Which Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) You Should Use and When

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used in biohazard clean-up processes in order to prevent the contagion of any illness or the occurrence of injury.

Donning the right type of PPE is rudimentary as a large part of biohazard clean-up processes are done by humans, who are equally vulnerable in getting infected or injured during/after the process. Whether it is a clean-up professional or a layman who handles the biohazard situation before the professionals’ arrive, using the right type of PPE is a MUST.

PPE can range from hard hats to face mask to body suits to protective footwear. It is essential to know which PPE to use and when.

Head Protection

The preferred and trusted choice for head protection is a hard hat. It shields the human head from getting injured by any collapsing or falling objects. It also reduces electrical shock exposures or burns to the head. In biohazard clean-up, hard hats can be of tremendous help during fire damage restoration.

Face Protection

A face shield is used to protect the face from any debris, flying particles, dust, radiation, vapours, chemical splashes, flames and potentially infectious bodily fluids. The face shield is used in conjunction with goggles, which serves the same purpose for the eyes. Respiratory protection should also be used in order to prevent inhalation of harmful chemicals and substances.

Face protection is a must in most of biohazard clean-ups, especially, meth lab cleaning, fire damage restoration and mould clean-up.

Hand Protection

Gloves must be used to prevent infection from bodily fluids, harmful substances, chemical burns, electrical shocks, abrasions, cuts, gashes, punctures, fractures and amputations. Elbow-length gloves or finger guards must be used if the need arises. One must select the correct variety of gloves to be used, depending on the nature of the situation. The types of gloves available are synthetic gloves, leather gloves, mesh gloves, canvas gloves, aramid fibre gloves and aluminised gloves. It is important to note that once used, gloves must be disposed. Using second-hand gloves is as good as handling the biohazard with bare hands. Hand protection is of a primary importance in handling biohazard clean-up, involving blood and other bodily fluids.

Body Protection

Body suits or vests should be used to protect the body from exposure to blood, blood borne pathogens and accidents. These protective coveralls are also used in various clean-up processes, especially in Dry Ice Blasting. 

Contact Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd for Bio Hazard Cleaning services.