Module 5: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and

Decontamination

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Objective

Upon the successful completion of this module, participants will be able to select the appropriate PPE for use in incidents related to biodiesel production. Participants will also be able to effectively conduct decontamination efforts on PPE after an incident.

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Introduction

Need to be aware of need for PPE Sometimes structural fire fighting

gear will serve needs Other times will need to don CPC

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Selection of PPE based on hazard to responders

All responders must at least be trained to operations level of NFPA 472

Important to define agency’s mission & identify potential hazards through preplanning facilities in jurisdiction

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Purpose of PPE Normal PPE for responders:

– SFPC with SCBA To provide intended level of

protection, SFPC must be:– Well-fitting– Regularly cleaned & maintained– Donned & worn appropriately

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Structural Firefighter Protective Clothing (SFPC)

Designed to provide limited thermal protection & protection from toxic by-products of combustion

Not designed to withstand contact

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Structural Firefighter Protective Clothing (SFPC)

No layers / components SFPC designed to protect against chemicals

Quick “in-and-out” operation Limitations of SFPC

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Respiratory Protection

Inhalation major route of chemical exposure

2 types of respirators:– SCBA– SAR

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Appropriate PPE Selection Planning Tip

Determine action level of flammable concern

If temperature of material & / or surface is greater than final calculation, choose PPE with thermal protection

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Flash Point of the Material - Material Temperature = XX ÷ 2 = Y

Y + Material Temperature = Action Level of Flammability Concern

Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Effective PPE inspection program should include 5 different inspections

Conduct SCBA inspections mandated by law

Damaged / Deteriorated PPE assessed for either replacement / repair

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Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CPC:– Arrive at incident without necessary

level of protection: Work toward controlling incident until

appropriate protective clothing arrives on scene

– 4 levels– Purpose

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Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CPC:– Level A protection:

Highest level of respiratory & skin protection

NFPA 1991 Indicators for use of

Level A protection Level A advantages Level A limitations

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Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CPC:– Level B protection:

Same respiratory protection as Level A but less skin protection

Never use when possibility of contact with dangerous vapor / gas

NFPA 1992 Indicators for use of Level B

protection

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Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CPC:– Level C protection:

NFPA 1992 EPA versus NFPA

requirements Indicators for use of

Level C protection

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Copyright 2008, TEEX/ESTI

Inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CPC:– Level D protection:

EPA & NFPA guidelines address normal workplace protections

More commonly used in industrial operations than fire service

No NFPA standard Features of Level D protection Indicators of Level D protection

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Emergency Decontamination Procedures

Physically remove contaminants Neutralize / Dilute contaminants Remove contaminants by

combination of both physical & chemical means

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Emergency Decontamination Procedures

Decontamination strategies:– Need to be applicable to wide variety of

environments– Should be modifiable during inclement

weather SOPs & alternatives should be

developed & practiced

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Emergency Decontamination Procedures

Emergency showers where corrosive materials are

Secondary contamination:– Contaminated clothing placed in plastic

bags for further decontamination & disposal

– Decontamination staging area set up away from scene

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Emergency Decontamination Procedures

Decontamination guidelines:– Outer, more heavily contaminated items

be decontaminated & removed first– Decontamination & removal of inner,

less contaminated items next– All equipment must be decontaminated– Important things to remember

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Activity 5.1 — Selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Purpose:– To enable participants to demonstrate

their understanding of the need for CPC at biodiesel incidents.

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Summary

Biodiesel is generally considered nontoxic, ingredients for making it extremely toxic

Firefighters usually arrive on scene with only bunker gear for protection

Need to have idea of what kinds of CPC to don

ERG is useful tool for determining level of need

Effective decontamination required following toxic incident

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