Features of protective coveralls

Protective clothing is one of the most popular ways to protect the human body from environmental influences. This includes overalls, aprons, suits and robes. Let's take a closer look at the overalls.

A jumpsuit is a piece of clothing that connects a jacket and trousers that fits snugly to the body. Depending on the level of protection, it may have a hood with a respirator or face mask.

The characteristics differ depending on the model, but the general ones can be distinguished:

• resistance to chemicals;
• strength;
• impermeability to liquids;
• comfort in use.

The colors of the protective clothing must meet specific requirements:

• resistance to pollution during construction, locksmith and similar works (white, gray, dark blue, black);
• visibility in hazardous conditions (orange, yellow, green, bright blue).

Different types of workwear correspond to one of four levels of protection.

1. Level A. It is used for better protection of the skin and respiratory organs. This is a fully insulated coverall with a full hood and a respirator.
2. Level B. Needed for high breathing protection and low - the body. A semi-overalls with a jacket and a face mask are usually used.
3. Level C. Overalls with a hood, inner and outer gloves, and a filter mask are used in situations where the concentration of hazardous substances in the air is known and meets the criteria for workwear.
4. Level D. The minimum level of protection, saves only from dirt and dust. Regular breathable jumpsuit with hard hat or goggles.

Overalls are used in many industries. First of all, in construction, where workers are surrounded by a large amount of dust, dirt and harmful substances. Also in the chemical industry, agriculture, healthcare, the Ministry of Emergencies. Wherever there is a risk of harmful substances entering the body, the use of protective equipment is required.

Overalls are classified by the number of uses:

• disposables are designed to protect for a short period (usually 2 to 8 hours);
• reusable are recyclable and reused.

Overalls are also divided by purpose:

• filtering allows you to clean the penetrating air from harmful substances;
• insulating eliminates direct contact of the body with the environment.

High-strength fabrics from which suits are made should not allow moisture and air to pass through. The following materials are mainly used.

1. Polypropylene. Most often, disposable models are made from it, which are used in painting and plastering works. The material protects well from dirt, it is waterproof and resistant to high temperatures.
2. Polyethylene. Protects the skin from liquids (water, acids, solvents) and aerosols.
3. Microporous film. It is used most often in the pharmaceutical industry as it protects against chemicals.

There are 6 types of protective overalls.

• Type 1. Gas tight suits that provide protection from aerosols and chemicals.
• Type 2. Suits that protect against dust and liquids due to the accumulated pressure inside.
• Type 3. Waterproof coveralls.
• Type 4. Provide protection against liquid aerosols in the environment.
• Type 5. The highest protection against dust and particulate matter in the air.
• Type 6. Lightweight coveralls that protect against minor chemical splashes.

Before purchasing workwear, you need to conduct a risk analysis. For this, it is important to know in what area the overalls will be used and what harmful factors there are. Working with gases in a breathable suit is dangerous and even stupid, as well as in a water-permeable one - with liquids.

Most popular manufacturers.

1. Casper. Uses new technologies that exclude the ingress of microorganisms under the clothes.
2. Tyvek. Manufactures protective equipment from a membrane material, which makes the overalls breathable.
3. Lakeland. Produces multilayer overalls that can be used in almost all areas of activity.

It is important to consider the following factors:

• barrier protection;
• the material from which the jumpsuit was made;
• strength;
• the price, which ranges from 5 to 50 thousand rubles, depending on the functions;
• size, as wearing a suit that is small or large can limit mobility and affect safety;
• convenience.

Chemical, biological and radioactive contamination can seriously affect human health, therefore there are rules for the use of protective clothing.

Learning how to put on your jumpsuit is important.

1. This must be done in a special place. In production, a separate room is allocated, and at home you can use a spacious room such as a garage or a barn.
2. Before dressing, you must inspect the suit for damage.
3. Overalls are worn on other clothing that is close to the body, in the pockets of which there should be no foreign objects.
4. After the suit is on you, you need to fasten all the zippers and pull on the hood. Then they put on gloves and special shoes.
5. The edges of the garment must be secured with special adhesive tape. This will completely isolate the skin from harmful substances.

It is necessary to take off the suit with the help of:

• first, gloves and shoes are washed to exclude the contact with the skin of the substances on them;
• the mask and zippers on clothes are treated with a special solution;
• first remove the gloves, then the hood (it must be turned inside out);
• the jumpsuit is unbuttoned to the middle, after which they begin to pull it together, folding it with the front side inward;
• shoes are removed last.

Dispose of used clothing in accordance with the laws of your country. Most often, disposable clothing is disinfected and recycled, while reusable clothing is cleaned of contamination and reused.

An overview of the workwear of the "Casper" model in the video below.