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PAPR Chemical Suits Donning & Doffing Instructions & Guidance
Contents: - Page 2: Donning & Doffing Do’s and Dont’s: Do’s Page 3: Donning & Doffing Do’s and Dont’s: Dont’s Page 4: Preparation before donning Page 5: Installation of gloves using the Push-Lock System Page 6: Installation of PAPR blower and filters
Watch the donning video!
Page 7: Donning of the garment Page 8: Final stages and checking
This Guide includes a step-by-step guide to donning of Lakeland PAPR chemical hazard protective suits, along with hints and tips for both donning and doffing. It accompanies a donning guidance video which you can watch using the QR Code above.
“An appropriate Donning and Doffing procedure is vital in ensuring protection of workers”
Donning and Doffing Do’s and Don’ts Donning and doffing of any chemical suit requires a systematic and formalised approach, and whilst specific details of a procedure may differ according to the garment and the application, there are some general principles that should always be followed.
DO consider whether the garment is contaminated before doffing. This may influence the procedure and mean the assistant will need suitable protection. Only your partner will be able to spot any damage to the suit that has occurred during donning or whether all fastenings are closed and sealed as they should be. DO conduct a final visual check of the garment before entering a critical area. DO establish a logical order for donning and doffing of all the PPE items to be worn. The specific order may depend on the design of the PPE or on the way they are to be connected. DO produce a written donning and doffing process and checklist. A written process and checklist made easily available in the donning and doffing area can be referenced by users and enables checking to ensure it is being followed properly. DO review the donning and doffing process periodically. Regular reviewing of the process, especially if PPE changes, helps ensure it keeps pace with best practice and that it remains effective and safe. DO consider the impact on the doffing process if garments are to be re-used. In most cases chemical suits are disposed of after a single use. However, if garments are to be re- used, the doffing process will need to be adjusted with this in mind.
The best chemical suit you can buy is only effective if worn as it should be. So to ensure workers are protected from
Do’s
hazardous chemicals, a formalised, documented donning and doffing procedure is at least as
DO start the process of establishing a donning and doffing procedure with a risk analysis. Highlight key hazards, starting with the chemical:. What is it and how toxic is it? What are the consequences of contamination? Will dermal contamination even be noticed? DO undertake donning in a clean, dry, and spacious area if possible . Damage is more likely in a dirty restricted area. DO read chemical safety clothing User instructions carefully. User instructions often contain key information and LIMITATIONS OF USE of which you should be aware. Do conduct a thorough examination of the suit before donning. Do not use a suit that is damaged or has non- functioning components such as fastenings and closures. DO work in pairs for both donning and doffing. Much of the donning and most of the doffing process can only be done effectively and safely by your partner. DO stand for the final stages of the process. The later stages of donning can only be effectively done when standing.
important as the selection of the right garment for the task. If donning is performed incorrectly, if gaps are left in the whole suit ensemble, if fastenings are not properly closed, or if fabric is damaged or abraded, the result can be ingress of the chemical and contamination of the wearer.
And the insidious nature of many chemicals means that dermal contamination might not even be noticed - at least until the often catastrophic adverse health consequences develop months, years, even decades later.
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“Doffing is at least as critical and hazardous as donning - perhaps more so”
The optional Lakeland Push-Lock Glove connection system, shown in the donning process here, provides a full Type 3, jet-tested seal between sleeve and glove.
Don’ts
A poor donning procedure might mean a chemical suit does not protect properly, but the doffing process may itself be a hazard. During doffing the garment can be contaminated, so the process must be designed to ensure neither the wearer nor the assistant can be contaminated. This means the assistant will also need suitable protective PPE. So, effective chemical protection demands an effective and carefully considered donning and doffing process. We recommend establishing a written, documented procedure. This document provides workers with a step by step guide to donning of Lakeland PAPR suits, and general guidance for donning and doffing of any chemical suit
DON’T try to do the initial part of donning whilst standing and wearing footwear. Inserting booted feet into the legs of the garment whilst standing can result in losing balance and is more likely to damage the garment. DON’T underestimate the importance of joins between different items of PPE. If they require sealing, how can seal be achieved? It is good practice to wear a disposable nitrile glove underneath the chemical gloves. This serves as additional protection and helps protect the hands during doffing. If using adhesive tape to seal joins, don’t try to apply it yourself…you won’t do a good job! An alternative to taping joins between gloves and sleeves is to use a connection system such as Lakeland’s Push-Lock glove connection. This offers a simple and quick liquid-tight seal, providing greater security for the wearer. DON’T forget to consider the nature of the chemical: if the suit IS contaminated, will it be obvious? Contamination of some chemicals may not be easily apparent, so take more care where it is not easily noticeable. DON’T try to remove a contaminated garment yourself! Trying to remove a contaminated garment yourself is a great hazard because it may be contaminated.
DON’T forget the partner assisting doffing may also need PPE! If the garment is contaminated, the assistant will also need PPE. This may simply be a pair of gloves, but depending on the level of contamination and hazard presented by the coverall, may extend to full body protection. DON’T try to stand for the final part of doffing. Like with donning, trying to remove feet from the garment legs whilst standing is unwise.
Find out more here
DON’T remove gloves before doffing a contaminated coverall!
Removing gloves means hands are exposed to any contamination on the coverall as it is removed. Remove gloves at the final stage and place inside the garment bundle. DON’T just assume wearers will know how to don and doff properly. Establish training programs to ensure users know the correct donning and doffing process. Refresh and review training regularly, and ensure any new staff are properly trained. DON’T take risks! Perhaps the most dangerous words in the safety industry are “It’ll be OK”. A chemical suit not worn properly will not protect properly and, when you are dealing with “killer chemicals”, it might not be. Never underestimate the importance of a well-considered and written donning and doffing procedure. It can help ensure protection against hazardous chemicals is as it should be at all times, and that the dangers inherent in doffing are minimised.
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Before Donning Begins…
“Preparation is everything”
The correct order for donning of PAPR suits should be followed 1. Removal of the garment from the packaging 2. Installation of the gloves with the Push-Lock system if using 3. Installation of the PAPR Unit, air-hose and filters 4. Donning and closure of the garment
Once appropriate donning and doffing procedures are established, they should be maintained in a written and controlled document, available for review by all operators.
If possible, installation of gloves, PAPR blower and donning should be conducted in an area that is clean, well-lit, dry and free from sharp edges or equipment that might damage the suit. Ideally, perform inspection of the suit and installation of gloves and PAPR unit on a clean table. If the floor must be used, ensure it is clean and swept of any dirt, grit or protrusions that could damage the suit fabric.
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Remove the garment from it’s bag Unfold the garment carefully and lay it out onto a clean, flat surface with the visor facing upwards. Keep the bag to one side for use later as a protective surface for the visor
Training It is vital that all operators involved in wearing chemical suits should
undergo initial training with regular review and updates.
The insidious nature of chemical hazards means workers are more susceptible to “risk tolerance”, the tendency to grow overly familiar with the risk and hazard, and then cut corners and take risks, with the thought that “It’ll be OK”… perhaps the most dangerous phrase in safety! Thus, training of operators should not only include details of the donning process, but also why it is important, including understanding the chemical against which they need protection.
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Read carefully any user instructions provided with the garment. These may be in the form of a paper version included in the packaging or as a link - perhaps a QR code - to an online document. They often contain information about donning, use, and especially limitations of use that could be important. For example, some Type 3 suits only achieve Type 3 protection in certain circumstances, such as with additional tape applied to the zipper cover. Such limitations should be indicated in User Instructions. Perform a complete visual check of the garment before donning. Faults, damage, such as cuts or abrasion, or non-functioning components are a possibility, so it’s best to identify any problems before donning begins. Damaged suits or suits with non-functioning parts should not be used as they may not protect properly
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When selecting a chemical suit many users focus on the fabric’s ability to resist of the chemical through fabric. Yet this ignores the greater risk of whole suit ingress through holes and gaps between the suit and other PPE worn, such as face-mask, gloves, and boots. Users often attempt to seal these gaps using adhesive tape, but this is somewhat haphazard and uncertain. In the case of Lakeland PAPR suits, the standard configuration includes a fully sealed hood with visor - so the breathing mask is worn inside the hood - and attached socks, so the risk of inward leakage via these routes is dealt with. For the glove connection we recommend Lakeland’s Push- Lock system. This provides a strong attachment of most chemical glove types and sizes. It has been tested to an EN standard Type 3 liquid jet test, proving a full seal against liquid ingress. “The risk of penetration of liquid or gas through gaps with the chemical suit and other PPE is a greater concern than that of permeation through the fabric”
Installation of Gloves using the Push-Lock Glove Connection System The Push-Lock Glove Connection consists of a pair of white inner, and black outer concentric rings which provide a strong seal
for the glove attachment, by locking fabric and glove between them. You can watch a detailed video of how to install the glove rings by using the QR code below
4 Unfasten the zipper covers and zippers. Carefully open the hook and loop zipper cover fastenings, then fully unfasten the two zippers.
5 From inside the garment, push the glove with inner white ring into the sleeve of the garment. Ensure the correct left and right gloves are used in the correct sleeves.
6 Push the glove into the garment cuff, leaving a small overlap of the sleeve fabric. Position the glove with palm to the front.
7 Thread the outer black ring over the glove wider end first, and push firmly onto the sleeve and inner ring, locking it into position. Ensure a strong lock is achieved by pulling gently on the glove.
8 Repeat with the other glove and sleeve.
Use the QR Code to watch our full Push-Lock Glove Installation Video
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“A tough, flexible all-rounder!”
Installation of the PAPR Blower unit and filters
The PAPR blower must be inserted into position, with valves attached through the holes provided before donning the garment
Lakeland PAPR suits are currently certified with the “ebreath, e-flow” PAPR Blower unit and face-mask, produced by German manufacturer PM Atemschutz, one of the world’s leading producers of respiratory PPE.
9 Assemble the PAPR unit.
Attach the blower to the belt, screw the air- hose onto the unit and clip the battery into place, first ensuring it is fully charged.
10 Insert the unit with belt, and hose into the garment.
Position with air-inlets facing down in approximately the correct point at the small of the back.
The PAPR unit draws filtered air into the garment and feeds it to the hood primarily for breathing purposes. The air is then filtered through the semi-permeable neck collar to the rest of the garment, creating a positive pressure, before exiting via one-way valves at the rear. The result is a suit which offers a high level of protection combined with an unequalled experience of comfort for the wearer. “Selection of the appropriate filters for the hazard is vital to ensure the flowing air is clean
Insert the hose through the hole in the neck collar, but do not secure it in place with the hook and loop straps at this stage. 11 Carefully turn the garment and PAPR Unit over.
Ensure the PAPR blower remains in position and lay the garment bag underneath the visor to prevent scratching.
12 Attach the filter adaptors and filters. Thread the male end of one adapter
and that the wearer is properly protected”
through one of the holes in the garment and screw firmly into the housing on the PAPR unit, holding the fabric and blower housing firmly to prevent creasing. Repeat with the second adaptor, then firmly screw in the selected filters.
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“The solution to uncomfortable chemical suits!”
Donning of the PAPR garment
Final donning of the garment must be conducted with the help of an assistant or partner. Sit down to insert legs.
The combined features of PAPR suits results in both a high level of protection and a high level of comfort
13 Insert legs into the suit. Remove shoes and whilst sitting, insert both legs into the legs of the garment. If any additional footwear is to be worn, don it now, then pull the garment up to the waist and stand. The PAPR belt can now be fastened in place on the wearers’ waist.
● Fully encapsulating design including sealed visor, attached feet with boot over-flap, and optional gloves attached with the unique Lakeland Push-Lock connection system providing a Type 3 jet-test seal at the wrists. ● Constant supply of filtered air breathe” PAPR blower - with a battery life of up to eight to ten hours. ● Inward and outward air-flow balanced to maintain a constant positive pressure inside the suit, minimising the risk of inward leakage of particles and liquids. The result is a high level chemical protective suit that features an unequalled experience of comfort for the into the suit provide by the internally worn, tough and durable, German-made “e-
14 Secure the air hose in the hood.
Using the hook and loop straps, the assistant can now secure the air-hose in position inside the hood. To do this easily, the neck collar can be turned inside out to allow easy access. Straps are available to secure the hood to the neck collar for feeding air over the shoulder, or to the back of the hood to feed it over the head. Here, the hose is shown attached to the neck collar for an over-the- shoulder feed.
15 Switch on the PAPR Blower.
The PAPR can now be switched on by the assistant, and the flow rate set to the required level according to requirements. At this stage any other PPE worn inside the suit, such as hearing protection, can be donned. If wearing additional disposable gloves as an inner layer put them on now before threading arms into the suit.
16 Pull the garment over the wearer’s head
wearer… the solution to uncomfortable chemical protection
Insert the arms into the sleeves whilst the assistant pulls up the garment from the rear. Ensure hands are comfortably inserted into the gloves. The assistant can now carefully pull the hood over the wearer’s head.
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Final Stages
Doffing
Fastening of closures and final visual check
“Doffing may be a hazardous process if the outside of the garment is contaminated with the chemical!”
17 Secure the neck collar and close zipper and storm flaps
The wearer can now loosely fasten the neck collar using the drawstring. Do not over- tighten! With the wearer standing with arms outstretched the assistant should fasten both zippers, ensuring full overlap at the centre, then secure the hook and loop storm flaps, taking care to avoid any creases or gaps. As an option, additional sealing tape can be applied to the zip cover for an even higher protection level. As a final stage, the assistant should perform a full visual check, looking for damages, abrasion or tears, checking all fastenings are properly closed, checking the access window to ensure the PAPR blower is functioning, and confirming with the wearer that they are comfortable and secure.
For doffing, in general terms the reverse procedure can be followed, with the assistant unfastening the closures and carefully peeling the suit down the wearer’s body from the rear, turning it inside out in the process, so any contamination ends up on the inside of the bundle. Filters should be removed by the assistant first, and the belt unfastened (again by the assistant) and hose and PAPR unit recovered once the garment top is removed. Because the suit and gloves may be contaminated, care must be taken to ensure that neither the wearer nor the assistant come into contact with the chemical residue in the process. So, for example, the neck collar drawstring should be unfastened by the assistant, since the wearer’s gloves may be contaminated. In addition, the assistant will require suitable PPE, protective gloves as a minimum.
18 Perform a final visual check
19 The wearer is now ready to enter the hazardous area.
We also have a video showing the PAPR suit donning process.
Click the image to watch
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This document provides general guidance for donning and doffing of Lakeland PAPR chemical suits. However, different applications and environments mean specific donning requirements and processes may differ. Selection, donning and wearing of any chemical protective clothing, including PAPR suits, should only be conducted by suitably trained operators, and following an effective risk assessment conducted by a qualified safety professional. No guarantee of protection is indicated or implied by the contents of this document.
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