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 labeling 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. (Allowable 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 acceptable 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 substitution: 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 |
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|
Route of Exposure |
I (Danger) |
II (Warning) |
III (Caution) |
IV (Caution) |
|
Dermal toxicity or skin irritation potential1 |
Coveralls worn over short-sleeve shirt and short pants |
Coveralls worn over short-sleeve shirt and short pants |
Long-sleeve shirt and long pants |
Long-sleeve shirt and long pants |
|
Inhalation toxicity |
Respiratory protection device |
Respiration protection device |
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|
Eye irritation potential |
Protective eyewear |
Protective eyewear |
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1If dermal toxicity and skin irritation potential are in different toxicity categories, protection shall be based on the more toxic (lower numbered) category. |
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The following table lists EPA chemical resistance categories for selected personal protective materials of gloves (Oregon OSHA: http://www.orosha.org/publications/pesticidepubs.html)
|
Selection category listed on pesticide label |
Type of personal protective material |
|||||||
|
Barrier laminate |
Butyl |
Nitrile |
Neoprene |
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 |