While the standard does require employers to provide protective equipment for employees, it remains vague on what is considered to be “appropriate” PPE and how to determine “appropriateness” in the selection process. Even hazard-specific standards like 29 CFR 1910.1001, OSHA’s General Industry Asbestos Standard and 29 CFR 1910.1025, OSHA’s General Industry Lead Standard, while attempting to provide direction specific to those two hazardous materials, still only call for the employer to provide “appropriate” protective work clothing, “such as, but not limited to: Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing.”

Appropriateness, therefore, is left for the employer to decide, creating uncertainty at best and, at worst, opening the employer up to potential OSHA citations. With this in mind, there are several things employers can do to avoid issues and provide the “appropriate” protective equipment for employees.

Identifying and understanding all the potential hazards to which a worker may be exposed is the first step. What hazardous substances are present in the workplace? Are the hazardous substances particulates, liquids, gases or a combination? Is the route of potential exposure respiratory, dermal, ingestion or a combination? What is the frequency and duration of exposure?

Answering these questions will help to identify the process controls and work practice changes that need to be made to eliminate or minimize the hazards.

Answers to these questions also will help to determine if there is anything specific to the worker task(s) that will require protective apparel. Knowledge of the hazardous material will direct the employer to the appropriate OSHA standard for the hazardous material, as covered under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z.

In general, the nature of the hazard will guide the employer to the appropriate clothing. Again, it is up to the employer to determine which fabrics and/or garments will provide protection against the hazards found in their workplace. OSHA does not, as some employers erroneously believe, certify protective apparel for specific applications, nor does it provide test methods or criteria against which employers can measure the appropriateness of a particular fabric construction or garment.

However, there are several fabric/garment performance attributes and related tests that can help employers make an informed decision. Fabric and garment manufacturers should have data on these and other performance attributes readily available:

• Penetration and permeation data – Penetration (the flow of bulk liquid through a material, or through seams or closures) is measured using ASTM F903, a standard test method that visually determines material barrier performance against liquid chemicals under conditions of continuous contact. Permeation (the process by which a chemical moves through protective clothing on a molecular level) is measured by ASTM F739, which tests the resistance of protective clothing materials to permeation by liquid or gaseous chemicals under conditions of continuous contact.

• Durability testing – ASTM D5034 tests the force required to break or damage fabric INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry) IST 100.2 measures the force required to tear fabric. And ISO 13938-1 measures the strength of fabric to hydraulic pressure. Results of these tests will provide the data employers need to determine the durability of the garment.

• Breathability – This property is crucial to the comfort the garment affords. ASTM D737 measures the rate and volume of air flow through a fabric, while ASTM E96 determines the water vapor movement (i.e., sweat) through the fabric. Good performance in these tests means less chance of heat stress and a more comfortable and productive worker.

• Dry Particulate hold-out – While there is currently no industry-standardized test for particulate hold-out, all major fabric and garment suppliers should have data measuring a variety of different size particulates that can pass through the fabric/garment. Look for how much barrier is provided against particulates of a specific size in relationship to the size of the hazardous particles in your environment.

In addition to fabric performance, much of what constitutes “appropriate” apparel may be found in the garment’s design and construction. Sizing and cut are critical. If the garment doesn’t fit, the apparel itself may expose the wearer to a hazard due to rip-outs or users modifying the garment to be more comfortable (i.e., not zipping up properly, ripping out air holes, etc.). Look for a generous cut (one that exceeds ANSI minimum sizing standards), especially across the shoulders and key stress areas like knees and crotch. A fuller cut will help to enhance the comfort of the garment and will help reduce pulls, tears and rip-outs.

Other apparel design features that help to make for a more comfortable, wearable garment include an elastic waist, which can act as a belt for a better fit and a concealed zipper, which offers added strike-through protection.

Seam construction is another important garment design factor to consider. Seams on a garment are as important as the fabric, because they are the most vulnerable part of the garment. Look for garments with seams on the back instead of the front. This provides more protection up front, where it’s needed most.

Serged seams – a basic stitched seam – are most common in general protection apparel, where resistance to hazardous substances is not intended. Look for a three-thread overlap stitching for the strongest, most durable seam. A bound seam is reinforced with binding for strength and tear resistance. A taped seam is serged, then reinforced with a film tape designed to be resistant to many liquid chemicals. Taped seams are most often found in garments designed to protect against hazardous chemical exposure.

Also consider the range of accessories available from the apparel supplier. If the exposure potential is low, risk may be isolated to specific body areas. In this case all you may need are sleeve protectors or an apron. Or, these accessories may be used to increase the protection afforded by a full-body suit or coverall.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that if the garment is not worn correctly, the employer may be open to an OSHA citation. And even the best protective garment won’t provide the required protection once it’s damaged. It is therefore crucial for safety professionals to not only select the appropriate protective apparel for each work task, but also to properly train workers in appropriately wearing the apparel. FSM

Kimberly Dennis MacDougall is senior research scientist for Kimberly-Clark Corporation.