TYPES OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
FOR FULL BODY PROTECTION
IN THE WORKPLACE |
Description |
Type of Protection |
Use Considerations |
Fully encapsulating suit one-piece garment.
Boots and gloves may be integral, attached
and replaceable, or separate. |
Protects against splashes, dust gases, and vapours. |
Does not allow body heat to escape. May contribute to heat stress in wearer, particularly if worn in conjunction with a closed-circuit SCBA; a cooling garment may be needed. Impairs worker mobility, vision, and communication. |
Non-encapsulating suit
Jacket, hood, pants or bib overalls, and one-piece coveralls. |
Protects against splashes, dust, and other materials but not against gases and vapours. Does not protect parts of head or neck. |
Do not use where gas-tight or pervasive splashing protection is required. May contribute to heat stress in wearer. Tape-seal connections between pant cuffs and boots and between gloves and sleeves. |
Aprons, leggings, and sleeve protectors.
Fully sleeved and gloved apron. Separate coverings for arms and legs. Commonly worn over non-encapsulating suit. |
Provides additional splash protection of chest, forearms, and legs. |
Whenever possible, should be used over a non-encapsulating suit to minimize potential heat stress. Useful for sampling, labelling, and analysis operations. Should be used only when there is a low probability of total body contact with contaminants. |
Firefighters' protective clothing
Gloves, helmet, running or bunker coat, running or bunker pants (NFPA No. 1971, 1972, 1973, and boots (1974). |
Protects against heat, hot water, and some particles. Does not protect against gases and vapours, or chemical permeation or degradation. NFPA Standard No. 1971 specifies that a garment consists of an outer shell, an inner liner and a vapour barrier with a minimum water penetration of 25 lb/in2 (1.8 kg/cm2) to prevent passage of hot water. |
Decontamination is difficult. Should not be worn in areas where protection against gases, vapours, chemical splashes or permeation is required. |
Proximity garment (approach suit)
One- or two-piece overgarment with boot covers, gloves, and hood of aluminized nylon or cotton fabric. Normally worn over other protective clothing, firefighters' bunker gear, or flame-retardant coveralls. |
Protects against splashes, dust, gases, and vapours. |
Does not allow body heat to escape. May contribute to heat stress in wearer, particularly if worn in conjunction with a closed-circuit SCBA; a cooling garment may be needed. Impairs worker mobility, vision, and communication. |
Blast and fragmentation suit
Blast and fragmentation vests and clothing, bomb blankets, and bomb carriers. |
Provides some protection against very small detonations. Bomb blankets and baskets can help redirect a blast. |
Does not provide for hearing protection. |
Radiation-contamination protective suit
Various types of protective clothing designed to prevent
contamination of the body by radioactive particles. |
Protects against alpha and beta particles. Does not protect against gamma radiation. |
Designed to prevent skin contamination. If radiation is detected on site, consult an experienced radiation expert and evacuate personnel until the radiation hazard has been evaluated. |
Flame/fire retardant coveralls
Normally worn as an undergarment. |
Provides protection from flash fires. |
Adds bulk and may exacerbate heat stress problems and impair mobility |
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For more in depth information on managing contamination hazards in the workplace consult:
Technical Manual for Protective Clothing
Contaminated Water Is More Than Just A Third World Problem
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