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.
