Disaster Site Worker Safety

1
Disaster Site Worker Safety

• Module 3 Personal Protective Equipment

2
Objectives

• Describe Level C components.
• Properly don Level C protective clothing and
  respiratory protection.
• Identify factors to consider while working in
  Level C.
• Discuss challenges and techniques for
  communication while working in Level C PPE.
• Identify the physiological and psychological
  stressors that can affect users of all Levels of
  PPE.
• Describe specific conditions that determine PPE
  level selections.

3
Worker Protection AgainstCBRNE Agents

• PPE for use against CBRNE agents consists of
  respiratory and dermal protection. The level of
  protection that is required will depend upon
• The specific agent.
• The conditions under which the equipment is worn.
• The activities and exposure level of the
  personnel.

4
Respiratory Protection

• Air-Purifying Respirator
• Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

5
Level C Components

• Suit
• Chemical-resistant clothing
• One-piece coverall
• Hooded two-piece chemical splash suit,
  chemical-resistant hood and apron, or disposal
  chemical-resistant coveralls
• Gloves
• Inner/outer

6
Level C Components (continued)

• Boots
• Steel shank and toe, chemical-resistant
• Tape
• Chemical-resistant tape (Chem-Tape)
• Air-Purifying Respirator

7
Level C (continued)

• Optional items
• Protective inserts (as needed)
• Cloth coveralls
• Radio
• Hard hat
• Escape mask

8
Air-Purifying Respirators

• Air-purifying respirator (APR)
• Filter(s)
• Powered air-purifying respirator
• Qualitative and quantitative fit testing

9
Level D

• No danger of chemical exposure exists.
• This is considered your normal daily work attire.
  The following constitute Level D equipment
• Coveralls.
• Gloves (as needed).
• Boots/shoes, chemical-resistant steel toe and
  shank.
• Boots, outer, chemical-resistant (disposable) (as
  needed).
• Safety glasses or chemical splash goggles (as
  needed).
• Hard hat (as needed).
• Escape mask (as needed).
• Face shield (as needed).

10
Safety and Mission Duration

• Physiological stressors
• Heat stress
• Work rate
• Ambient temperature
• Physical condition of the worker
• Psychological stressors
• Working in an unknown environment
• Working in PPE
• Acute traumatic stress
• Casualties and fatalities
• Terrorist act itself

11
PPE Summary

• Must have completed OSHA training for the PPE
  that will be used.
• Only use PPE that is NIOSH certified.
• Always use PPE within its standard protection
  limits.
• Take steps to reduce PPE heat stress.