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Protecting Against Measles Outbreak

U.S. Measles Outbreaks Hit Highest Level in More Than 25 Years. The CDC says 971 cases have been reported in the United States for 2019 as of May 30th 2019. With the outbreak of measles throughout the United States, it is more important than ever to be prepared. In addition to vaccination, First responders, as well as others can suit up in PPE to reduce person-to-person transmission of the virus between people, in the event of a measles outbreak.

Homeless Encampment Clean Out

Stay safe during homeless encampment clean outs. When cleaning out a homeless encampment, clean up crews and first responders are going to encounter a multitude of hazards. From Hypodermic needles and syringes to human waste and garbage, the most important thing a person can do is outfit themselves in proper PPE to protect themselves and their team. Homeless encampments continue to be a breeding ground for diseases such as Typhus and Hepatitis. Due to the amount of drug use, “poor sanitary conditions” including leftover and rotted food, human waste and hypodermic needles, first responders and cleanup crews need to be prepared. Blood-Borne pathogens are another risk during homeless encampment cleanup.

Ebola Safety and PPE

Ebola has continued to be a problem throughout Africa. Over the years we have continued to see outbreaks on the African continent. In the healthcare settings, the Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola or with communal objects (e.g., bathroom surfaces, medical equipment) that have been contaminated with infectious blood or body fluids. The Ebola virus in blood and body fluids can enter a person’s body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth. It is very important for all healthcare workers caring for patients with Ebola, PPE that fully covers skin and clothing and prevents any exposure of the eyes, nose, and mouth, as well as open wounds, such as cuts on hands, it is recommended to reduce the risk of accidental self-contamination of mucous membranes or broken skin. All proper PPE must be used in the context of a comprehensive infection control program that follows CDC recommendations and applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) requirements, including the Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030)external icon, PPE (29 CFR 1910.132)external icon, and Respiratory Protection (20 CFR 1910.134)external icon standards, and other requirements under OSHA (e.g., the General Duty Clause, section 5(a)(1); and prohibitions against discrimination or retaliation against workers, section 11(c)). Ebola can be fatal and it is highly recommended if you think you have been exposed to the Ebola virus to receive immediate medical attention. To protect healthcare workers who are caring for patients with Ebola, healthcare facilities must provide onsite management and oversight of adherence to safely using PPE, and implement administrative and environmental controls with continuous safety checks through direct observation of healthcare workers, including during the PPE donning and doffing steps.

NFPA Standards

NFPA1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents (2016 Edition) This is one of the highest safety standards on the books, calling for fully encapsulated chemical protection covering 100% of the wearer’s body. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is absolutely necessary when using protection of this caliber. The chemical barrier must be broad, emcompassing liquids and gases, toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The protection must be gas-tight and hold up under pressure, with limited flame resistance. The standard is consistent with EPA/OSHA Level A.

NFPA1992: “Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies” (2018 Edition) This is the standard for protective coverall garments that feature penetration barriers against liquids (not vapors). The garment can be one- or multi-piece, as long as it passes the relevant tests. Garments can be certified by themselves or as an ensemble (with specific respirators or other accessories). The standard is consistent with EPA/OSHA Level B.

NFPA1994: “Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents” (2018 Edition) This is standard is divided into four “classes” of protective ensembles: Class 1 ensembles protect emergency first responders in situations that involve vapor or liquid chemical hazards in concentrations that are considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). Self-contained breathing apparati (SCBA) are required in these environments.
Class 2 ensembles provide limited protection to first responders in situations where vapor or liquid chemical hazards are at or above IDLH levels. These situations require SCBA equipment as well.
Class 3 ensembles provide limited protection to first responders when hazard levels are below IDLH levels, allowing for the use of air-purifying respirators that aren’t necessarily self-contained.
Class 4 ensembles provide limited protection to first responders in situations with particulate hazards at concentrations below IDLH. Biological and radiological particulate should be protected from in this class, and air-purifying respirators are usable as well.

NFPA2112: “Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire” (2018 Edition) This standard dictates the minimum performance requirements for flame-resistant garments. Garments are subjected to tests that gauge their thermal insulation, heat stability, flame engulfment resistance, and the stability of the components (threads, zippers, etc.). To be compliant, garments must achieve a 50% or less predicted body burn, extinguish flames on their surfaces quickly and resist melting, and be appropriately and clearly labeled.

ASTM International (ASTM) Standards

ASTM F903 - 18 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids"
This test method is used to test specimens of protective clothing and candidate materials and constructions to be used in protective clothing. The resistance to visible penetration of the test liquid is determined with the liquid in continuous contact with the normally outside surface of the test specimen.

ASTM F739 - 12e1 "Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous Contact"
This test method measures the permeation of liquids and gases through protective clothing materials under the condition of continuous contact.

ASTM F1671 / F1671M - 13 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System "
This test method is used to measure the resistance of materials used in protective clothing to penetration by blood-borne pathogens using a surrogate microbe under conditions of continuous liquid contact. Protective clothing material pass/fail determinations are based on the detection of viral penetration.

ASTM F2815 - 10(2014) "Standard Practice for Chemical Permeation through Protective Clothing Materials: Testing Data Analysis by Use of a Computer Program"
This practice covers the calculations of all the permeation parameters related to Test Method F739, ISO 6529, and Practice D6978 standards by use of a computer program, referred to as “Permeation Calculator” (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007?–?143c).

ASTM F1407 - 12(2017) "Test method for resistance of chemical protective clothing materials to liquid permeation - permeation cup method"
This test Method A definitive procedure that produces a test result: Examples of test methods include, but are not limited to: identification, measurement, and evaluation of one or more qualities, characteristics, or properties. A precision and bias statement shall be reported at the end of a test method.

ASTM F1383 - 12e1 "Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Intermittent Contact"
This test Method A definitive procedure that produces a test result: Examples of test methods include, but are not limited to: identification, measurement, and evaluation of one or more qualities, characteristics, or properties. A precision and bias statement shall be reported at the end of a test method.

ASTM F1494 - 14 "Standard Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing"
This standard defines the specialized terms used in standards developed by Committee F23 on Protective Clothing.

ASTM F1001 - 12(2017) "Standard Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Materials"
This guide establishes a recommended list of challenge chemicals to encourage those who evaluate chemical protective clothing to test a minimum number of chemicals in common. This list will simplify the comparison of data from different sources. This guide may also serve material developers or evaluators in screening candidate protective clothing materials.

ASTM F1194 - 18 "Standard Guide for Documenting the Results of Chemical Permeation Testing of Materials Used in Protective Clothing"
This guide provides a format for documenting information and performance data to encourage thorough and consistent documentation from a permeation test. Uniform information and performance data increase the likelihood of selecting proper chemical protective clothing material (CPC) by permitting direct comparisons of one product with another.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards

29 CFR 1910.1030 "Bloodborne pathogens"
This standard shall specify the minimum responsibilities of an employer to provide PPE such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices when an employee is potential exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Please note that there are 28 OSHA-approved occupational safety and health State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as federal OSHA’s and may have different or more stringent standards related to PPE. More information about State Plans and their standards is available at: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

ISO 6529:2013 "Protective clothing -- Protection against chemicals -- Determination of resistance of protective clothing materials to permeation by liquids and gases"
ISO 6529:2013 describes laboratory test methods to determine the resistance of materials used in protective clothing, including gloves and including footwear, when the footwear is an integral part of the clothing, to permeation by liquid or gaseous chemicals under the conditions of either continuous or intermittent contact. Method A is applicable to testing against liquid chemicals, either volatile or soluble in water, expected to be in continuous contact with the protective clothing material. Method B is applicable to testing against gaseous chemicals expected to be in continuous contact with the protective clothing material. Method C is applicable to testing against gaseous and liquid chemicals, either volatile or soluble in water, expected to be in intermittent contact with the protective clothing material. These test methods assess the permeation resistance of the protective clothing material under laboratory conditions in terms of breakthrough time, permeation rate and cumulative permeation. These test methods also enable qualitative observations to be made of the effects of the test chemical on the material under test. These test methods are only suitable for measuring permeation by liquids and gases. These test methods address only the performance of materials or certain materials' constructions (e.g. seams).