When You Need to Replace Your Safety Equipment

 It is essential to use personal protective equipment (PPE) on any worksite where chemical hazards are likely to occur. It is not the only step in compliance with safety regulations and best practices (the SWMS ahead of any project highlight the full requirements of the risk mitigation plans), but it is an important one. 

Employers are obligated to provide every employee with this equipment. It is not up to the employee to provide their own safety gear. It is also the responsibility of the employer to educate their employees on how best to utilize the equipment and make sure that all the Chemical Hazard Suit is maintained. 

Safe Work recommends that a chemical hazard suit needs to be:

• Applicable for the nature of the work

• The right size and fit for the person

• Appropriately stored and maintained

• Frequently replaced on first signs of degradation

How rapidly does PPE degrade?

A minor tear from a frayed edge on normal clothing isn’t any cause for alarm. Actually, there is a whole fashion trend where one deliberately tears or strips their clothes. With PPE, things are a little different, as the slightest defect in the equipment could expose someone to danger. 

The smallest gap in an arc flash suit is a good example. Fire and chemicals could break the barrier and cause harm to the person wearing it once they get inside. 

There is no set rate at which you need to replace a chemical hazard suit, but it all depends on how often the equipment is worn and how frequently it is exposed to hazardous conditions. The best thing to do is to have a rule of thumb that the equipment needs to be replaced every six months under normal circumstances. 

What You Should Be Looking For

Your chemical hazard suit requires scheduled inspection that should be maintained throughout its lifespan. This will help to identify any piece of equipment that may need to be changed earlier. Some of the things that inspectors should look out for as an indicator that the chemical hazard suit may be worn out beyond use include:

• Any staining or material degradation – thin or faded material suggests delicate and disposed to failure.

• Rips, indention, cracks, holes, tears, or visible damage – this is an instant warning that the chemical hazard suit will no longer function as required.

• The age of the gear as compared to that of the manufacturer’s expiration date – if it is closer to the expiration date, then it needs to be checked more carefully.

• How many owners has the gear had – various owners will wear the gear differently. This will accelerate degradation.

• Failing adapters, locks, straps, or security devices