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Recent developments and needs in materials used for personal protective equipment and their testing
Patricia I Dolez1, Toan Vu-Khanh
1Ecole de technologie supérieure, Montréal, QC, Canada. patricia.dolez@etsmtl.ca
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE) enhance workplace safety. This study explores new protective clothing technologies, addressing challenges like aging and realistic testing for advanced materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- The demand for advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) drives innovation in materials and manufacturing.
- Existing PPE faces limitations in protecting against diverse workplace hazards like heat, flames, mechanical, and chemical risks.
- Continuous research is essential to overcome challenges in PPE performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present novel technologies in protective clothing for heat, flame, mechanical, and chemical protection.
- To highlight current challenges, including service aging effects and the need for realistic use-condition testing methods.
- To discuss the application of nanomaterials and smart textiles in enhancing PPE capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent technological advancements in protective clothing materials and manufacturing.
- Analysis of emerging challenges in PPE performance and durability.
- Exploration of the potential of nanomaterials and smart textiles for future PPE applications.
Main Results:
- Introduction of new technologies for enhanced protection against thermal, mechanical, and chemical hazards.
- Identification of critical challenges such as service aging and the necessity for improved testing protocols.
- Discussion of the integration of nanomaterials and smart textiles to create next-generation PPE.
Conclusions:
- Technological advancements are crucial for improving protective clothing against workplace risks.
- Addressing challenges like aging and developing realistic testing methods are key to enhancing PPE effectiveness.
- Nanomaterials and smart textiles offer significant potential for future innovations in personal protective equipment.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is unique clothing or equipment worn by an employee to minimize or prevent exposure to infectious agents. PPE creates a barrier between the employee and the infectious materials. PPE must be readily available in the patient care area. PPE includes gloves, gowns and aprons, masks and respirators, goggles, face shields, shoes, and headcovers:
01:10PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they would interfere with removing other PPE. Then remove the gown, followed by the mask or respirator. Perform hand hygiene between steps if hands become contaminated and immediately after removing all PPE. Generally, the outside front and sleeves of the isolation gown, the goggles or the mask, the respirator, and the face shield are contaminated.
01:22PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning
Donning PPE must be completed before contact with the patient. This process protects from infectious agents. The sequence and action included in each donning are critical, and the steps must be systematic to avoid exposure to pathogens. The institutional policy also needs to be followed while donning PPE. The pre-donning preparations are gathering equipment, inspecting the PPE equipment for tears, holes, or damage, removing jewelry, removing any garments below the elbows, and tying the hair...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:26Standard Precaution
Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...