Protection Clothes and Utilization In The Workplace

By Mike Richards

Chemical protective attire are a vital part of PPE when it comes to worker security. One of the best protective fabric for these garments is a product called Tyvek.

Tyvek is a synthetic material invented by DuPont from flash-spun, high-density polyethylene fiber. It is in use in a number of applications (including envelopes), but our focus is its service in chemical protective clothing.

Tyvek is a superior general-purpose, not reusable protective garment for light-to-medium agent protection. It provides protection from a range of chemicals, as well as dust, dirt, and risky particulates like lead, asbestos, and mold. An antistatic, low-lint textile, Tyvek is sturdy and difficult to rip; on the other hand, it can be easily cut with clippers or other sharp objects. Tyvek materials is also not a laminate, so its security is not compromised as easily when the item of clothing is abraded. Combined with nitrile gloves it is an helpful defense.

Environments where you would employ Tyvek protecting clothing include: automotive repair or other operations where you want to defend from contact with oil and grease; painting to defend skin and clothing from paint overspray; installation of fiberglass insulation; sanding procedures or other actions where you want to defend from particulates (including radioactive dust); by workers in clean rooms and laboratories; lead, asbestos, and mold abatement; food processing; and anywhere you want to prevent exposures to workers from dust and dirt. As noted above, Tyvek is meant for light-to-medium hazardous contact conditions and would not be a beneficial choice in environments with intense chemical introduction. Tyvek is also not fire resistant and should not be used around flames, heat, sparks, or in combustible or volatile environments.

Most workers are familiar with the white Tyvek coverall, but Tyvek is also used make a number of kinds of protecting attire including, lab coats, aprons, head-to-toe coveralls, and shoe and boot covers.

Once your people are prepared to work in a agent environment they should be prepared with Tyvek clothes.

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