Individuals who work with caustic chemicals on a regular basis know that it is important to wear the proper safety gear. This means finding the right disposable chemical suit. Of course, there are lots of options to choose from. When someone starts the process of finding the right suit, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. There are a few important tips that everyone should follow to make sure they choose the right disposable suit.
Ensuring Proper Comfort
While the number one priority is to ensure proper protection, the chemical suit should also provide comfort for the person wearing it. A few of the important factors to consider include:
The Suit’s Dexterity: Those wearing a disposable suit still need to have the dexterity to carry out their jobs. When working with disposable chemicals, fine movements need to be made to ensure the chemicals end up in the right location. The suit should provide the wearer with enough dexterity to carry out these tasks.
The Breathability of the Suit: Next, the suit needs to have appropriate ventilation. Often, disposable suits are heavy. Therefore, those wearing the suit may end up overheating quickly. In order to prevent this from happening, the suit should be breathable. If the suit doesn’t have the proper ventilation, the wearer will get tired and dehydrated quickly.
Suit Support: Finally, the suit needs to provide proper support. Specifically, this support needs to be placed in the lower body. Often, the lower body is neglected when designing a disposable suit; however, the lower body plays a critical role when someone works with disposable chemicals. The chemical suit should provide lower body support.
Choosing a Protective Chemical Suit
Above all else, the suit needs to provide proper protection. In order to locate a suit that is compliant with all relevant regulations, there are a few factors to consider. These include:
Barrier Protection: The first job of a chemical suit is to act as a barrier. Some suits might be too thin to protect the skin against caustic chemicals. Ensure the suit can stand up to whatever it is exposed to.
Adequate Resistance Testing: Finally, make sure the suit has been rigorously tested and can stand up to all relevant chemicals. Some suits have been rated to protect against some chemicals but not others. The suit needs to be tested thoroughly so that the wearer can make an informed decision.
The Escape of Vapors: While suits need to protect against chemicals from the outside, they also need to vent vapors from the inside. If the suit is too thick, vapors might end up getting trapped inside the suit. This can pose a serious safety hazard. Ensure vapors are able to escape from the suit.
The Durability of the Suit
Too often, the durability of the yellow chemical suit is forgotten. Some tasks are going to take longer than others. The suit needs to be able to protect the wearer from start to finish. Some of the factors that will impact the suit’s durability include:
Tear Resistance: Some suits tear easily, exposing the wearer to serious hazards. Other suits are built with elastic bands that will prevent the suit from tearing while still allowing the user to bend.
Removing Seams: When suits tear, this usually takes place at the seams. When suits have fewer seams, they are less likely to tear.
Preventing Absorption: Some suits are designed to be absorbent; however, if they reach their limit, liquids will leak into the suit. Instead, chemical suits should be designed to deflect liquids instead of soaking them up.
A chemical suit needs to balance protection with durability and comfort.
Earle Garza is an Alabama-based health expert and writer with years of experience in the health and wellness field. He obtained his degree in nutrition science from the University of Alabama and has worked in various health clinics and spas throughout the Southeast, providing nutrition and lifestyle advice to clients. Earle is passionate about promoting healthy habits through nutrition and sharing his knowledge through his blog, which provides practical tips on leading a healthy lifestyle.