A new International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) draft standard for chemical protective clothing has begun the consensus review process, and is now available for public review and comment (see comments). Draft ANSI/ISEA 103-200x is designed to help users select the appropriate protective apparel for a variety of chemical hazards, providing minimum performance classifications and labeling requirements.
Members of ISEA Protective Apparel Group developed this standard to present a testing philosophy based on garment category and performance level. This approach was modeled after activities ongoing within the European (CEN) and international (ISO) standards communities, and represents one of the first attempts at harmonizing testing and labeling of chemical protective clothing worldwide. Garment categories (e.g., US Category 1, gas-tight) are defined by matching the expected chemical exposure scenario with various material swatch and finished garment item test requirements. This standard uses multiple performance levels (e.g., three levels of performance for permeation testing) for the majority of properties. Thus the standard will provide the end-user with a tool that helps define adequate protection by matching a unique exposure scenario to a specific garment configuration (category) and a minimum level of performance (level).
According to ISEA technical director Janice Comer Bradley, CSP, "This standard will fill a gap in that's existed since OSHA issued its regulations for personal protective equipment." OSHA requires employers to conduct documented hazard assessments in the workplace, and select personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the hazard. "Although OSHA provides references to performance-based standards for certain types of PPE such as eye and face protection, until now there has been no consensus standard for the majority of chemical protective clothing worn by the US workforce," Bradley said.
The ANSI/ISEA 103 standard is applicable to the vast majority of chemical protective clothing used within industry including, but not limited to, the following applications: agricultural, chemical processing, hazardous materials redemption, pharmaceuticals operations, paint spraying, tank cleaning, laboratory operations, cleanroom operations, petrochemical operations, waste collection/recycling, general manufacturing, bulk chemical transfer/handling operations, general maintenance and clean-up, etc. It would not apply to hazardous materials or emergency response operations covered by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
To obtain a review copy of the draft standard contact Cristine Fargo, ISEA manager of standards programs. There is a $30 charge, payable by check or credit card.
Members of ISEA Protective Apparel Group developed this standard to present a testing philosophy based on garment category and performance level. This approach was modeled after activities ongoing within the European (CEN) and international (ISO) standards communities, and represents one of the first attempts at harmonizing testing and labeling of chemical protective clothing worldwide. Garment categories (e.g., US Category 1, gas-tight) are defined by matching the expected chemical exposure scenario with various material swatch and finished garment item test requirements. This standard uses multiple performance levels (e.g., three levels of performance for permeation testing) for the majority of properties. Thus the standard will provide the end-user with a tool that helps define adequate protection by matching a unique exposure scenario to a specific garment configuration (category) and a minimum level of performance (level).
According to ISEA technical director Janice Comer Bradley, CSP, "This standard will fill a gap in that's existed since OSHA issued its regulations for personal protective equipment." OSHA requires employers to conduct documented hazard assessments in the workplace, and select personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the hazard. "Although OSHA provides references to performance-based standards for certain types of PPE such as eye and face protection, until now there has been no consensus standard for the majority of chemical protective clothing worn by the US workforce," Bradley said.
The ANSI/ISEA 103 standard is applicable to the vast majority of chemical protective clothing used within industry including, but not limited to, the following applications: agricultural, chemical processing, hazardous materials redemption, pharmaceuticals operations, paint spraying, tank cleaning, laboratory operations, cleanroom operations, petrochemical operations, waste collection/recycling, general manufacturing, bulk chemical transfer/handling operations, general maintenance and clean-up, etc. It would not apply to hazardous materials or emergency response operations covered by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
To obtain a review copy of the draft standard contact Cristine Fargo, ISEA manager of standards programs. There is a $30 charge, payable by check or credit card.
Labels: PPE
1 Comments:
At 7:45 AM,
Steve Hudgik said…
Draft ANSI/ISEA 103-200x, Standard for Classification and Performance Requirements for
Chemical Protective Clothing
1. Scope
This standard establishes minimum performance classification and labeling requirements for protective clothing designed to provide protection against chemical hazards. Protective clothing items covered by this standard include, but may not be limited to, totally encapsulating suits, splash suits, coveralls, jackets, pants, aprons, smocks, hoods, sleeves, and shoe and boot covers.
This standard does not address gloves, boots, and respiratory protective devices unless they are an integral part of the protective clothing. This standard does not address biological, radiological, or thermal (hot or cold) hazards. Furthermore, this standard does not address specialized clothing used during hazardous chemical emergencies.
2. Purpose
This standard is intended to provide chemical protective clothing manufacturers with minimum requirements for testing, categorizing, and labeling chemical protective clothing. To assist the users of products covered under this standard, this document provides descriptions of referenced test methods. It is not the intent of this standard to address all situations.
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