shell or harness of a safety helmet must not be altered or modified in any way, nor interchanging of harnesses between helmet types attempted.

NOTE1: Head Protection Guidance for Sikhs wearing Turbans

It is recommended that employers may be able to:

• prohibit access to areas where head injuries could result or provide protected routes through such areas;

• avoid the movement of suspended loads above working areas;

• fix some form of protection – such guards or toe boards – to prevent objects falling

from edges of raised platforms;

• mark and custom fix hazards, such as pipes & low access points

NOTE 2: Attachment of Sun shade kit to Safety helmet.

The use of safety helmet fitted with sun shade kit would only be permitted if joint approval from area authority (asset holder) and supervisor of executing personal (if executing party is different from the asset holder) is agreed. It is however prohibited in an area where sun shade kit is likely to be entangled with rotating equipment.



NOTE 3: Green Helmet

The objective of the green helmet directive is to ensure that people who are unfamiliar or new to our worksites are easily identified. This is important as people who are not familiar with the new work environment may unknowingly place themselves and others in harms way. The green helmet scheme provides a means for more experienced worksite supervisors to closely supervise and monitor their activities and provide the right level of support and guidance.

Green Helmet

It is a mandatory for all staff to use of ” green helmets” for the following categories of people with effect from 15th June 2005: -

1. Personnel traveling offshore using Temporary or special offshore passes.

2. All “newcomers” as described below, who have worked for less than three months.

• New recruits with limited work experiences or no experience,

• Personnel assigned to new trade and lack of the trade skills,

• First timers to the worksite or operations (onshore or offshore new work

environment),

NOTE 4: Tudong

The use of ‘TUDONG’ or Veil is a common sight for muslim ladies to cover the head and hair area. It is there for essential for ladies to wear a company approved TUDONG made of 100% cotton as a minimum and of flame resistant material in hydrocarbon facilities or where required, SILK tudongs must not be used in these area due to the nature of silk to instantly ignite upon exposure to fire.

3.2.2 Use

Safety helmets shall be worn at all times when outdoors in process areas, offshore platforms, maintenance, repair and construction sites, at any time where there is a potential risk of head injury, and at any time when the appropriate sign is displayed at a work place (see HSE Standard Module 28 - Safety Signs and Colour Codes http://sww-livelink.bsp.shell.bn/livelink/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=234816&objAction=Open).

On boarding vessels and during swing rope transfers between boats and platforms, the chinstrap must be used to ensure the safety helmet does not fall off from the user (see HSE Standard Module 29 - Travelling and Working Offshore http://sww-livelink.bsp.shell.bn/livelink/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objid=819766&objaction=open).

Chin strap shall be used if job involves work at height, in windy condition, or repeated bending or constantly looking upwards action.

“ At BLNG, areas for the compulsory wearing of safety helmets are defined in a BLNG-specific HSE document”.

Safety Helmets should not be used and replaced immediately when:

1. its has been subjected to a heavy blow, even if there is no visible sign of damage.

2. There are apparent damages and discoloration to the helmet



Safety helmets shall not be painted or decorated with adhesive stickers, as the paint or solvents in the adhesive can damage the helmet shell. Embossed tape (e.g. Dymotape) identification labels are acceptable.

Safety helmets shall not be worn back-to-front, dropped, thrown, used as seats or supports, used for carrying objects or subjected to any other form of abuse.

3.2.3 Care and Maintenance

Safety helmets shall be properly cared for and maintained by:

• storing them in a safe place when not in use, for example on a peg or in a cupboard

• visually examining them regularly for signs of damage or deterioration

• replacing defective harness components

• regularly cleaning or replacing the sweat band

• or get a new one for replacement

All safety helmets are susceptible to loss of strength and impact resistance from ultraviolet light, temperature extremes and chemical degradation. An inspection/maintenance programme which includes provision for replacement should be established. Not only chemical or physical damage but material of manufacture and environmental conditions are criteria to be considered in any replacement programme. Practical experience suggests the following replacement periods:

• Polyethylene helmets 2-3 years

• Polycarbonate helmets 5-6 years

• Resin impregnated textile and fibreglass helmets 10 years

Harnesses must also be inspected regularly as perspiration, hair oils and normal wear can effect their integrity.



3.3 Eye and Face Protection

Many industrial operations create hazards to the eyes and face of the person carrying out the work and to the eyes of other people in the vicinity. Typical examples of eye and face hazards include the handling of dangerous chemicals, metal cutting and grinding, high pressure jetting, paint spraying, welding and flame cutting, non-ionising radiation and the use of lasers.

3.3.1 Selection

Eye and face protection shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

To protect against hazards to the eyes and face, the basic types of protection are as follows.

Type Description of Use

Prescription Glasses

Safety Spectacles

Similar in appearance to prescription spectacles, they normally incorporate sideshields to give lateral protection to the wearer. To protect against impact, the lenses are made from tough optical quality plastic such as polycarbonate. Safety spectacles are generally light in weight and are available in several styles with either plastic or metal frames, but these must not be mistaken with on the shelf commercial branded dark glasses which are made of similar material but are not tested to the required standard. For further information and advise of your eyeware protection, please seek advise from you HSE advisor or PPE TA.

Most manufacturers offer a range of prescription safety spectacles which are individually matched to the wearer. (BSP staff requiring prescription safety spectacles can seek advise from HML/4 and the necessary arrangements will be made through them for supply).

BLNG uses a similar procedure with requirements handled by HSEQ/2)

Note: Contact lenses are not classed as a type of eye protection.

Eyeshields These are like safety spectacles but are heavier and designed with a frameless, one piece moulded lens. Vision correction is not possible as the lens cannot be interchanged. Some eyeshields may be worn over prescription spectacles.

Goggles There are two basic types of goggles. Cup-type goggles give complete enclosure of the eyes and can be fitted with lenses for gas welding or metal cutting. They cannot be worn over prescription spectacles. Box-type goggles are made with a flexible plastic frame and one-

piece lens and have an elasticated headband. They give total eye protection from all angles as the whole periphery of the goggle is in contact with the face. They may have toughened glass lenses or wide vision plastic lenses, usually replaceable.

Goggles are more prone to misting than spectacles and double-glazed goggles or those treated with an anti-mist coating may be more effective where misting is a problem. Where strenuous work is done in hot conditions, ‘direct ventilation’ goggles may be more suitable. However, these are not suitable for protection against chemicals, gases and dust. ‘Indirect



Type Description of Use

ventilation’ goggles are not perforated, but are fitted with baffled ventilators to prevent liquids and dust from entering. Certain types of goggles will protect against gas or vapour.

Face shields These are heavier and bulkier than other types of protection but are comfortable if fitted with an adjustable head harness or mounted to a safety helmet using a designed carrier attachment. They are usually hinge mounted to allow swivel up when not required. Faceshields protect the face but do not fully enclose the eyes and therefore do not protect against dusts, mist or gases entering from below. They may be worn over prescription spectacles and are generally not prone to misting. Faceshields with reflective metal screens allow good visibility while effectively deflecting heat and are used in protective equipment for firefighters.

Welding screens Face screens used during welding operations give protection to the eyes, face and neck against infra-red and ultraviolet radiation. They can be hand held or mounted on a hinged head harness which allows swivel up when not required. Interchangeable filters are available for different types of gas and electric welding operations.



3.3.2 Use

The type of protection used shall be appropriate to the job/task to be performed and shall comply with the requirements of work instructions, work permits and area rules as displayed on safety signs.

In BSP, safety spectacles must be used at all times in operating facilities, drilling rigs, workshops, and construction sites. They must be worn where the appropriate signage are displayed, or where instructions are given.

Note that at BLNG, areas for the compulsory use of eye protection are defined in a BLNG-specific HSE document. No tinted / dark safety glasses are allowed at all BLNG sites.

Conditions of use:

Consideration should also be given to the use of suitable shields, screens or by restricting access to hazard areas, to provide protection for bystanders and passers-by.

1. ‘Normal’ Sunglasses are not a substitute for approved eye protection as the lenses and frames do not conform to the same standards of impact resistance as safety glasses. If eye protection from direct sunlight is required in addition to impact protection, safety spectacles with shaded / darkened lenses shall be used.

2. Where the possibility of the face being splashed under a face shield shall be

considered. Goggles shall be used in combination with a face shield for work involving chemicals very hazardous to the eye.

3. Where exposure to irritant vapours may occur, gas/vapour tight goggles shall be worn.

4. Work with equipment where there is the potential for LNG to come into contact with the eyes and face requires the wearing of a face shield to provide protection to both the face and the neck.

5. Welding and flame cutting requires the use of goggles or faceshields. Welders mates and helpers shall be issued with approved eye protection when working adjacent to welding operations.

Optical Filters:

1. Optical filters for welding shields and goggles are designed to reduce the radiation intensity to a safe level. They may attenuate all wavelengths or bands of wavelengths, or have very specific properties, e.g. laser filters and plane polarising filters. The filter specification shall indicate the wavelength of radiation to which they apply. The safe level of intensity varies with wavelength.

2. The optical properties of the filters differ and it is essential that the correct optical filters are used, e.g. blue glass or tinted lenses do not protect against infra-red radiation. Welding glasses or lenses protect the eyes from visible and infra-red radiation as well as ultra-violet. Replaceable clear glass, polycarbonate covers or ‘tear off’ acetate lens covers shall be used to protect the optical filters from damage due to impact, molten metal, flux, etc.


The lenses of eye and face protectors must be kept clean as dirty lenses restrict vision, causing eye fatigue and may lead to accidents. There are two methods for cleaning eye

and face protectors:

1. Glass, polycarbonate and other plastic materials can be cleaned by thoroughly wetting both sides of the lens or shield and drying with wet strength absorbent paper. Anti-static and anti-fog cleaning fluids may be used if static or misting is a problem.

2. Materials can be “dry” cleaned by removing grit and dust with a brush and using a silicon treated non-woven cloth. Plastic and polycarbonate material, however, should not be “dry” cleaned as the cloth used in this method may scratch it.



Eye protectors shall be issued on a personal basis and used only by the person to whom they are issued. If eye protectors are reissued they shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Eye protectors should be kept in a case or pouch when not in use. Eye protector headbands (googles) shall be replaced when worn out or damaged.

Scratched or pitted lenses shall be replaced as they may impair vision and their resistance to impact may be impaired. Transparent face shields shall be replaced when warped, scratched or brittle with age.



3.4 Hearing Protection

Sound is picked up by the ear in the form of acoustic pressure waves. These pass through to the inner ear where thousands of extremely fine hair cell nerves react and send corresponding messages to the brain. Short periods of exposure to excessive noise levels can produce temporary hearing loss which may initially be reversible. Repeated exposure to high noise levels can result in the destruction of hair cell nerves and once destroyed, they do not recover and hearing becomes permanently impaired.

3.4.1 Selection

Hearing protection shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4. Note that in BLNG, the use of ear plugs are not permitted and any reference to ear plugs is therefore NOT applicable to BLNG.

The choice of hearing protection depends on the conditions under which the noise exposure will occur as well as the characteristics, duration and intensity of the noise exposure. There are two basic types of protection used in BSP and JV (but selection is

not limited to these designs), illustrated and described as follows:

Type Descriptions

Ear Plugs Ear plugs manufactured from either plastic or fibre material can achieve satisfactory reduction in levels of noise reaching the ear. The plastic type is made of spongy polymer foam which is tightly rolled between the fingers and inserted in the ear where it expands to form an effective acoustic seal. Another plastic type is individually moulded to fit the ear of the user but this type is not in common use. The fibre type is similarly used but is not quite so effective. Both types are comfortable to wear over long periods, especially in hot working environments.

Moulded earplugs

The moulded earplugs are a personally moulded and vented earplug. It is a silicone rubber moulding which is moulded to each individual concha bowl and ear canal. The plug incorporates a central drilled channel in which a filter is placed which allows pressure equalisation but prevents a finite impedance to the passage of audio frequency sounds

.

Ear Muffs / Defenders

Ear muffs, also known as ear defenders, are rigid plastic cups designed to completely enclose the external ear and prevent sound pressure waves entering the ear. They are held in place by springy headbands or are attached to the side of a safety helmet by swivels so that they can be raised away from the ears when not required. Each ear cup has a cushion round its edge to ensure a good seal with the head and the inside of the cup is filled with an acoustic absorbent foam. Fabric covers over the cup seals make them more comfortable to use in hot working environments



The accompanying table lists the relative advantages and disadvantages of ear plugs and ear muffs.

3.4.2 Use

All personnel shall wear suitable hearing protection at all times when working in, or visiting, actual or potentially high noise areas (>85dB(A)), where a safety sign requiring hearing protection is displayed and, at BLNG, where yellow dotted lines indicate hearing protection demarkation boundaries.

Disposable (mouldable) earplugs shall be made readily available for use by personnel at the entrances to all facilities in BSP where actual or potential high noise levels exist.

The use of tissue paper, cotton wool, fibreglass wool or other non-standard methods of attempted protection is NOT effective, and is prohibited.


Ear plugs (exception to moulded personal ear plugs) are intended to be disposable and although they can be cleaned and reused, it is not recommended.

Ear muffs must be regularly examined for signs of damage or deterioration to the shells, linings and headband, and defective parts replaced. Regular cleaning of the contact seals with a damp cloth will prevent discomfort and ear infection. Ear muffs should be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use.

EARPLUGS

Advantages

• Small and easily carried.

• Can be worn conveniently and effectively with no interference from eye protection, headwear, ear rings or hair.

• Do not impede head movement in restricted areas.

• Except for some pre-formed and moulded plugs, cost of ear plugs is much less than ear muffs.

• Relatively comfortable in hot environments.

Disadvantages

• Moulded ear plugs need more time to fit.

• The level of protection provided by good ear plugs may be less and more variable between wearers than is provided by good ear muffs.

• Dirt may be introduced into the ear canal if plugs are inserted with dirty hands.

• It is difficult to monitor persons wearing ear plugs because they cannot be seen from a distance.

• Ear plugs can only be worn in healthy ears.

EAR MUFFS

Advantages

• The noise attenuation provided by good ear muffs is generally greater and less variable than that of good ear plugs.

• One size fits most heads.

• It is easy to monitor groups wearing ear muffs because they can be seen from a distance.

• At the beginning of a hearing conservation programme, ear muffs are usually accepted more readily than ear plugs.

• Ear muffs can be worn despite minor ear infections.

• Ear muffs are not easily misplaced or lost.

• Conversation while wearing ear muffs is easier because attenuation is specific to frequencies which do not cover speech.

Disadvantages

• Ear muffs can be uncomfortable to wear in hot environments.

• They are not easily carried or stored.

• They are not convenient to wear without their interference with eye protection, headwear, ear rings or hair.

• Usage or deliberate bending of suspension bands may reduce protection to substantially less than expected.

• Ear muffs may impede head movement in restricted areas.

• Ear muffs are more expensive than ear plugs.



3.5 Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE)

Devices to protect the respiratory system are designed to guard against dusts, fumes, gases and vapours. The design of a respiratory protection device is based on one of two distinct principles, namely:

• the filtration and/or absorption of contaminants from the local atmosphere which allows

the wearer to breathe the local air safely.

• the provision of a source of breathing air which is independent of the surrounding atmosphere.

There are two quite separate classes of RPE for protection against respiratory hazards, as described below.

Respirators

This class of RPE purifies the surrounding air being breathed into the lungs through the nose and mouth. The contaminated air is drawn through a filter, chemical, or combination of filter and chemical that removes the harmful substances before they can cause harm to the health of the wearer. The amount of protection offered to the wearer depends upon the efficiency of the filter.

Breathing Apparatus

Breathing Apparatus (BA) has its own supply of air from an uncontaminated source. The air that is breathed by the wearer is supplied either from cylinders direct to the wearer or by a compressor and/or cylinders that are situated well away from the hazardous substances causing the respiratory hazards, via an airline to the wearer.

3.5.1 Selection of RPE

Respiratory protection shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

Before selection of RPE can be made, an assessment shall be made to identify any potential sources of breathing hazard in the planned scope of work. If any is found, the following actions shall be taken:

The risk to health from the hazardous substance likely to be in the air shall be determined. The risk assessment shall be based on the toxicity of the substance and the likely duration of exposure.

• If the hazard is likely to cause ill effects to the health of workers, the method of

work or substance proposed shall be examined to determine if a different method of work or type of substance can be used to reduce, or eliminate, the hazard.

• If the work method or substance cannot be changed, the use of mechanical

extraction or ventilation equipment to reduce the amount of hazardous substance in the air, shall be considered.

Once these actions have been taken, the type and quantity of hazard assessed, the method and duration of work examined, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of RPE considered, the selection of appropriate RPE can be made.

Where there are any doubts as to the information supplied for the selection of RPE, breathing apparatus shall be selected as the recommended form of respiratory protection.

Breathing apparatus shall always be selected where there is a risk of oxygen deficiency.

3.5.2 Information, Instruction and Training

Before any work that involves the use of RPE, wearers and supervisors of the work shall be informed of the breathing hazards likely to occur throughout the duration of the work. They will have received appropriate instructions to enable them to carry out the work safely and shall be trained in the use of RPE. The current standard for the training of

RPE wearers will be found in the BSP Training Department (HLD) Safety Training Prospectus.

For wearers of Self Contained BA (SCBA) and Air Line BA, attendance at the Vessel Entry Course will be sufficient training which may lead to approval by the concerned line manager/BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES Contract Representative following demonstration of competence.

Wearers will be subjected to Fitness to Work requirements for BA wearers.



3.5.3 Filter Respirators

Filter respirators are devices in which ambient air passes through a filter before being inhaled. They can be unassisted or powered and there are several different types of filter respirator. The most common types of respirator are described below along with a description of some of their advantages and disadvantages.

Filter respirators are only filters - they must not be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Appendix 3 gives guidance on the selection of filters and cartridges for different applications.

Filter Mask

This is a simple filtering respirator. The filter is shaped to form a mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin and is supplied with adjustable straps that fit around the head. These straps do not prevent a “hard hat” or other head protection from being worn with the filter mask. It should also have an adjustable nose piece that helps provide a seal between the mask and the wearer’s face.

Advantages: Disadvantages:

Maintenance free

Requires very little training of the wearer

Light and easy to wear for prolonged use

Requires frequent replacement

Only protects against low level hazards specified by the manufacturer

Filter or Cartridge Type Respirator

This type of respirator has a rubber or neoprene mask with head straps and threaded attachments for fitting filters or cartridges. The masks are obtainable in two styles, Half-Mask which is similar in design to the filter mask and only covers the nose, mouth and chin, and Full-Face which consists of a half mask fitted inside another mask with a clear visor and face seal that extends to the forehead of the wearer. This provides eye protection as well as breathing protection.

Advantages: Disadvantages:

Can be used frequently with only the filters or cartridges requiring replacement.

Can be used for protection against many breathing hazards when fitted with different filters or cartridges.

When used with a full-face mask, provides eye protection.

Requires maintenance and a higher degree of wearer training.

May be heavier than a filter mask and therefore not so suitable for prolonged periods of use.



Canister Type Respirator

This type of respirator has a rubber or neoprene full-face mask. The face mask is connected by flexible hose to a canister that contains the filter medium and is usually worn on a belt around the waist or on a full body harness. Canister type respirators can be tiring to wear for long periods as air has to be “pulled” through the filter(s) by the lungs. They also require considerable maintenance and frequent recorded checking that the effective life of the filter medium in the canister has not expired. Their use is not recommended in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES operations.

Powered Respirators

These types are very similar to the filter respirator with the addition of a battery-driven fan, after the filter(s). Some manufacturers make Helmet Powered Respirators where the fan and the filter are built in to the back of a safety helmet that is provided with a clear visor extending down the front of the helmet to below the wearer’s chin. This provides a constant flow of breathable air to the nose and mouth.

Advantages: Can be used frequently with only the filter and batteries requiring replacement.

Can be used for protection against many breathing hazards when fitted with different filters.

Provides eye protection and a greater degree of visibility as filters are away from the face.

Not as tiring to wear as cartridge type respirators.

Helmet Powered Respirators provide eye and head protection as well as breathing protection, and provide a cooling effect with the airstream.

Disadvantages: Requires a lot of maintenance and a higher degree of wearer training.

These units must only be used in non-flammable or hydrocarbon free areas, unless certified for use in a Hazardous Area.



3.5.4 Breathing Apparatus (BA)

There are several different types of BA and they all enable the wearer to breathe independently of the surrounding atmosphere by providing a pressure-fed air supply that comes from an uncontaminated source. Used correctly, BA will provide protection from all breathing health hazards.

All BA used in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES operations shall be of the Positive Pressure type and shall maintain a pressure inside the mask or hood that is above atmospheric pressure at all times when worn. This prevents the entry of toxic or hazardous atmospheres to the breathing zone of the wearer should the mask become dislodged or the mask not form a total seal against the contours of the wearer’s face.

The most common types of BA are described below along with a description of some of their advantages and disadvantages.

Air-Fed Hoods and Helmets

Air-fed hoods and helmets are a very simple type of BA. Air-fed hoods consist of simple hoods of clear plastic material that cover the whole head to the shoulders. Beneath the hood is attached a strong fabric collar that covers the shoulders and upper chest. Air is constantly fed from a breathing air supply, via a hose and cooler unit, directly into the hood. The air supply will be direct from a compressor which is capable of supplying breathing quality air. Air-fed helmets are very similar, but use an industrial standard helmet with a clear visor, that protects the whole head and face, instead of the plastic

hood.

Advantages:

May be used for very long periods or for jobs that require daily breathing protection.

Air-fed helmets provide head protection, and may provide a limited amount of hearing protection as well as breathing protection.

Provides a cool air stream to the wearer.

Disadvantages:

Requires maintenance.

Requires wearer training.

Distance of wearer travel limited by length of airline.

Requires the use of an air compressor that is capable of supplying breathing quality air.

Breathing air compressors require regular maintenance by trained and competent personnel.



Air-line Breathing Apparatus

This type of BA is very commonly used in the petroleum industry. It consists of a Full-Face mask similar in design to that of Cartridge Type Respirators. The face mask is fitted with a demand valve which allows a supply of air to be breathed by the wearer when he inhales. The demand regulator is fitted to a long airline that leads to a pressurised supply of breathing quality air. The air supply will be either direct from a compressor which is capable of supplying breathing quality air or from cylinders that have been filled from such a compressor.

Advantages:

May be used for long periods.

Provides protection from all respiratory health hazards whether known or unknown.

Disadvantages:

Requires regular maintenance by trained and competent personnel.

Requires a high degree of wearer training.

Needs close supervision and control.

Distance of wearer travel limited by length of airline.

Note: Line management must ensure that contract personnel carrying out operational activities where breathing apparatus is required for extended duration use air-line equipment, rather than cylinders or SCBA, to relieve physical stress



Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Self-contained breathing apparatus is equipped with a similar mask to airline BA but the air supply to the demand regulator comes from a compressed air cylinder that is attached to a back plate carried on the wearer’s back. It is also equipped with a pressure gauge from the compressed air cylinder so that the wearer may check the cylinder contents.

Advantages:


Unrestricted by trailing air lines.

Disadvantages:


Requires a very high degree of wearer training.


Wearer time restricted by compressed breathing air cylinder contents.



Escape Breathing Apparatus

This is a smaller version of a self contained breathing apparatus set. It is equipped with a mask or hood with an air supply from a small compressed air cylinder. The cylinder is not normally mounted on a back plate but is contained in a bag or has straps so that it may be carried by the wearer. It is only intended for escape from areas where breathing hazards exist, or are likely to exist, to areas where it is safe to breathe, or other types of BA are available.

It must only be used for escape purposes and not for any type of work or rescue.

Advantages:


Light and easy to wear.

Disadvantages:


Requires a very high degree of wearer training.


Equipped with a small air cylinder so can only be used for periods of a few minutes.

Compressed Breathing Air

Breathing air systems shall as far as possible be dedicated solely to that purpose. General service or tool air systems shall not be used. Instrument air systems may be used providing adequate filtering, warning and back-up systems are installed in the event of failure of the instrument air supply.

Air supplied for breathing shall meet the quality standard set out in Appendix 4. Note, it is unlikely that single stage compressors will achieve this standard.

Arrangements shall be made for the supply of breathing air from compressors to be tested at regular intervals. These intervals shall, as a minimum, be those specified by the manufacturer, and upon the changing of filters or mechanical maintenance.



3.5.5 Maintenance and Inspection

All respirators and associated consumable items shall be stored in a clean and dust free environment, away from sources of direct sunlight and extremes of heat and humidity.

New filter cartridges and cannister refills shall be stored in their original packing. They shall remain sealed in that packing until they are to be used. If the seal is broken prior to use, it shall be disposed of according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. All filter cartridges and cannister refills bear a date printed by the manufacturer indicating their maximum shelf-life. Items that are beyond this recommended shelf-life, or where the shelf-life is not clearly visible, shall not be used for any reason whatsoever.

All RPE used in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES operations shall be maintained, as a minimum, in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and shall be carried out by trained personnel. Only manufacturers’ approved spare parts and consumable items shall be used in the maintenance of RPE.

All RPE is to be inspected by the wearer prior to use to ensure that it is in full and complete working order, and any RPE showing any defect at all shall be rejected for use and removed from the worksite until it has been repaired.

Records shall be kept of the maintenance and inspection of RPE which show the identifying mark of the individual item of equipment, the reason for inspection or maintenance, the result of the maintenance or inspection, the name of the person performing the maintenance or inspection, and the date. These records, or copies of the records, shall be available wherever the equipment is to be used.



3.6 Hand Protection

Gloves are used to protect the hands against chemical, physical and biological hazards. There is no single type of glove that suits every purpose, conditions, processes and materials vary so much that a given situation may require its own individual type of hand protection.

3.6.1 Selection

Hand protection shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

Gloves or other hand protection must be capable of giving protection from hazards, be comfortable and fit the wearer. The choice of protection shall be made on the basis of suitability, compatibility with the work and the requirements of the user. Also to be considered is the ability of protective gloves to resist abrasion and other industrial wear and tear.

Manufacturer’s instructions and markings for appropriate use and level of protection shall be observed. When selecting gloves for chemical protection, reference shall be made to chemical permeation and resistance data provided by manufacturers. Hazard types

and the means of protecting against them are:



Types Description

Abrasion, Blade, Tear and Puncture Resistance

Gloves manufactured to BS EN 388 are rated against four catergories

Abrasion resistance

Blade resistance

Tear resistance

Puncture resistance

Each of these categories carry protection ratings 1-4,1-5,1-4,1-4 rerspectively; the higher the number the greater the protection in that particular category e.g a glove may be rated BS EN388 4.1.2.0 highest number giving the most protection in that category i.e abrasion (4) and Puncture resistance (0, no protection in this category) In general leather gives

protection against abrasion. Gloves made from knitted Kevlar protect against cuts and penertration those manufactured from Kevlar needlefelt give good puncture resistance. This catergory of glove is also best suited for work involving food preparation in kitchen and gallery where there is high risk of fingers cuts from knifes and other sharp objects. These types of gloves can also be rated to provide ‘Anti Static’ protection suitable for certain working environaments. Identify the hazard prior to selecting the right glove protection.

Temperature extremes

Depending on their weight and construction, terrycloth gloves will protect against heat and cold. Gloves made from neoprene are good for handling fluids such as oils in low temperatures. Gloves manufactured from other materials such as Kevlar, glass fibre and leather can give protection at elevated temperatures. Cryogenic gloves worn over surgical silicone gloves protect against cold burns from LNG

Fire

Chromed leather gloves are fire retardant and protect against sparks and hot slag. Welders gauntlets are a typical form of hand protection made from leather.

Electrical

For working on live electrical equipment where voltages may reach but not exceed 650 V, one-piece gloves made of raw natural or synthetic rubber, or a combination of the two, give protection against electric shock

Chemicals

Chemical protective gloves are available in a range of materials including natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, butyl, PVA, PVC and viton. The degree of protection against chemical permeation depends on the glove material, its thickness and method of construction. As a general rule, gloves for use in handling toxic liquids should be chosen on the basis of breakthrough time, i.e. the duration of use not to exceed the breakthrough time quoted by the manufacturer of the glove for the chemical substance concerned. When

handling dry powders, any chemically resistant glove may be used. The durability of the gloves in the work environment shall also be considered, remembering that some glove materials are adversely affected by abrasion.

General hazards



Types Description

Rubber, plastic and knitted fabric gloves are flexible, resist cuts and abrasion, repel liquids and offer a good grip. Rubber gloves allow a sensitive touch and give a firm grip in water or wet conditions. Leather, cotton knit or other general purpose gloves are suitable for most other jobs. General purpose gloves shall only be used to protect against minimal risks to health and safety, e.g. garden maintenance, kitchen wash-up and similar low risk tasks.

Badly-fitting gloves are liable to premature wear. The greatest part of the wear and strain is taken by the thumb joint to the hand. If gloves are too small they tend to ridge between the index finger and the thumb and this leads to cracking of the joint. If too large, the palms tend to ridge and cause localised excessive wear. If too tight, they may be difficult to remove without resulting in contamination. Correct fit is of more importance with less flexible glove materials.

3.6.2 Use

The wearing of gloves during the operation of rotating machinery such as lathes, pillar drills, etc. is strictly prohibited. There is a greater potential danger to the operator from the possibility of a glove becoming entangled with the machinery, than the degree of protection offered by gloves being used in such service.

When wearing gloves offering chemical protection, avoid touching other exposed parts of the body, equipment or fittings as contamination may be transferred to them.

Gloves used for handling chemicals shall be decontaminated regularly during use, by washing. Contaminated gloves may need to be washed off with a suitable cleaner before being removed so as to prevent spread of contamination. They should be removed without the skin touching the glove and may be replaced on the hands by sliding the hands into gloves as far as they will go then using the joint of the thumb to hold one glove secure while wriggling the fingers into position.

Care must be taken to avoid contaminating the lining or inside of the glove. Not all chemicals can be easily removed and immediate disposal of contaminated gloves without re-use may be required, especially where highly toxic materials have been handled.

Note, most gloves do not provide protection during prolonged immersion in chemicals.

Rubber gloves for electrical work shall be issued in a protective container free from oil and grease. They must be checked by thorough visual examination before they are used and if either of a pair of gloves is thought to be unsafe, both shall be replaced. Gloves which are kept in toolboxes should be stored in a plastic box or pouch.


Where tests show that penetration through a glove can occur, a control system of regular glove checking, cleaning and replacement shall be put in place.

Gloves shall be regularly examined for cuts, punctures, abrasion, cracks, contamination, etc. Areas between the fingers and other flex points shall be carefully examined. They may be tested for leaks by inflating with low pressure air (200 kPa) and immersing in a water bath while still under pressure, care maintenance and testing methods are normally available from the glove manufacturer.

Although it may be practical to decontaminate and re-use gloves in certain situations, the cleaning process usually does not remove all the toxic material, thus reducing breakthrough time for subsequent use. Discarded and contaminated gloves shall be destroyed, in order to prevent unauthorised retrieval and use (this is especially important for gloves that may have been in contact with very toxic substances.)

Gloves shall be stored at ambient temperatures away from light, moisture, solvents and chemicals. Each person should be issued with protective gloves on a personal basis to prevent the spread of contagious skin infections.



If rubber gloves for electrical work become dirty or soiled, they can be cleaned by washing with soap and water at a temperature not exceeding the glove manufacturer’s recommended limit, then thoroughly dried and dusted with talcum powder. If insulating compounds such as mastic or paint continue to stick to the gloves, the affected parts should be sparingly wiped with a suitable solvent and recleaned. They can then be returned to their storage box or pouch.



3.7 Body Protection

Clothing used on the body is wide ranging and includes coveralls (1 piece and 2 piece) & aprons to protect against chemicals and other hazardous substances. Outfits to protect against temperature extremes and the weather and clothing to protect against machinery such as chain saws. In addition, the range is extended with items worn on the body on top of clothing, for example high visibility garments and flotation devices. All protective clothing are made for specific purposes and should be selected on this basis. They all fall within the generic description of body protection. Protective clothing will be worn when working in areas where the hazards identified in the table below are present.

3.7.1 Selection

Body protection shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

Hazards to the body and protection against them are as follows:

Type PPE description

General industrial

Hazards of the type generally encountered in an industrial environment consist of exposure to dirt, grease and oil. Protection against these substances in routine operations shall be achieved by wearing cotton coveralls made from cotton fabric.

All coverall used for activity executed for BSP shall be long sleeved with velcro stip wrist collar. Velco strips will enable tight fitting of coverall on a person wrist when operating rotating equipment. E.g hand drilling. As best practice, all coveralls will have reflective stripes to ensure visibility at low light or dark areas (especially working at night)

Hydrocarbon production / processing facilities / Refinery / Fuel tanker Drivers

Exposure to fire / extreme heat in hydrocarbon facilities frequently results in serious injuries

and in some cases, death, casued by severe burns requiring years of skin grafting and rehabilitation. As such, for personnel working in hydrocarbon rich production and processing facilities must use fire retardant / fire resistent coveralls. Polymix materials are not to be used in hydrocarbon environment. Only ‘FIRE RETARDANT / RESISTANT’ made materials for coverall will be used in all areas where there is PRESENCE OF HYDROCARBON or IN HYDROCARBON FACILITIES’. These materials are of either NOMEX or COTTON TREATED; PROBAN® , INDURA® ,etc.

* BLNG enforces use of ‘Fire retardant / Fire resistent’ Clothing material used in operational area.



Personnel Working with electricity

Exposure to an arc flash frequently results in serious injuries and in some cases, death. Workers have been injured even though they were three meters or more away from the spot where arc flash had occured. Worker injuries can include damaged eyesight, and severe burns requiring years of skin grafting and rehabilitation. As such, for personnel working with electricity, it is mandatory to use fire retardant coveralls with Category 2 (NFPA) protection for arc flash for normal electrical activities (daily wear) or a Fire Retardant Coveralls with Category 4 (NFPA) protection when working with higher voltage electricity..

Category Classification (adopted from NFPA 70E standard)

Low risk chemicals

Protection shall be achieved with chemical resistant clothing, e.g. coveralls and laboratory coats, made from uncoated cotton or synthetic material such as nylon or Terylene with a water resistant finish.

Solvents, oils, greases

The heavier protection required shall be afforded by coveralls, coats and aprons made from neoprene or polyurethane coated nylon, or Terylene or rubber aprons.

Chemical suits

Protection against stronger chemicals shall be achieved by the use of totally encapsulating suits which are either vapour-proof or liquid-splash proof and are fed with breathable air.

Vapour suits



Protection against hazardous vapours shall be achieved by the use of totally encapsulating suits made of butyl, PVC, viton or a combination of viton and butyl or teflon.

Fibres and dust

Protection shall be achieved by wearing suits made from bonded olefin that forms a dense shield which keeps out fibres and dust particles.

Weather protection

In the Bruneian climate, protection is required against the sun and rain. The problem of sunburn may be overcome by wearing long sleeved coveralls and a neckerchief.

Jackets, trousers and leggings made with PVC coated cotton or nylon offer protection against rain and these materials are also resistant to abrasion, cracking and tearing and protect against most oils, chemicals and acids. ‘Breathable’ waterproof fabrics such as Goretex keep out water while allowing body perspiration to escape.

Cryogenic protection

Protection against the effects of contact with cryogenic substances, e.g. LNG, liquid nitrogen, shall be achieved with a PVC coat worn over a cryogenic apron, and PVC leggings.

Heat and Flame personal protection

For welders, protection against sparks, flames and weld splatter shall be achieved by the wearing of 100% cotton or cotton coveralls with special flame-retardant finishes, in addition to using an apron made of leather.

For Firemen, reflective aluminium suits able to withstand high temperatures are used by firefighters.

Food processing

Food quality coveralls shall be worn to protect against splashes from oils and fats. Butchery shall require the use of lamex or metal-mesh aprons if there is a risk of injury to the abdomen or chest, for example when using knives or choppers.

Chain sawing



Protective Legging

The special clothing described here shall be worn during chain sawing operations. The front of the leg is most vulnerable to accident although the back of the leg is also at risk. Protective legwear incorporates layers of loosely woven long synthetic (kevlar) fibres. On contact with the saw chain, the fibres are drawn out and clog the chain saw sprocket, causing the saw to stop. Legwear can be all round, which offers the greatest protection, or for the front of the legs only. Jackets with inserts of the same construction are also available.

In addition:

• in areas where fire resistant clothing (FRC) is mandatory, it is recommended not to wear inner garments or underwear made of synthetic materials because of the risk of melting and sticking to the skin,

• In areas with risk of a flammable atmosphere, it is recommended to select fire resistant clothing with anti-static properties.

Peronal protection which is worn on the body on top of other clothing is as follows:

High visibility items These may be jackets, trousers, waistcoats or tabards made

from PVC impregnated with fluorescent pigments. They shall be worn by people engaged in activities where it is important to be seen to be safe, e.g. roadworkers, helideck personnel and crane banksmen.

Lifejacket This is a personal flotation device which, when fully inflated (if inflatable), provides sufficient buoyancy to turn and support an unconcious person face upwards in the water with the mouth and nose well clear of the water.

Buoyancy aid This is also a personal flotation device and is generally referred to as a work vest. Worn to provide extra buoyancy to assist a concious person in keeping afloat, it will not turn over an unconcious person in the water from a face down position.





3.7.2 Use

General purpose coveralls shall be provided for and worn by all persons likely to be exposed to dirt, grease and oils in the normal course of their work. The use of coveralls is generally required during all construction, drilling, production, maintenance and services activities and may also be a requirement for visitors, at the discretion of individual Asset Holders. Note that at BLNG, areas for the compulsory wearing of different types of body protection are defined in a BLNG-specific HSE document. The use of fire retardant coveralls should be considered for those personnel working in hydrocarbon production areas. Please also refer to Policy of Mandatory of PPE. (http://sww-livelink.bsp.shell.bn/livelink/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=809240&objAction=Open).

The most common type of coverall is a garment made from cotton/polyester fabric and persons whose work exposes their forearms to dirt, grease and oils shall wear coveralls with long sleeves.

Wearing chemical protective clothing can impose limitations on the amount of time the worker can wear it and the level of activity he undertakes. These factors shall be taken into consideration during both the planning and the execution of this type of activity.

Any contamination should be washed or wiped off immediately where practicable but in any event on completion of the job or work day. Water or soap and water is usually adequate but a chemical solution may be required to remove specified contaminants. Any protective clothing which becomes contaminated with hydrocarbons or chemicals shall be removed immediately to minimise skin irritation and fire hazard. Clothing which is so

heavily contaminated that it cannot be properly cleaned shall be disposed of in accordance with HSE Standard Module 51 - Waste Handling Procedure http://sww-livelink.bsp.shell.bn/livelink/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=402010&objAction=Open.

During routine welding operations, welders shall wear coveralls or jackets and trousers made of heavy duty cotton material (denim). For certain types of operation, for example overhead positional welding and welding in positions where mobility is restricted, the use of protective clothing made of leather is recommended.

Personnel engaged in activities where they are exposed to the possibility of falling into water, e.g. scaffolders, abseilers, boat pilots, persons transferring between vessels and installations, etc., shall wear a flotation device while they carry out these activities. The type of flotation device required, i.e. lifejacket or buoyancy aid, is specified in the appropriate HSE Standard module.


All types of body protective clothing and equipment shall be maintained in good condition and checked regularly. It shall be repaired or discarded if damaged.

General purpose coveralls shall be regularly laundered to prevent irritation and the spread of skin infections. Coveralls which are damaged or torn shall be repaired or replaced.

Chemical suits shall be washed in warm water and a mild soap whenever they have come into contact with chemicals. Suits shall be hung up to dry before being stored in cases or hung on hangers. Chemical suits have a life expectancy of three to four years and shall be inspected and tested every three months, even if not in use. The inspection and testing shall include an air test with examination of all seams for leakage. Vapour suits shall be air tested, after use and cleaning, with the manufacturers test kit before being stored in a protective case. Where available and when necessary, the manufacturer’s testing and repair services shall be used.

All flotation devices shall be checked for integrity prior to issue and maintained for future use after return.



3.8 Foot Protection

Safety footwear protects against hazards ranging from dermatitis to crushing injuries. Within this broad range of hazards, consideration needs to be given to the possibility of contact with chemicals, extremes of heat, slippery surfaces, punctures from nails or other sharp objects, and electrical hazards both live and static. Safety footwear in general use in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES operations includes:

Boots and shoes These are the most common type of safety footwear and normally comprise rubber soles and leather uppers with integrated steel toecaps. They may also have features such as slip resistant soles and steel midsoles.

Wellington boots These protect against water and wet conditions and are useful in jobs where the footwear needs to be washed and disinfected for hygienic reasons, such as in food handling. Usually made from rubber, they are also made from polyurethane and PVC which have greater chemical resistance. Wellington boots are available with steel toecaps

and instep guards.

Oxford style safety Shoes Chukka / ¾ boots Lace up boots

Pull on / Texan style boots Firemen’s boots Wellington boots

3.8.1 Selection

Safety footwear shall be selected to conform with the standards listed in Section 4.

The selection of protective footwear depends primarily on the hazard(s) but comfort and durability shall also be considered. The choice shall therefore be made on the basis of

suitability for protection, compatibility with the work and the requirements of the user.

Generally, safety footwear shall be flexible, wet resistant and absorb perspiration. Boots shall be selected where ankle protection is required. The ability to resist corrosion, abrasion and industrial wear and tear shall also be considered. Manufacturer’s instructions and markings for appropriate use and level of protection shall always be observed.



Specific requirements for protective footwear are as follows:

Soles Boots and shoes shall have treaded soles for slip resistance. Soles must be heat and oil resistant, shock resistant, anti-static or non-conductive, as required for the work being carried out. Footwear intended to protect against oils, solvents or liquids shall have soles that are moulded or bonded to the upper. Footwear with steel midsoles shall be used where there is a risk of the sole being pierced by nails and similar objects. The soles of footwear used for abseiling work shall have a substantial instep to enable a firm footing when climbing.

Steel toecaps These shall be capable of resisting a heavy sharp object falling from a considerable height.

Burn protection Footwear made of leather shall be used to protect against burning by sparks and slag.

Waterproofing People working in places where it is wet underfoot shall wear safety footwear impervious to water. Rubber and PVC are suitable waterproof materials for footwear but are not permeable and prevent the escape of perspiration. For people whose work requires prolonged wearing of waterproof footwear, items made of ‘breathable’ material shall be considered.

Anti-static Anti-static footwear offers protection against the hazard of static electricity and gives some protection against mains electric shock. Anti-static foorwear shall be worn where there is both a hazard from static build up and the possibility of contact with mains electricity. The soles shall have a resistance low enough to allow static electricity to leak slowly away while maintaining enough resistance to protect against a 240 V mains electric shock.

3.8.2 Use

All personnel working in, or visiting, potentially hazardous areas such as process areas, construction sites, workshops, etc. shall wear safety footwear at all times while in the area. Note that at BLNG, areas for the compulsory wearing of protective footwear are defined in a BLNG-specific HSE document.

Personnel engaged in activities in which there is a risk of foot injury, for example chain sawing, grass trimmimg, kitchen washdown, etc., shall wear appropriate protective footwear.


Safety footwear shall be maintained in good condition, checked regularly and discarded if worn or deteriorated. Boot laces shall be checked and replaced if necessary. Materials lodged in the sole tread shall be removed without further damaging the tread. Stitching shall be checked for loose, worn or cut seams.

Protective silicone sprays or waxes may be used to give protection against wet conditions.

Chemically impregnated footwear shall be disposed of in accordance with HSE Standard Module 51 - Waste Handling Procedure http://sww-livelink.bsp.shell.bn/livelink/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objId=402010&objAction=Open.



3.9 Fall Protection Equipments (Full Body Harnesses and Lines)

Full body Safety Harnesses, Lanyards and Inertia Reels are commonly used items of safety equipment in the oil and gas, constructions workplace however it has become apparent that some personnel may not be fully aware of "best practice" to be employed with these basic but essential items.

The correct choice and deployment of appropriate safety equipment is an essential precaution when working at height, this is generally defined as working at 1.8 meters (6 feet) or more above the deck where total safety provision to prevent a fall can not be provided. When an individual may be exposed to a fall of 1.8 metres (6 feet) or more, the person shall use fall arrest equipment to reduce personal injury in the event of such a fall.

3.9.1 Use

When an individual is required to work at height where there is no fall protection i.e., without physical barriers or protection and exposed to a fall of 1.8 metres (6 feet) or more, the person shall use fall arrest equipment to reduce personal injury in the event of such a fall. There fall arrest equipment herewith is the use of a full body harness protection and 100% tie-off is required.

The fall arrest equipment consist of;

1. Safety Harnesses � The user must be trained and familiarised in the correct fitting and use of the

harness. � The harness must be inspected prior to use on each occasion - points to look

out for are cuts, abrasion and broken stitching and chemical contamination. If in any doubt, return the harness to the stores or rigging loft and request a replacement

� Harnesses should be stored in a clean dry location under the control of a competent person.

� Harnesses should be the full body type, CE marked and certified to EN 361. � Harnesses must always be used in conjunction with a shock absorbing

lanyard or inertial reel - but never with both. � Any harness which has been involved in a fall should be taken out of service

for inspection.

2. Lanyards � Constructed of rope or webbing and generally connected to the D ring on the

back of the harness. � Lanyards are available in varying lengths e.g. A SALA lanyard Type L175R is

1.75 meters long and a Type 125R is 1.25 meters long. (max allowable total length is 2 meters)

� It is important that lanyards are clearly marked as to their length - if the marking is hard to read, re-mark it.

� When lanyards are used to secure to a fixed point, they must incorporate a shock absorbing pouch (see footnote)- this consists of additional webbing in a small pouch which progressively tears open in the event of a fall.

� The shock absorber1 component of the lanyard consists of an additional 1.5 meters of webbing. Therefore a lanyard Type L175 R with shock absorber will have a total length of 1.75 meters plus 1.5 meters giving a total of 3.25

meters. Further, a fall by a heavy person could potentially extend this total length to 4 meters.

� It is therefore self evident that for a harness and lanyard to function correctly, it is ssential that there is adequate ground clearance beneath the secure fixing point of the lanyard to prevent injury in the event of a fall

� Anchorage points should be as high up as practicable to reduce the potential fall distance.

� Anchorage points should, where ever practicable, be located vertically above the worksite to reduce the tendency to swing in the event of a fall.

1 For drilling activity, Shock absorber devices are not required to be used where derrickmen on drilling rigs are

working on the monkey board and stabbing board.



3. Inertia Reels � Inertia reels are extremely useful items of safety equipment as they allow

greater freedom of movement than a lanyard on its own but will arrest a fall within 0.3m.

� Should be stored in the Rigging Loft/Stores and be subjected to regular inspection by a Competent Person e.g. recorded inspection at something like 3 monthly intervals - or more frequently if environmental working conditions require.

� Must not be used in combination with a shock absorbing lanyard. � Are generally attached directly onto the D ring of the harness however it is

also cceptable to include a short webbing lanyard (max length 500mm) to facilitate connection and disconnection from the rear D ring.

� Should be checked for operability before use on each occasion. � Many inertia reels have a coloured indicator mechanism which will show if the

equipment has been subjected to shock loading such as a fall. If the indicator has been activated, the inertia reel must not be used, but returned to the beach for servicing.

� Inertia reels must be returned to the beach for servicing no later than 12 months from the last certificate.

Note: Inertia reels which are fitted with a rescue winch mechanism fall into the LOLER

regulations (as lifting equipment) and should be included in the 6 monthly thorough examination process.

4. Anchorage Point � It is most important to confirm that the proposed secure anchorage is indeed

secure and capable of accepting a shock loading prior to securing to it. � When using a karabiner to secure to the anchorage point, the karabiner must

be of the secure locking type i.e. screwgate or twistlock to avoid any potential for "rollout".



3.9.2 Selection

Double Lanyard

Fall arrest equipment shall comprise three (3) components which shall be of approved manufacture and carry labels showing year of manufacture. The components are:

a) full body harness;

b) shock absorbing lanyard, or other approved equipment;

c) connecting hook.

Types of Harness

Fall arrest equipment requires a full body harness. Such a harness incorporates buttock straps designed to absorb the forces on a falling person. The harness is required to be used in conjunction with shock absorbing equipment.

Waist belts and chest harnesses shall be used only for work positioning purposes, i.e. used to prevent a person reaching a position where the risk of a fall exists. Waist belts and chest harnesses shall not be used as fall arrest equipment.

Types of Shock Absorbing Equipment

a) A lanyard from the harness incorporating a shock absorbing or breakout device must be attached to a secure anchor point. The length of such a lanyard shall not exceed 2 metres including any connecting hooks.

b) Shock absorbing equipment of the dynamic type (e.g. inertia reel devices) must be directly attached to the body harness, the other end being secured to a suitable anchor point. For convenience, a short lanyard of up to 400mm in length may be utilised between the harness attachment point and the hook of the inertia reel device.

Note 1: A lanyard of the type described in

a) may not be used together with shock absorbing equipment of the dynamic type described in

b) The forces imposed on the body of a person by the equipment during the fall arrest process may, in certain circumstances, exceed safe limits if the person is using both these items of equipment.

Note 2: Shock Absorbing Lanyard

Some lanyards of the shock absorbing type are constructed of so-called “bungee” rubber. Short 400mm lanyards of this type are not suitable for use in conjunction with an inertia reel device. The rebound effect caused by stressing the rubber lanyard may disengage the locking pawl of the inertia reel, allowing second phase falling of the person.

Note 3: Connecting Hook

The connecting hook or shackle used in conjunction with the fall arrest equipment shall be of an automatic locking or double action type.



3.9.3 Inspection and Maintenance

Harnesses, restraining lines and ancillary equipment should be cleaned and examined regularly, the frequency depending on conditions in which the equipment is used. Manufacturers advice recommended regime should be followed. The equipment should be checked for damage before each occasion on which it is to be used and more thoroughly at regular intervals. An inspection frequency based on a 3 month cycle is recommended unless otherwise recommended by Manufacturer.

• the lanyards to be inspected (including their unique identification);

• the frequency and type of inspection (pre-use checks, detailed inspection and, where appropriate, interim inspection);

• designated competent persons to carry out the inspections;

• action to be taken on finding defective lanyards;

• means of recording the inspections;

• training of users; and

• a means of monitoring the inspection regime to verify inspections are carried out

• accordingly.

Lanyards should be subject to:

• pre-use checks;

• detailed inspections; and

• (as appropriate) interim inspections;

These should be carried out by competent persons, to identify defects or damage that may affect safety.

Pre-use checks These checks are essential and should be carried out each time, before the lanyard is used. Pre-use checks should be tactile and visual. The whole lanyard should be subject to the check, by passing it slowly through the hands (eg to detect small cuts of 1 mm in the edges, softening or hardening of fibres, ingress of contaminants). A visual check should be undertaken in

good light and will normally take a few minutes. Detailed inspections These more formal, in-depth inspections should be carried out periodically at minimum intervals specified in the manufacturer’s inspection regime. It is recommended that there is a detailed inspection at least every six months. For frequently used lanyards it is suggested that this is increased to at least every three months, particularly when the equipment is used in arduous environments (eg demolition, steel erection, scaffolding, steel skeletal masts/towers with edges and protrusions). Detailed inspections should be recorded. Interim inspections These are also in-depth inspections and may be appropriate in addition to pre-use checks and detailed inspections. Interim inspections may be needed between detailed inspections because the employer’s risk assessment has identified a risk that could result in significant deterioration, affecting the safety of the lanyard before the next detailed inspection is due. The need for and frequency of interim inspections will depend on use. Examples of situations where they may be appropriate include:

• risks from transient arduous working environments involving paints, chemicals or grit blasting operations; or

• acidic or alkaline environments if the type of fabric the lanyard is

made from cannot be determined (some fabrics offer low resistance to acids or alkalis).

• The results of interim inspections should be recorded.



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C H A P T E R 4 . 0 R E F E R E N C E S

Shell Group Documents

Personal Protective Equipment Guide – Shell Safety And Health Committee, June 1989

Brunei Shell Companies Documents

HSE Standard Modules:

Module 06 - Scaffolding and Access �

Module 07 - Confined Spaces �

Module 28 - Safety Signs and Colour Codes �

Module 29 - Travelling and Working Offshore �

Module 40 - Occupational Health �

Module 51 - Waste Handling Procedure �

Module 52 - Storage and Handling of Chemicals Procedure �

British Standards

These are the standards which are referred to at the beginning of each sub-section on Selection.

To ensure consistent performance, personal protective equipment must be manufactured to meet the requirements of certain standards. Many countries set their own standards, for example British Standards (BS), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Australian Standards (AS), and items of equipment are usually manufactured to meet national standards

in their country of origin.

To list all acceptable and applicable worldwide standards for personal protective equipment would require many pages of information. Since most equipment used in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES is selected to meet British Standards, only these standards are listed, on the following pages. There are three categories:

BS British Standards, applicable on a national basis

BS EN British Standards also meeting European standards requirements

prEN British/European Standard which is a (pr)obable replacement for an existing one.

If needed, further information on equivalency and acceptability may be obtained from HSE/4 section for BSP or HSEQ/2 section for BLNG.

UK Health and Safety Executive

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992: Guidance on Regulations (L25)

Respiratory protective equipment - A practical guide for users (booklet HS(G)53)

Code of Practice for reducing the exposure of employed persons to Noise



NFPA Standards

NFPA 2112 - Flame resistant garment Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2007

NFPA 70E – Protection from Arc Flash Standard. This standard addresses electrical safety requirements for employee workplaces that are necessary for the practical safeguarding of employees during activities such as the installation, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and industrial substations; Installations of conductors and equipment that connect to the supply of electricity (4) Installations used by the electric utility, such as office buildings, warehouses, garages, machine shops, and recreational buildings, that are not an integral part of a generating plant, substation, or control center (B) Not Covered.

Referenced to: 1. Table 130.7(C)(8)- add “Flame Resistant” between “for” and “Textile” in the row for Apparel

2. Annex A- Title of ASTM F1506 - add “Flame Resistant” between “for” and “Textile”.



Applicable Standard Codes:

Number Title

HEAD PROTECTION STANDARDS

BS 3864:1989 Specification for protective helmets for firefighters

BS EN 812/A1:2003 Specification for industrial scalp protectors BS EN 397/A1:2003 Part 1 Industrial safety helmets specification for construction and

performance

EYE and FACE PROTECTION STANDARDS

BS 1542:1982 Specification for equipment for eye, face and neck protection against non-ionising radiation arising during welding and similar operations

BS EN 165:1995 Glossary of terms for personal eye protection BS 7028:1988 Guide for selection, use and maintenance of eye protection for industrial

and other uses BS EN 169 Personal eye protection: Filters for welding and related techniques

BS EN 170 Personal eye protection: Ultraviolet filters BS EN 171:2002 Personal eye protection: Infrared filters

BS EN 165 Personal eye protection: Vocabulary

BS EN 166: 2001 Personal eye protection: Specifications

HEARING PROTECTION STANDARDS

BS EN 352 Hearing protectors safety requirements and testing

Part 1 Ear muffs

Part 2 Ear plugs

BS EN 458 Hearing protectors: recommendations for selection, use, care and maintenance - guidance document

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARDS

BS EN 132 Respiratory protective devices - definitions

BS EN 133 Respiratory protective devices - classification

BS EN 134 Respiratory protective devices - nomenclature of components BS EN 135 Respiratory protective devices - list of equivalent terms

BS EN 136 Parts for full face masks for respiratory protective devices, Part 10 Specification for full face masks for special use

BS EN 137 Specification for respiratory protective devices - self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus

BS EN 139 Respiratory protective devices - compressed air line breathing apparatus for use with full face mask, half mask or mouthpiece assembly - requirements, testing, marking

BS EN 141 Specification for gas filters and combined filters used in respiratory protective equipment

BS EN 143 Specification for particle filters used in respiratory protective devices BS EN 12941 Respiratory protective devices - specification for powered particle filtering

devices incorporating helmets or hoods BS EN 12942/A1 Respiratory protective devices - specification for power assisted particle

filtering devices incorporating full face masks, half- masks or quarter masks

BS EN 149 Specification for filtering half masks to protect against particles BS EN 400 Respiratory protective devices for self-rescue - self-contained closed-circuit

breathing apparatus - compressed oxygen escape apparatus - requirement, testing, marking

BS EN 402 Specification for respiratory protective devices for escape - self-contained

open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus with full face mask or mouthpiece assembly

BS EN 403 Specification for filtering respiratory protective devices with hood for self-rescue from fire

BS EN 404 Respiratory protective devices for self-rescue - filter self-rescuer

BS 4275:1974 Recommendations for the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

BS EN 1146: 2003 - 2003 -

Specification for breathing apparatus Part 4 Open-circuit escape breathing apparatus Part 5 Closed-circuit escape breathing apparatus

Refer breathing

apparatus



BS 7309:1990 Specification for mouthpiece assemblies for respiratory protective devices BS 7355:1990 Specification for full face masks for respiratory protective devices BS 7356:1990 Specification for half masks and quarter masks for respiratory protective

devices

HAND PROTECTION STANDARDS

General

BS EN 420 General requirements for gloves (size, dexterity and marking requirments)

BS EN 388 Gloves providing protection against Mechnical Hazards (abrasion, blade cut, tear, puncture resistance excluding moving machinery)

BS EN 421 Protective gloves against ionising radiation to include irradiation and contamination

BS EN 381 Parts 7 – Protective clothing for users of Chain Saws: Part 7 Requirements for Chainsaw Protective Gloves

BS EN 511 Protective gloves against cold

Firemen / welders BS EN 659 Fire-fighters gloves: Protection against heat and flame

BS EN 12477 Protective Gloves for Welders

BS EN 407 Protective gloves against thermal risks (Heat and/or Fire)

Medical / Laboratory BS EN 455 Medical Gloves for Single use BS EN 374 Parts 1 to 3 – Gloves providing protection against chemicals and micro-

organisms are rated 374 followed by a letter, the letter indicates the type of chemical/micro organism the glove will protect against (as listed in 374-1)

Electrical BS EN 60903 Live working gloves of insulating material

Catering

BODY PROTECTION STANDARDS

Coveralls

BS 1547:1959 Specification for flameproof industrial clothing (materials and design)

BS 1771:1984 Part 2 Specification for fabrics of cellulosic fibres, synthetic fibres and blends

BS EN 470-1/A1:2003 Specification for protective clothing for welders

BS 3791:1970 Specification for clothing for protection against intense heat for short periods

BS EN 510: 2003 Specification for workwear and career wear

BS EN 340 General requirements for protective clothing BS EN 381-11: 2002 Parts 1 to 6 Protective clothing for users of hand held chain saws

BS EN 510 Protective clothing against the risk of being caught up in moving parts

BS EN 471 High visibility warning clothing

Chemical Protection prEN 465 Protective clothing: protection against liquid chemicals: performance

requirements: type 4 equipment: protective suits with spray-tight connections between different parts of the protective suit

BS EN 466 Chemical protective clothing: protection against liquid chemicals

(including liquid aerosols): performance requirements: type 3 equipment: chemical protective clothing with liquid-tight connections between different parts of the clothing

prEN 467 Protective clothing: protection against liquid chemicals: performance

requirements: type 5 equipment garments providing chemical protection to parts of the body

Firemen Clothing

BS EN 469 Protective clothing for fire-fighters BS EN 470 Protective clothing for use in welding and similar activities

Life Jacket / Work- vest

BS EN 367: 2003 Specification for life-jackets



prEN 343 Protective clothing against foul weather BS EN 393 Life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids: buoyancy aids, 50N BS EN 394 Life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids: additional items

prEN 395 Life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids: life-jackets, 100 N

BS EN 396 Life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids: life-jackets, 150 N

BS EN 399 Life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids: life-jackets, 275 N

FOOT PROTECTION

BS EN 345/A1:2003

2003 2003

Part 1 Specification for safety footwear other than all rubber and all plastic moulded compounds Part 2 Specification for lined rubber safety boots Part 3 Specification for PVC moulded safety footwear

BS 2723:1988 Specification for fireman’s leather boots

BS 5145:1989 Specification for lined industrial vulcanised rubber boots

BS EN 347:2003 Part 1 Specification for lined vulcanised rubber footwear with penetration resistant midsoles

BS 6159:1987 Part 2 Specification for lined or unlined polyvinyl chloride (PVC) footwear with penetration resistant midsoles

BS EN 345 Part 1 Specification for general and industrial lined and unlined PVC boots

BS EN ISO 20345:2004 Specification for safety footwear for professional use BS EN 346 Specification for protective footwear for professional use BS EN 347 Specification for occupational footwear for professional use

FULL BODY HARNESSES/LIFELINES

BS EN 354 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - lanyards

BS EN 355 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - energy absorbers

BS EN 361 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - full body harness

BS EN 362 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - connectors

BS EN 363 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - fall arrest

systems BS EN 365 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - general

requirements for instructions for use and for marking



Appendix 1 - Nominal Protection Factors for RPE

The table below gives guidance for respiratory protection devices and their Nominal Protection Factors (NPFs). These factors are sometimes referred to on SHOC cards and when this is the case, RPE should be selected to match as closely as possible the NPF quoted. It is counter productive and incurs unecessary expense to select RPE of a higher NPF just to be “on the safe side”.

NOMINAL PROTECTION FACTORS

TYPE OF EQUIPMENT NOMINAL PROTECTION FACTOR

General purpose dust respirators 7 to 10

Positive pressure, powered dust respirators 20 to 500v

Positive pressure, powered dust hoods and blouses 20 to 500

High efficiency dust respirators 1000

Cartridge type gas respirators 20 (gas only)

Canister type gas respirators 400 (gas only)

Compressed air line Breathing Apparatus 2000

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 2000

Nominal Protection Factor = Concentration of contaminant in atmosphere

Concentration of contaminant in facepiece



Appendix 2 - Breathing Air Quality Requirements

Specifications of breathing air quality for use in self-contained or air-supplied breathing equipment for use in non-hyperbaric situations:

Specification Limits

Oxygen content % volume, maximum. 25%

Oxygen content % volume, minimum. 20%

Condensed hydrocarbon (oil mist) maximum. 0.5 mg/m3

Carbon dioxide, maximum. 900 mg/m3

Carbon monoxide, maximum. 5.5 mg/m3

Water (present as liquid). Nil

Odour and cleanliness are difficult to check accurately without special equipment. A qualitative check may be made by smelling the delivered air and by noting any discolouration

or wetness when the air is passed gently through a filter paper or tissue. Adsorbent filters of activated charcoal may be necessary to remove odours.

There are test kits available from the manufacturers of breathing air compession equipment to check the quality of the air supplied by this equipment.



Appendix 3 - Guide to Selection of Filters for Filter Respirators

Two types of filter may be used in filter respirators with replaceable filter elements/cartridges. They may also be used in combination to form a third type and the three types are:

• Gas filters which remove specified gases and vapours

• Particle filters which remove airborne solid and/or liquid particles

• Combined filters which remove solid and/or liquid particles, and specified gases and

vapours

All types of filter are classified with a code letter, a number and a colour code. The code letter and colour code are constant for protection against different substances, the numbers are variable and are used to indicate the level of protection given (class 3 gives the highest level of protection, class 1 the lowest).

The table below shows the types, classes and colour codes, with typical applications at low levels of concentration. Note that high levels of concentration will require the use of breathing apparatus. For advice on specific gases, vapours and airborne particle protection at varying concentrations, contact HML/8 or LPS/2 as appropriate.

Type of

Filter

Filter Type and

Class

Colour Code Typical Applications

P1 white Building dust (cement, plaster)

P2 sulphuric acid, zinc oxide

Part

icle

P3 white asbestos, cadmium oxide, paraquat (weedkiller),

fluoride, zinc chromate

A brown benzene, glycol, solvents, tetrachloromethane,

tetraethyl lead, toluene and xylene (paint additives)

B grey chlorine, ethyl mercaptans, hydrochloric acid,

hydrogen sulphide, methyl isocyanate

E yellow sulphur dioxide, hydrochloric acid Ga

s a

nd

Vapo

ur

K green Ammonia

A-P2 Brown white oil mists and vapours, dichlorobenzene,

naphthalene

A-P3 Brown white lindane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phenol

Com

bin

ed

Hg-P3 Red white mercury compounds

Note: colour codes shown meet BS EN requirements. American products to NIOSH standards may be different.