Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to prevent or minimize your exposure to hazards such as biological, chemical, radiological, and electrical when a space becomes contaminated. Because PPE can make the difference between you getting injured or becoming ill if you are exposed to a hazard, it’s incredibly important that you select the right type of equipment and wear it properly. 

In extreme cases, you may also need to avoid exposure to the area altogether and work with professionals who are trained in selecting the right PPE and handling these scenes. Keep reading to learn how to select the right PPE and when to know it’s time to get help instead of trying to tackle decontamination yourself. 

First, assess the situation

Before deciding which type of personal protective equipment is appropriate to clean and approach a scene, you’ll want to assess the situation. In fact, ISHN magazine states that conducting a hazard assessment is the single most important part of mandating appropriate PPE recommendations. The selection of PPE should be based primarily on the hazards identified during your assessment. Different types of PPE range from face masks, gloves, eyewear, and safety glasses to full body suits, respirators, and hard hats, so without knowing the full situation, it’s difficult to determine the type of equipment necessary to be fully protected. 

Ensure the PPE is in good condition

Once you’ve determined what type of PPE you need, you’ll want to ensure that it is safely designed / constructed and is maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. OSHA also recommends that the PPE should fit comfortably so the person wearing it is safely covered and not dangerously exposed to any hazards. It’s important to note that if any PPE is damaged, it should be replaced rather than mended and any equipment that does not fit properly may have limited effectiveness. This means all PPE should be checked and if it is in good condition and fits properly, the person wearing it can easily avoid any contact with hazards by having the right barriers in place. 

Get help when you need it

Very few people are experts in properly handling, cleaning, and approaching hazardous situations and without the proper training (or the proper equipment) they can become dangerous spaces quickly. Since safety is so important, it’s critical that you avoid any risk of exposure to hazards like blood-borne pathogens or bodily fluids if your home has been contaminated with them. Cleanup of blood spillage and contaminated spaces is a specialty service that should be provided by companies who have the proper training, certification, and PPE. 

Professional biohazard cleaners like Xtreme Cleaners are experts in handling the extensive remediation process required for proper blood cleanup and have protocols for selecting the appropriate protective gear for whatever job they’re faced with. Our team of highly trained technicians are certified in biohazard recovery and are here 24/7 to help so you can safely return to your home with the peace of mind that you deserve. If you or someone you know needs help decontaminating a space in Louisiana, give our team a call at 800-524-9591.