Selecting The Right Protective Suit For The Job

Choosing the right type of protective suit involves finding the perfect combination of comfort and safety. You want something that is easy to work in, but it also needs to meet the safety standards in your area. This means deciding the level of risk the suit should be rated at as well as the material characteristics of the plastic suit all comes into play.

Risk Levels

The lowest level, D, is where the situation involves no actual risk or hazard. This level of protective suit simply needs to cover your clothing and skin. Other items for this level include such as safety boots, gloves, hard hats, masks, and shields. The next level of risk, level C, is reserved for situations where you know what the chemical is and there is some gas or vapors. Along with a hooded plastic suit or disposable coveralls, you will also need an air purifying mask, chemical resistant gloves, boots, and possibly a hard hat.

Level B involves the utmost in respiratory protection, but it doesn't require quite as much in terms of protecting your clothing and skin. At this level, you will need to have a chemical resistant protective suit, inner and outer gloves, steel toed and chemical resistant boots, and a positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. In order to protect yourself from gasses, vapors, and unknown substances, you will need to select Level A protection. Chemical resistant gloves and boots are paired with a gas-tight suit and a positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. This is the highest level of breathing and skin protection available.

Protective Material

A protective suit has three main factors that determine its level of safety. The first thing to consider is how the suit is put together. Seams that are sewn together have tiny holes where the needle went through to put the thread into the material. This can allow vapors and germs into the inside of the suit. Sealed seams have a cementing or special tape heated and 'welded' over the seams so that there are no holes.

When protective material is tested, it has a breakthrough time and a permeation rate. The breakthrough time involves the length of time a chemical takes to be detected on the inside of the material. The permeation rate is how long the chemical requires to soak to the other side of the material in the plastic suit.

Rules And Regulations

The National Fire Protection Association has set up a set of standards for protective clothing to follow. These regulations tell you what you should be looking for in terms of the strength, resistance, and functionality that each piece of protective gear is supposed to have as well as their durability. When looking at protective clothing, it is also helpful to look for its rating and the Safety Equipment Institute seal on the clothing.

It is important to save money and be comfortable in a protective suit, but it also needs to have the adequate level of safety for the job you are doing. Decide on what level of risk your situation poses and what kind of protection you need. The right plastic suit can make all the difference when it comes to having a healthy and productive life.

About the Author: Christine O'Kelly is an author for the leading protective suit supplier, MPE Safety Apparel. They offer various forms of disposable protective clothing items including the plastic suit and other items from Tyvek.