“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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