How to choose PPE

The Type on the datasheet, not the name, says what a coverall keeps out. The Hazguard T4 is Type 4, spray-tight to EN 14605, plus Types 5 and 6; the Hazguard T5 SMS and T5 White are Type 5, particle-tight to EN ISO 13982-1, and Type 6 for light spray.

The Pro-Val range runs to 33 gloves, seven disposable coveralls, three respirators and a face mask, two aprons and a gown, and the covers worn in food areas.

Before ordering, read the rating on the datasheet for the item in hand: the Type, and any "-B", on a coverall, AS/NZS 1716:2012 on a respirator, EN 374 on a glove for chemical work.

1.Start with the hazard

2.Gloves

Pro-Val Nitrile Blax PFpowder free nitrile, non-medical gradeShop this glove

The 33 Pro-Val gloves split 17 single-use and 16 reusable, and the disposable gloves page groups nine of the single-use lines. Cut work takes the TNGF or KGF at EN 388 level F from the cut resistant gloves, and heat takes a Neo Heat 250 or Neo Heat 350, rated to EN 407, from the heat resistant gloves. HACCP International has certified 20 gloves across the range for food contact, and the food safe gloves page groups ten of those. Examination grade runs across nitrile, vinyl (Stretch PF and Stretch Blues PF) and latex (Securitex), and the nitrile gloves page explains what the grade means.

Vinyl or nitrile? Where chemicals are involved, none of the five vinyl gloves names EN 374 on its datasheet, while three nitrile gloves do - the reusable Nitrile 33's and Nitrile 46's, and the Nitrile Blax HD, which at 0.20mm at the finger is the thickest single-use nitrile and the only single-use glove in the range with EN 374 on its sheet. The vinyl gloves are listed for food processing, food service, cafes and cleaning, and the Stretch PF and Stretch Blues PF are listed for medical and dental work as well. Each Securitex latex datasheet warns of allergic reactions in some individuals, so a wearer with a latex allergy picks from the latex free gloves.

Where a glove's EN 374 line names its test chemicals, look for your chemical on that glove's own datasheet, and the heavy duty gloves page sets out how the line is read. Not every glove in the chemical resistant gloves collection names EN 374 on its datasheet, so the same check applies there.

3.Coveralls, and the Type system

Pro-Val Hazguard T5 Whitemicroporous, Type 5/6Shop this coverall

Each Type is tested to an EN standard, and Types 3 and 4 share one (EN 14605). The PP White and PP Navy Coveralls carry no Type, so the rated suits are the Hazguards. The Hazguard T4 and Hazguard MP4 share one datasheet and are Type 4/5/6, the Hazguard T5 SMS and Hazguard T5 White are Type 5/6, and every Hazguard is Category III.

SMS is triple layer polypropylene (spunbond, meltblown, spunbond), which the manufacturer calls highly breathable and says reduces heat stress. The Hazguard T4, MP4 and T5 White are made in the other Hazguard fabric, a microporous one their sheets also call breathable. The Hazguard T4 and MP4 are waterproof, the Hazguard T5 White is water resistant, and all three pass EN 14126 for infective agents. The Type 5/6 suits are for light spray and low pressure splashes where a complete permeation barrier is not needed, with higher exposures sent to suits made to Types 1 to 4. Every Hazguard sheet warns "Flammable Material. Keep away from fire", and no coverall in the range lists welding, grinding or hot work among its uses. The PP coveralls claim no waterproof, splash or infective-agent protection, so within the coverall range they are the pick for routine dust and dirt.

For asbestos, Safe Work Australia's model code says disposable coveralls should be used and names a Type 5, Category III coverall to EN ISO 13982-1 as one that would meet its standard, and every Hazguard sheet carries that rating. To meet the Type 5/6 claims the SMS sheet calls for every opening taped - wrists, ankles, neck and the zipper flap.

4.Aprons and gowns

Pro-Val CPE Splash Gownwaterproof, with thumb loopsShop this gown

The Disposable Plastic Apron, blue or white, is a low density polyethylene cover for the torso and upper leg, with back ties and a head loop, and one of the aprons and gowns we stock; the standard aprons are 800 x 1400mm and the white Extra Long is 1600mm long. HACCP International certifies it Food Zone Secondary (FZS), which the register gives to items suitable for touching food contact surfaces but not expected to touch food during normal conditions of use. The CPE Splash Gown covers the arms and body as well, in cast polyethylene (CPE) at 0.03mm against the standard aprons' 0.020mm. The gown is waterproof, with thumb loops, back ties and a tear back for easy removal, and it is limited use; unlike the aprons it is not on the HACCP International register. Among the jobs on the gown's datasheet are medical, hospital and aged care work, mortuary services and food processing.

5.Respirators and face masks

The Disposable Face Mask is a 3-ply polypropylene mask on ear loops. Its datasheet marks it "Not for Medical Use" and names no standard, and it lists industrial, personal, office, retail, hair and beauty and domestic use. The face masks and respirators range holds no surgical mask to AS 4381. By listed job, the P2 Disposable Respirator with Valve covers asbestos removal, demolition, welding, brazing and grinding, the P1 Disposable Respirator covers drilling, sawing, woodwork, cleaning and gardening, and sanding sits on both lists. The P2's datasheet rates it at 94% efficiency on 0.3 micron particles, and its valve helps expel hot air; the P2 with Valve and Carbon Filter has the same rating and valve. All three respirators are certified to AS/NZS 1716:2012, and their sheets say to use them in line with AS/NZS 1715. Safe Work Australia's model asbestos code also asks for RPE to AS/NZS 1716:2012 and a fit test to make sure the respirator fits the wearer and seals against the face.

6.The covers that protect the product

Covers mostly protect the product from the worker, and HACCP International certifies the berets, beard covers and boot and shoe covers as SSZ (Splash or Spill Zone), suitable for food handling areas such as kitchens and processing areas but not for direct contact with food. The sleeve covers, Lightouch PP and Armgard PE, are FZS like the PE aprons, with elastic at both ends so no gap opens between glove and arm; the Lightouch is 40cm long and the Armgard PE is water resistant. The SMS Non-Slip Boot Cover works both ways, keeping contaminants brought in on street clothes out of a work area or the work area's contaminants off street clothes, and is single use. Every one of the hair covers we stock is a Crimped Beret, and the elastic round its perimeter is latex. Ask the wearer about a latex allergy before the beret is issued.

7.Your PPE duty

Safe Work Australia says a PCBU (the person conducting a business or undertaking, the business running the work) must only issue PPE if other control measures haven't removed or minimised the risk. SafeWork NSW ranks the controls with elimination first, then one or more of substitution, isolation or engineering, then administrative controls, and PPE last and least effective. Once PPE is the answer, the PCBU has to select suitable PPE that fits properly, provide information, training and instructions, and periodically check it is still effective; Regulations 36, 44 and 45 of the model WHS Regulations hold the full requirements. The datasheets carry their own reuse marks, with the Hazguard coveralls "Do Not Reuse", the respirators and face mask "Single Use Only", the PP coveralls "Disposable", and the gown not to be laundered.

On a chemical job, tell us the chemical by name and we'll look for a glove whose EN 374 line names it.