Types of Protective Gear
Asbestos professionals use a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate their risk of exposure to asbestos fibers. This typically includes:
- Respirators: These are masks that fit over the nose and mouth and use filters to remove asbestos fibers from the air that is breathed in.
- Protective clothing: Asbestos professionals may wear coveralls, gloves, and other protective clothing to prevent skin contact with asbestos fibers.
- Eye protection: Goggles or other eye protection may be worn to prevent asbestos fibers from entering the eyes.
- Footwear: Asbestos professionals may wear protective footwear, such as boots, to prevent fibers from entering their shoes.
In addition to PPE, asbestos professionals may also use specialized equipment to remove asbestos-containing materials safely. This may include wetting systems to keep fibers from becoming airborne, vacuum cleaners equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove fibers from the air, and containment barriers to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers during removal.
Asbestos professionals may wear hazmat suits, also known as encapsulated suits, while working with asbestos. Hazmat suits are designed to protect the wearer from hazardous materials, including asbestos fibers. They are typically made of a durable, nonporous material such as Tyvek and are designed to be airtight, with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air system to provide the wearer with clean air.
Hazmat suits are typically reserved for use in situations where the risk of asbestos exposure is high and the use of other types of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not sufficient to protect the asbestos professional. For example, a hazmat suit may be worn while removing large amounts of asbestos-containing material or when working in areas with high levels of asbestos contamination.
It is important to note that hazmat suits should only be used by trained and certified professionals who are familiar with the proper use and care of this type of equipment. Using a hazmat suit improperly can increase the risk of exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials.
There are several types of respirators that may be used by asbestos professionals, including:
- Half-mask respirators: These cover the nose and mouth and are typically used for tasks that do not produce high levels of asbestos contamination.
- Full-face respirators: These cover the entire face and are typically used for tasks that produce higher levels of asbestos contamination or for tasks that require more protection.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA): These are full-face respirators that have their own air supply, typically in the form of a tank of compressed air. SCBAs are typically used in situations where the air is heavily contaminated or where the risk of exposure is high.
Asbestos professionals typically wear protective clothing to prevent skin contact with asbestos fibers. This may include coveralls, gloves, and other protective clothing.
Coveralls are one-piece garments that cover the entire body and are typically made of a durable, nonporous material such as Tyvek. They are designed to be worn over regular clothing and protect the skin from asbestos fibers.
Gloves are worn to protect the hands from asbestos fibers and are typically made of a durable, nonporous material such as rubber or neoprene.
Other protective clothing, such as hoods, aprons, and boots, may also be worn to provide additional protection.