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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

For Environmental Health

General Guidance

The investigation and assessment of human health hazards and nuisances that may be done by public health workers and Environmental Health (EH) practitioners will sometimes require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect against potential exposures to environmental health hazards.  While not all local health departments conduct environmental health hazard investigations, all public health workers and EH should be aware of the PPE requirements for these possible exposures, because ultimately, the local health officer is responsible for human health hazard abatement in his or her jurisdiction (HFS 140.04) as well as assuring the National Public Health Essential Services are implemented as described in Wisconsin Statute 250.03(10)(L).   

All PPE used by EH and public health workers should be in accordance with the agency’s PPE Program (OSHA Standard 29 CFF 1910.32).  Elements of the PPE Program include hazard assessment, appropriate PPE selection and assure its use, training, and monitoring of the program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness. (See PPE Program development page)  During human health hazard and environmental hazard investigations, a hazard assessment should also be done by conducting a walk-through survey of the areas in question.  The purpose is to identify sources of hazards to workers and co-workers.  The type of hazards EH staff may encounter include:

  • Airborne dust or particles
  • Liquid chemicals
  • Particulate chemicals
  • Other Chemicals
  • Unknown liquids, powders or substances
  • Objects that can strike, pierce, crush or puncture
  • Materials that might scrape, bruise or cut
  • Loose or unstable materials overhead
  • Rolling or falling objects
  • Loud noises
  • Dust, mists, vapors, splashes
  • Excessive heat or cold
  • Electrical hazards

Environmental Health (EH) practitioners should become familiar with the types of PPE that may be required to protect against potential hazards encountered during human health hazard investigations, and should be aware of situations when the use of PPE is necessary.   EH practitioners must also be able to determine when the PPE that they have available is inappropriate and may not provide sufficient protection.  There are OSHA Standards on the specific types of PPE commonly used by EH and public health workers:

  • Eye and Face Protection (29CFR 1910.133)
  • Respiratory Protection (29CFR 1910.134)
  • Head Protection (29CFR 1910.135)
  • Foot Protection (29CFR 1910.136)
  • Electrical (29CFR 1910.137)
  • Hand (29CFR 1910.138)
  • Ear (29CFR1919.195)

At a minimum, the investigation of human health hazards often requires the wearing of common PPE and protective clothing to protect your feet (boots or heavy shoes), eyes (safety glasses), hands (safety gloves, disposable nitrile or latex-free gloves), body (Tyvek® suits or gowns), and head (hard hat).  This gear may not be appropriate for all situations, but having access to this equipment will assure that it is available when needed.

For situations involving chemical spills, hazardous materials, confined spaces, or criminal activity, EH practitioners and public health workers, unless specifically trained to respond to the type of incident observed, should refer the situation to a local fire department Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) team, law enforcement officials, or the regional Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chemical Spill Coordinator.

References:

OSHA General PPE Requirements Standard  29CFR1910 Subpart I http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9777

Wisconsin COMM Chapter 32

http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=code&jd=ch.%20Comm%2032

 

General Precautions

For environmental health exposures the use of standard precautions refers to general contact control practices that prevent contamination of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and clothing.  These precautions should be observed when contact with potentially hazardous materials, body fluids, fecal material, and other environmental contaminants are a possibility.  The following standard precautions should be used during environmental investigations:

Avoid Contact

·         When possible, the EH practitioner should try to avoid contact with a potential contaminant.  This may require observance from a distance, or referral of the situation to a trained response professional.

Wash Hands

·         Wash hands with soap and water and dry with disposable towels after any potential contamination may have occurred.

·         Hand washing must also be done prior to putting on (donning) PPE and immediately after removing (doffing) PPE.

·         Hand washing should be followed with the application of hand sanitizer, if possible.

 Samples of PPE Use for Environmental Health Investigations

·         For most situations, the EH practitioner should wear work boots or heavy shoes, protective gloves (to protect against sharp objects or debris), and protective headgear, depending on the observed hazards.

·         Disposable nitrile or latex-free exam gloves should be worn when there is a possibility of skin contact.

·         Surgical masks or dust masks should be worn when there is a possibility of splash or dust entering the mouth or nose.

·         Goggles, a face shield, or safety glasses should be worn when there is a possibility of splash, dust, or debris entering the eyes.

·         A Tyvek®  suit, disposable gown, and shoe coverings should be worn when there is a possibility of debris, dirt, or other hazardous substance causing contamination of clothing and shoes.

·         A respirator (N95 or higher) may be worn for situations involving airborne particles, infectious disease organisms or  mold spores.  The use of respirators is regulated by OSHA Respiratory Standards (CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection).  Prior to using a respirator for protection, the user must be properly trained, medically evaluated, and fit-tested.  For lead or asbestos contamination it is recommended to use the reusable half-mask respirator with P100 filters per the OSHA Respiratory Standards. (CFR 1910.1025, Lead, and CFR 1910.1001, Asbestos).

·         Immediately after use, PPE must be removed and discarded in a leak-proof plastic bag.  For most environmental investigations, PPE disposal in a biohazard container is not necessary.

·         Other considerations:  hearing protection, waders or rubber boots, a change of clothes, cell phone or portable radio, camera, ID with photo, and conducting the inspection with another “team” member or law enforcement personnel.

References:

Department of Health Services (DHS) Infection Control website PPE webpage (Webpage currently under development; link to Infection Control PPE page when available)

DHS Public Health Nurse Consultant public health nurse orientation training module on Human Health Hazard Investigations (Webpage currently under development; link when available)

 

Frequently Asked Questions for 

Environmental Health PPE

When should I wear a respirator for a human health hazard exposure investigation, and what type do I need?

When conducting investigations where there is a lot of dust and debris present, such as in home renovations, construction sites, and disaster clean-up sites, use of dust masks or surgical-type masks may provide adequate protection.  If the hazard assessment involves potential lead or asbestos contamination, if there is fecal material from birds or bats present, or if mold spores are a potential hazard, a N95 respirator is necessary to provide protection.   When the investigation involves hazardous chemicals, gasses and/or vapors, the EH practitioner should not enter the site until it has been cleared by a hazardous materials team, unless the EH practitioner is specifically trained in these types of investigations.  In most situations, the respiratory equipment required is beyond the scope of most local health departments.  Confined spaces and other oxygen-deficient environments require the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, and should only be entered by professionals.   If the site is an asbestos or lead abatement project, the site should only be entered by a certified person.   Lead and asbestos inspections require the use of a half-mask respirator with replacement P100 filters specifically designed for either lead or asbestos (CFR 1910.1025, Lead, and CFR 1910.1001, Asbestos).

I have to investigate an odor complaint at a large farm, and will be using a meter to check gas levels.  What PPE do I need?

Most farm odor problems involve the release of gases, so use of an N95 particulate respirator will not protect you from any gases present.   A N95 respirator may be helpful if the farm is extremely dusty, especially if the dusts are from agricultural products that may cause allergic reactions (hay, grains, feed).  Care must be exercised to keep from entering an area with unsafe levels of gases, and you should try to remain in well-ventilated areas during the investigation.  Other PPE that should be worn would include: boots/shoes with shoe covers; Tyvek® suit to protect from manure and/or agricultural chemicals; and eye protection (if very dusty).

 I have to investigate a house that is in poor condition.  What do I need?

Prior to entry be sure that the house is structurally sound enough to allow safe entry.  Contact a building inspector and the building owner to be sure entry can be done safely.  A N95 respirator is probably appropriate, as lead dust and asbestos fibers may be present.  Additional PPE would include a Tyvek® suit, shoe covers, nitrile gloves, and a hard hat.   If you determine that lead paint or asbestos is present, refer the situation to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Asbestos and Lead Section or to a local lead/asbestos risk assessor.

I need to determine if a home is habitable after a flood.  What PPE is needed?

After a disaster, the first step is to assure that the structure is sound.  Contact a building inspector if there is a question.  In addition check with Emergency Management officials to be sure the utilities have been disconnected and that you have authorization to be in the home.  After being cleared to enter, you should wear a Tyvek® suit with shoe covers, nitrile or disposable gloves, eye protection, and work boots or rubber boots.  Post-disaster sites often contain debris, sharp objects, and chemical residues, so be careful to keep from getting scratched or injured.  If mold is obvious or musty odors are present a N95 respirator should also be worn to protect against mold spores.

I have been asked by law enforcement to assess an illegal methamphetamine laboratory (meth lab).  What do I need for PPE?

Prior to entering, be sure that the local fire department’s Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) team or a hazardous waste contractor has cleared the site.  Meth labs often have residues of hazardous and toxic materials, so you must be certain that chemical fumes have been reduced to below safety standards.   Contact the Haz Mat team or contractor to determine if additional air monitoring is necessary.  In addition, check with the law enforcement agency in charge to be sure that all evidence needed by the law enforcement agency has been collected and that they have authorized your entry into the Meth lab.  Wear a Tyvek® suit with shoe covers, nitrile or disposable gloves, and eye protection.  Use of a dust mask, surgical-type mask, or N95 respirator will not be helpful in protecting you from chemical fumes and will not be necessary, unless particulate hazards (dust, mold, insulation, etc) are a possibility.

I have been asked to help assess the risk of a mercury spill.  Can I do that?

Yes, if you have been trained in the use of the Lumex Mercury Analyzer®, you can investigate as long as the air concentration stays below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) that does not require a respirator.  If the air quality is unknown or if the mercury vapor level exceeds standards, a half-face respirator with a mercury vapor chemical cartridge is necessary (CFR 1910.134(d)(3).  The N95 or P100 respirators do not provide adequate protection to mercury vapors.  Use a Tyvek® suit, shoe covers, and nitrile gloves for PPE.  Consult with WI Division of Public Health Environmental Health staff prior to beginning the investigation.

I am investigating a hoarding/dirty house complaint and animal waste is everywhere.  What PPE should I use?

In a hoarding situation, especially with large amounts of fecal material present, wear a Tyvek® suit, disposable gloves, eye protection, and shoe covers.  If the house is dusty or mold may be present use a N95 respirator.  If the house strongly smells of ammonia/urine, especially if the odor begins to irritate your eyes and mucous membranes, you should leave the house and obtain equipment or personnel to sample the ammonia concentration.  Ventilation prior to entry is preferable as ammonia will lead to desensitized olfactory detection over time.

If you have any questions, e-mail Ryan Wozniak at ryan.wozniak@dhs.wisconsin.gov   

Last Revised: December 12, 2008