Avoiding Chemical Spills with the Proper Workwear & Uniforms for Your Employees!
Spills are almost an inevitability wherever chemicals are present. As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says in its Oil Spill Booklet,1 protecting yourself is the #1 priority. Safety precautions are critical as well, but you never want to underestimate the protective workwear and uniforms available from Prudential Overall Supply.
In many industrial work areas, visibility is low. Chemicals are often in motion, and it’s not uncommon for them to splash. A chemical spill comes with the risk of flammability, corrosion, reactivity to water or air, and toxicity.2 The vapors present can be quite volatile. Any exposure to combustible materials, including dust, can result in a fire or explosion, and any contact with skin can result in dangerous chemicals being absorbed into the body.
Fortunately, wearing protective Prudential Uniforms clothing, such as lab coats, pants, and work shirts can prevent injuries from chemical exposure. Prudential Overall Supply stocks protective apparel that ensures the safety of workers in industrial environments, such as the:
- IQ Series Endurance FR Work Shirt: A fire-resistant dress uniform shirt with a gas monitor pocket at the front shoulders, the shirt also has Milliken® FR Westex G2™ fabrics that are CAT2- and 2112-certified.
- Excel FR™ Work Pant: Also fire-resistant, the product has an inner-lined waistband (with button closure) and an arc thermal protective value (ATPV) of 12.2 calories/cm2.
- Excel FR™ Deluxe Coverall: Protects the wearer against fire and has an arc rating of 8.6 ATPV calories/ cm2.
There are many other important types of workwear available from our company. These include cleanroom gloves, cleanroom wipes, and cleanroom shoes, in addition to flame-resistant uniforms. While chemical spill prevention through proper storage and transport is the first line of defense, men’s work clothes and shop uniforms protect individuals whenever they work around chemicals or may not be aware of spillage.
The products from work uniform stores such as ours are designed to resist the absorption of harmful compounds into the skin of the arms, legs, torso, and hands. These are not cheap work uniforms; you’ll find a men’s buttondown shirt that’s more durable and resistant than typical brands.
Importance of Hazardous Spill Procedures
Workers at your facility should wear the appropriate protective apparel for the work environment at all times, but this apparel, while functioning in all types of chemical spills, do not take the place of a chemical spill emergency response plan. A chemical spill response procedure should involve:
- Controlling the spill
- Contacting an emergency management office
- Isolating the contaminated area (at least 30 feet out from the spill)3
- Containing the spilled material
- Cleaning up, using an absorbent material
- Decontaminating or neutralizing the area
Employees should always follow the chemical spill cleanup procedure outlined by their company. OSHA also recommends completing it before eating, drinking, or using a restroom. A full decontamination should be performed at the completion of their shift. Exposure to any toxic substances should be addressed by washing and sanitizing. Each facility should also have its own guidelines for disposing of spilled materials.
Chemical spills in the workplace are very dangerous. It’s, therefore, essential to know how to respond to a chemical spill and follow a chemical spill procedures template.4
Last, garments from Prudential Cleanroom Services, a sister company of Prudential Overall Supply, should be worn at all times. For more information about Prudential Uniforms and facility and chemical safety, visit us online or call 800-767-5536.
Sources
- https://www.osha.gov/Publications/Oil_Spill_Booklet_05.11_v4.pdf
- https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/about/governance/committees/
chemicalsafety/publications/guide-for-chemical-spill-response.html - https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-handle-chemical-spills
- https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-handle-chemical-spills