Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Definitions

Personal protective equipment (PPE)-Apparel and devices worn to protect the body from contact with pesticides or pesticide residues include:

• Coveralls
• Chemical-resistant suits, gloves, footwear, aprons, and headgear
• Protective eyewear
• Respirators

While the following attire is not defined as PPE, the labeling might require pesticide handlers or early-entry workers to wear it for some tasks:

• Long- sleeved shirts
• Long pants
• Shoes and socks
• Other items of regular work clothing

If such non-PPE attire is required, the employer must make sure that it is worn.

Chemical-resistant-Allows no measurable amount of the pesticide to move through the material during use.

Waterproof-Allows no measurable movement of water (or water-based solutions) through the material during use.

Chemical-resistant suit-A loosely fitting one- or two-piece chemical-resistant garment that covers, at a minimum, the entire body except for the head, hands, and feet.

Coverall-A loosely fitting one- or two-piece garment that covers, at a minimum, the entire body except the head, hands, and feet. Coveralls are made of fabric, such as cotton or a cotton-polyester blend, and are not chemical resistant. The pesticide label-ing might specify that the coveralls be worn over a layer of clothing. (Allowable substitution: A chemical-resistant suit can be worn instead of coveralls and any required inner layer of clothing.)

Chemical-resistant apron-One made of chemical-resistant material, covering the front of the body from mid-chest to knees. (Allow-able substitution: if a chemical-resistant suit is worn, no apron is required.)

Gloves-Hand coverings of the type listed on the pesticide label. Gloves or glove linings made of leather, cotton, or other absorbent materials cannot be worn for handling or early-entry activities unless these materials are listed on the pesticide labeling as accept-able for such use. (Allowable substitution: Leather gloves may be worn over chemical-resistant liners for tasks with sharp-thorned plants. After leather gloves have been worn for such work, however, they may be worn only with chemical-resistant liners and may not be worn for any other use.

Chemical-resistant footwear-Chemical-resistant shoes, boots, or shoe coverings worn over shoes or boots. (Allowable substitu-tion: Leather boots may be worn in rough terrain if chemical-resistant footwear with appropriate durability and tread is unavailable.)

Protective eyewear-Goggles, face shield, or safety glasses with front, brow, and temple protection. (Allowable substitution: A full-face respirator.)

Chemical-resistant headgear-A chemical-resistant hood or hat with a wide brim.

Minimum Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
and Work Clothing for Handling Activities

Toxicity category of end-use product
Route of Exposure	I (Danger)	II (Warning)	III (Caution)	IV (Caution)
Dermal toxicity or skin irritation potential1	Coveralls worn over long-sleeve shirt and long pants Socks Chemical-resistant footwear Chemical-resistant gloves	Coveralls worn over short-sleeve shirt and short pants Socks Chemical-resistant footwear Chemical-resistant gloves	Long-sleeve shirt and long pants Socks Shoes Chemical-resistant gloves	Long-sleeve shirt and long pants Socks Shoes No minimum2
Inhalation toxicity	Respiratory protection device	Respiration protection device
Eye irritation potential	Protective eyewear	Protective eyewear
1If dermal toxicity and skin irritation potential are in different toxicity categories, protection shall be based on the more toxic (lower numbered) category.

The following table lists EPA chemical resistance categories for selected personal protective materials of gloves (Oregon OSHA: http://www.orosha.org/publications/pesticidepubs.html)

Chemical Resistance Categories for Selected Personal Protective Materials
Selection category listed on pesticide label	Type of personal protective material
	Barrier laminate	Butyl rubber > 14 mils	Nitrile rubber >14 mils	Neoprene rubber >14 mils	Natural rubber >14 mils	Polyethylene	Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) > 14 mils	Viton > 14 mils
A (dry and water-based)	High	High	High	High	High	High	High	High
B	High	High	Slight	Slight	None	Slight	Slight	Slight
C	High	High	High	High	Moderate	Moderate	High	High
D	High	High	Moderate	Moderate	None	None	None	Slight
E	High	Slight	High	High	Slight	None	Moderate	High
F	High	High	High	Moderate	Slight	None	Slight	High
G	High	Slight	Slight	Slight	None	None	None	High
H	High	Slight	Slight	Slight	None	None	None	High