General protective clothing

Protective clothing must offer some specific protection – if it does not, it is classified as work wear.

Types of General Protective Clothing

Separates - Jackets, trousers that cover only part of the body as well as trousers for leg protection there are also knee pads and gaiters.

Aprons - Aprons only cover part of the body.

Overalls, coveralls, and body suits - These cover the whole body.

Hard fibre or metal guards will help protect against some impacts.

Key Points

Key points to note for personal protective equipment:

• Store used and contaminated clothing separately from clean clothing.
• Select protective clothing carefully for chemical resistance and protection, especially against mixtures.
• Do not use protective clothing for longer than the recommended breakthrough times. Manufacturers will advise on breakthrough times for their products.
• Clean clothing according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For some chemical suits, hygienic cleaning may be possible but often this type of clothing cannot be effectively cleaned.
• Inspect for wear and tear, loose seams, and surface damage before use.
• Do not wear loose protective clothing near moving machinery in case it gets caught in the machinery.

Processes and Activities

The following are examples of the sorts of processes and activities that require protective clothing for the body:

• laboratory work or work with chemicals, dust, or other hazardous substances;
• construction and outdoor work;
• work in cold stores;
• forestry work using chainsaws;
• highway and road works;
• spraying pesticides;
• food processing;
• welding;
• foundry work and molten metal processes;

this is not an exhaustive list.

Selection of Protective Clothing

Working with chemicals and hazardous substances, Low risk chemicals:

• Handling small quantities of low-risk chemicals may only require aprons protective against accidental splashes;
• chemical-resistant clothing, coveralls, and laboratory coats made from uncoated cotton or synthetic material such as nylon or Terylene with a water repellent finish.

Strong solvents, oils, and greases:

• Larger quantities of chemicals or risk of contact with sprays or jets of chemicals are likely to require protective coats/trousers or coveralls.
• coats, overalls, and aprons made from neoprene or polyurethane coated nylon, or Terylene or rubber aprons.

Fibres and dust:

• suits made from bonded olefin forms a dense shield which keeps out fibres and particles.

Thermal and weather protection, cold from Working Outside or in a Cold/Freezer Area:

• Use clothing made of thick or padded material or multi-layered leather or fabric or thermal insulating fabrics.

Keeping dry when Working Outside in the Rain or Using Water Sprays for Cleaning:

• Use rubbers, plastics, water repellent coatings, waterproof and breathable fabrics;
• jackets, trousers, and leggings made with PVC coated nylon or cotton will offer protection against rain, also resistant to abrasions, cracking, and tearing, and will protect against most oils, chemicals, and acids;
• ‘breathable’ water-proof fabrics (‘Gore-Tex’) will keep out water while allowing body perspiration to escape;
• waxed cotton will also protect against rain.

Radiant Heat and Flame from Welding, Metalworking, and Foundries:

• Use suitable flame-retardant, insulating, and heat retardant fabrics.

Keeping cool:

• cotton or cotton and polyester coveralls with flame-retardant finishes are available to protect against sparks and flame.

Working with food:

• use food quality overalls and coveralls will protect against splashes from oils and fats.

Cuts and Hazards Working with Knives, Machinery, etc.:

• Use clothing made of thick or padded material or multi-layers reinforced fabric, aramid fibres, for example, body armour material or chain mail.

Chainsaw Protective Clothing:

• legwear is available with all-round protection or with protection only for the front of the legs;
• the leg wear with all-round protection offers the greatest protection for users;
• jackets and gloves are also available with inserts of chainsaw-resistant materials at vulnerable points.

Electrostatic Hazards:

• Where clothing is to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres clothing should be selected that has been shown to resist the build-up of static electricity.