Insulate Magazine Issue 11

www.insulatenetwork.com
Similarly, you need to know for how long workers
will be exposed to the potential chemical
hazards. Some may only come into contact with
these chemicals occasionally, while others may
work with them throughout their entire shift.
When dealing with liquid chemical hazards, you
should also consider the coverall’s permeation,
penetration and repellence levels. Manufacturers
should be able to provide this information and
other data regarding their product’s performance
when protecting against specific substances.
Once you have gathered all this information, you
can use it to identify what level of protection you
require.
When these substances
come into contact with
the skin, they can cause
burns, rashes and
related conditions,
including dermatitis.
The level of protection provided by a protective
coverall is denoted by the ‘Type’ test they have
undergone. The Type tests are: gas protection
(Type 1), non-gas protection (Type 2), liquid jet
protection (Type 3), liquid spray protection (Type
4), particulate protection (Type 5) and limited
liquid splash (Type 6).
Suitable
Once you have narrowed down your selection of
coveralls to those that are adequate, you must
identify those that are also suitable for the
individual and their working activity.
When it comes to protective coveralls and
suitability, one of the main things to consider is
the thermal comfort of the user. Protective coveralls
that are more breathable will be cooler and
therefore more comfortable. This is important
because employees who find their coveralls comfortable
are more likely to wear them correctly.
Those who don’t are less likely to comply with
PPE requirements by, for example, removing the
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