15 - GEST 92 171 Edition 6 - Personal Protective Equipment in The Chlorine Industry
15 - GEST 92 171 Edition 6 - Personal Protective Equipment in The Chlorine Industry
15 - GEST 92 171 Edition 6 - Personal Protective Equipment in The Chlorine Industry
Chlorine Industry
GEST 92/171
6th Edition
September 2019
Euro Chlor
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This document has been produced by the members of Euro Chlor and should not be reproduced in
whole or in part without the prior written consent of Euro Chlor.
It is intended to give only guidelines and recommendations. The information is provided in good
faith and was based on the best information available at the time of publication. The
information is to be relied upon at the user’s own risk. Euro Chlor and its members make no
guarantee and assume no liability whatsoever for the use and the interpretation of or the
reliance on any of the information provided.
This document was originally prepared in English by our technical experts. For our members’
convenience, it may have been translated into other EU languages by translators / Euro Chlor
members. Although every effort was made to ensure that the translations were accurate, Euro
Chlor shall not be liable for any losses of accuracy or information due to the translation process.
Prior to 1990, Euro Chlor’s technical activities took place under the name BITC (Bureau
International Technique du Chlore). References to BITC documents may be assumed to be to
Euro Chlor documents.
It has been assumed in the preparation of these publications that the users will
ensure that the contents are relevant to the application selected and are
correctly applied by appropriately qualified and experienced people for whose
guidance they have been prepared. The contents are based on the most
authoritative information available at the time of writing and on good
engineering, medical or technical practice but it is essential to take account of
appropriate subsequent developments or legislation. As a result, the text may be
modified in the future to incorporate evolution of these and other factors.
This edition of the document has been drawn up by the GEST (Safety Working
Group) to whom all suggestions concerning possible revision should be addressed
through the offices of Euro Chlor.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 5
3.1. Masks 14
3.2. The Self-Breathing Equipment 14
4. BODY PROTECTION 15
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION
This Recommendation is intended to provide information on most types of
personal protective equipment used in the manufacturing and handling of
chlorine, caustic (soda or potash), sulphuric/hydrochloric acid.
Caustic is usually present as aqueous solution, corrosive for eyes and skin. It can
also exist as solid, implying that during handling, dust can be accidentally
inhaled or come in contact with skin or eyes. An important factor to consider is
that the effect of exposure of the body is not always directly noticed which will
increase the severity of the injury due to the possible delay in intervention.
The protection against caustic has been included in the last Chapter covering
also briefly the protection against other more common chemicals used in the
chlorine industry (sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, hypochlorite, hydrogen
peroxide etc.).
This last chapter includes also the information to protect workers against the
specific electric risks in cell rooms and power supply area.
The different types of equipment mentioned in this paper are those generally
found in the chlorine industry.
Various organisations, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), The British Standards Institution
(BSI), and the Dutch Occupational Hygiene Society (DOHS) have proposed factors
for the different types of respirators available and these can be consulted for
the choice of the most appropriate protective solutions:
(http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDAR
DS&p_id=12716#1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) for OSHA).
The mask ensures the proper protection of the respiratory organs, eyes and face.
It is typically made up of the following elements (see Figure 1):
1. "Skirt"
2. Sealing lips
3. Glass
4. Interior half-mask
5. Head straps
6. Connection
7. Expiration valve
8. Inspiration valve on interior
half-mask
9. Inspiration valve
10. Phonic membrane
The panoramic mask is generally available in 3 different sizes so that it can suit
most users.
The seal depends almost exclusively on the "skirt" around the face; certain types
of skirts are equipped with sealing lips to improve tightness.
Due to face shape or facial hair, some people have difficulty in obtaining a
perfect seal. All users shall ensure they can maintain a perfect seal around their
mask prior to each use.
Almost all models can be equipped with special spectacle frames for use with
corrective lenses (Figures 3 below). With these spectacles, air-tightness is
optimal due to the absence of arms going all the way to the ears. However, the
spectacles position can be very fragile and lead to a decrease of vision comfort
(especially for people with stigmatisms). The use of ultraflat arms spectacles
going all the way to the ears is able to avoid this position problem, without
noticeable change of air-tightness, especially if the mask is a pressurised one.
The mask is fixed with a set of adjustable head straps or a net, which is more
comfortable; both systems permit the use of a helmet.
preferable to use a mask with a large outlet valve chamber to avoid toxic
gases entering the mask while breathing in.
The buyer should ensure that the mask is suitable for chlorine and conforms to
any national or company standard.
Remark: there are escape masks that do not protect the eyes (see Figure 4
below). These should only be used in the case of an emergency evacuation. They
are called 'Escape Masks". Escape masks must never be used for any
intervention!
The first mask on the left is also protecting against organic vapours (A) and the
other one against alkalis (K) (see point 2.2.4 below).
With this type of equipment, protection is obtained only if the three following
conditions are met:
The effective life of a filter can therefore not be specified. However, a number
of signs show when the cartridges have to be changed:
The filter should not be used after expiry date marked on it by the
manufacturer. It varies according to the type of filter, usually between 4 to 6
years.
Any unused filter which has been opened must be replaced within 6 months.
The suitable type is B. This type can be associated with other protection: A
(organics), K (alkalis like ammonia and amines) and/or E (dust) shown in the
following diagram.
ABEK
AB BKE
A B K E
* Be aware that H2S is an olfactory anaesthetic and that smell cannot be used to
indicate breakthrough.
➢ Closed circuit apparatus: the expired air is purified of its carbon dioxide,
enriched with oxygen from a bottle contained within the equipment and
re-injected into the breathing circuit;
➢ Open-circuit apparatus: the expired air is exhausted through a valve into
the ambient air.
The advantage of this type of equipment is its large autonomy. There are,
however, three disadvantages for the user:
The air is used only once; there are three types of open-circuit breathing
apparatus:
➢ Self-contained apparatus;
➢ Apparatus with external air supply;
➢ Combined apparatus.
The breathing air must be free of unwanted contaminants and must comply with
the requirements of breathing air (oxygen of 19 to 23 %; hydrocarbons
(condensed) of 5 mg/m3 or less; carbon monoxide may not exceed 10 ppm;
carbon dioxide not higher than 1000 ppm; lack of noticeable odour). The
location of the compressor intake is critical to the purity of the compressed air.
The compressor must be located in an area uncontaminated by either
combustion exhaust gases or by other gases from plant processes. Compressors
should be equipped with in-line air purifying sorbent beds, filters and detection
systems, if needed, to ensure breathing air quality.
➢ With air supply actuator. The air supply is activated by the user; because
the mask is not permanently pressurised, care must be taken to ensure a
good seal between the mask and the face.
An alarm for low pressure in the air bottles is necessary for both systems.
This type of apparatus gives a large degree of autonomy for fixed work places.
They may also be used for longer continuous periods. The breathing resistance
and discomfort are minimal, and the system requires moderate initial costs and
relatively low operating costs. The temperature of the breathing air can also be
controlled (cool in hot periods and warm in cold seasons). On the other hand,
the trailing air supply severely restricts the wearer's mobility and may fail due to
hose damage.
This apparatus is sometimes equipped with a small air bottle to act as a back-up
in case of failure of the main air supply. If necessary, the user can disconnect
from the external supply and function autonomously, the mask remaining under
air supply during the time needed for evacuation. An alarm to indicate when the
spare air bottle is in use is an important safety feature.
For safety reasons, the air supply must be dedicated to this purpose with no
cross connection with any other gasses supply and use (including other air
supplies). The hose connection must be of a particular type of connection which
prevents use for other purposes.
With this equipment, the operator can penetrate a toxic atmosphere and reach
the work place connected to an air supply. Once connected to this supply, the
operator can then disconnect the self-contained equipment. A filter is then
necessary to ensure the safe switching from one system to the other.
In case of emergency, the operator can escape using the emergency spare
bottle.
When the mask is used collectively, it must be cleaned and disinfected after
each use according to the supplier's recommendations.
Masks must be identified and located in order to keep track of their maintenance
and use.
At least once a year, and preferably twice, a tightness test must be made. This
test, as well as cleaning, disinfection and maintenance must be carried out
according to supplier's instructions and by specialised and conscientious people.
4. BODY PROTECTION
4.1. Helmet, Boots and Gloves
opacity of the gas cloud, burning sensation and skin irritation etc, or following
possible national/local requirements.
The full protective clothing is usually coated with Viton® or Hypalon®. The last
one is also resistant to caustic and inorganic acids.
Note: even if of different colour, the booths and gloves are integrally sealed to
the full protective equipment.
Alternatively to the model here above, there are full protective gas suits with air
bottles placed outside the equipment.
Conditions of use
This means:
Apart from chlorine, production personnel must be protected against the risks
from other products such as: caustic soda, potassium hydroxide, hot brine,
steam, hypochlorite, mercury, sulphuric and hydrochloric acids …
Safety glasses (see picture below) are strongly recommended in all chemical
plants.
Safety glasses
Safety goggles
The safety glasses and the panoramic goggles allow the use of corrective lenses.
Safety glasses or goggles with additional face shield (see picture below) is also
uses, depending on the specific job risk assessment, for all interventions with a
real potential risk of exposure (opening a connection …) on circuits/equipment
containing corrosive liquids.
Face shield
Important note: it is important to precise that this part of the guideline targets
the production workers and not the electricians for which there exist specific
requirements.
Risks of electrical arc must be considered in the cell room and the electric
power supply area where voltages of several hundred volts are present on not-
insulated metallic conductors and cell parts.
It must be reminded that the electrolysis cells behave a bit like an electric
battery, keeping the voltage (and the risk) present for some time after the
power supply has been disconnected.
The access of the zones with electrical hazard should be restricted to authorised
and trained () personnel only. Additionally:
The possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields are treated in the
guideline Health 10 – Electromagnetic Fields in the Chlorine Electrolysis
units What an occupational physician should know.
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