All about chemical protection suits

According to the Labor Code, every employee working in an enterprise with a high level of danger must be provided with personal protective equipment, both clothing and accessories. Where oil products, alkalis, acids, solvents and so on are dealt with, special chemical protection suits are vital. It is these attributes that will be discussed in this article. We will consider everything about chemical protection suits: we will define the features, types, popular models, and also tell you how to properly use and put on such overalls.

The chemical protection suit is so called because it is developed and thoroughly tested to protect the human body and organs from the effects of various chemical and toxic substances. The need for this clothing increased during the period of active development of industry. The first such suits could not boast of the level of human protection, but now modern models, thanks to the use of modern technologies and materials in the sewing process, guarantee maximum protection.

The chemical protection suit has found wide application today, it is necessary in such areas of activity as:

• transportation - there are times when it is necessary to move chemical substances, very toxic, radioactive, by any means of transport; protective clothing is necessary for personnel who are directly involved in this;
• oil industry;
• chemical industry.

According to regulatory documents, it should consist of several parts.

• Overalls - the main element of the kit. For its manufacture, especially durable materials are used, which must necessarily be heat-resistant and moisture-resistant. The jumpsuit covers the entire body and is characterized by strength and mechanical resistance. It is anti-allergenic and easy to disinfect.
• Shoes... These are high boots, for the manufacture of which rubber, cast iron (sole) or synthetics are used. They are resistant to alkalis, acids, solvents.
• Mittens... They are made of durable, resistant material. According to the rules, they should fit very tightly to the hand.

The product may include other elements., it all depends on the type of activity in which such clothes are used. Some suits can be equipped with a special mask, while others provide for the use of a gas mask.

Protective chemical suits can differ in many parameters - size, color, physical and technical parameters, purpose. They are divided into three groups.

• Insulating... Such suits are designed to protect a person from substances that are in a liquid or gaseous state. They completely isolate the employee from the external environment, harmful substances, and are used in emergency situations. The design of the suit can be open, capsule or spacesuit.

• Filtering... Toxic and corrosive substances cannot affect the human body when wearing such a protective suit. They are characterized by bactericidal and fungicidal properties.They are used in the elimination of accidents, their consequences, sometimes in the process of repair work.

• Acid-protective... They are in great demand in various fields of activity. Aggressive organic and mineral acids - the suit protects the body from the effects of such substances.

There are also disposable chemical protection suits on the market. They differ in material of manufacture, thickness, which is much less, and purpose. They can be used, for example, in the process of painting.

The range of chemical protection products today is very diverse, and there are also many manufacturers. We would like to offer you some of the most popular and reliable models from the most well-established companies.

• Heat-resistant insulating suit "Strelets KIO TASK"... This model is often used in fire brigades and emergency rescuers. This yellow radiation suit prevents exposure to the human body of aggressive toxic substances, alkalis, gases. It consists of a jumpsuit, boots, rubber gloves, a vest for a balloon.

• Product L-1. This model has found wide application in the chemical industry with constant contact with acids of varying concentration. It can be used as PPE in the elimination of accidents, when working with toxic substances. The suit is compact and comfortable, made of durable and reliable material.

• Tyvek 600 Plus. The white Tyvek suit is an ideal personal protective equipment for contact with inorganic chemicals, harmful and toxic substances, acids, gases. It is designed and developed using the newest and most modern technologies.

Each of the chemical protection suits must be accompanied by quality certificate, which is a confirmation that the clothes are made in accordance with all the rules and requirements of the Labor Code, comply with the norms and have passed the necessary and statutory laboratory tests. When buying, you should always be interested in the availability of documents, carefully study them.

To ensure that the protective suit protects the body as much as possible from the aggressive effects of chemicals, it must be worn correctly. Follow the instructions below:

• the lower part of clothing, pants or stockings, put on directly on the shoes that are already on you;
• the pants are fixed in the knee area, tightened;
• then the upper part of the suit is put on; well fastened and fixed;
• according to the rules, then you need to put on a gas mask;
• after, already on a gas mask, a hood or a protective cap is put on;
• at the last stage, you need to put on and fix gloves.

For an overview of the Strelei Light suit, see below.