Why Using PPE in Biohazard Damage Restoration Is Important

 

We use chemical-resistant personal protective equipment, or PPE, to do the job the right way.

We Protect You and Our Crew With PPE

When it comes to the health and safety of the Live Green Restoration crew and our customers, we are dedicated to always maintaining a safe work environment. That is why each mold remediation job (and some extreme fire jobs) we service, you will find everyone in a PPE suit.

Before we begin any restoration work, a risk assessment should be done to determine any potential health hazards that may be encountered. It takes more than just leather work gloves and coveralls to protect our crew when dealing with water restoration cleanups and mold remediation jobs. Personal protective equipment is not an option – it is a requirement.

These advanced suits are specifically made to protect us from any harmful exposure to things like smoke, ash and mold spores. Read on to see why it is important to use PPE suits when restoring your property.

What Are PPE Suits?

PPE suits, also known as personal protective equipment, is worn to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause serious injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses can even result from contact with chemical hazards, smoke, dealing with bloodborne pathogens and even being exposed to mold. Personal protective equipment also includes items like chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles and shoes cover, and entire body suits.

These safety suits and equipment have avoided many harmful injuries. It is always a good idea to wear one to prevent contaminated materials from making contact with a crew member. We use top notch medical-grade brands for our water damage and mold remediation technicians to use.      

Why Are They So Important?

Safety is always top priority number one for workers as well as residents (and their pets). We always abide to all state regulations as well as those from OSHA. Besides going by the book, there are several potential health risks associated with any water damage and its cleanup:

•                     Bacteria and viruses

•                     Chemical contaminants

•                     Lead or asbestos dust

•                     Mold and mold spores

•                     Respiratory concerns (the inhalation of contaminants and toxins found in materials)

Because of these health risks, the DIY person should always seek professional help when dealing with any kind of water damage. You never know what may be lurking in the water that has affected your home. The best advice is to back away from the affected area and call in an expert.

Safety First!

Personal protective equipment as well as is designed to protect you by guarding the possible entry points into your body. Trained and certified water damage technicians understand the importance of protective equipment and know what and when conditions require the different kinds of PPE. Your body’s most common entry points are the eyes, the nose, the mouth, through contact with the skin, and by ingestion.

Once you understand the different ways in which a person can be exposed to harmful contaminants, you can understand the different types of protective equipment and why they are necessary. Every water damage will be unique in that you never know what contaminants may be present. A clean water loss (or what we call category 1 water) will present very different circumstances than say, a sewage loss (category 3) or a mold remediation.

Once our lead technician inspects the home or office building, they will know immediately what category the water damage falls under, where the cause of the leak is and what the next steps are to getting back to the way it was. Some water damage situations may need personal protective equipment, but all mold remediation jobs are required to use.  

The Pieces That Make Up PPE

PPE varies by manufacturer, the specific model, and how the item is intended to be used. Each situation presents unique exposure dangers. Below is a list of personal protective equipment that may be necessary to protect from harmful contaminants:

1.       Safety glasses – goggles provide eye protection from chemical splashes or projectiles and should completely seal around the eyes. In place of goggles, a face shield may be used.

2.       Respirator – these are equipped with a filter and cartridge that removes specific contaminants from the air that is being breathed in. It reduces the amount of toxins entering the lungs greatly.

3.       Chemical-resistant gloves – these gloves can be made from nitrile (most commonly used), latex, neoprene, or rubber. It is sometimes recommended to wear a pair of leather work gloves over top of one of these types

4.       Protective clothing – whenever there is possible exposure to chemicals or contaminants protective clothing should be worn. In addition to just a body covering suit, these always include hoods and feet covers.

PPE and Mold

Mold remediation can cause mold spores to become airborne. When this happens there is an increased risk of mold spore inhalation. Respirators with N-95 cartridges must be used by anyone residing or working in the affected area. Full face shields or goggles, entire body suits and gloves are also used to protect the eyes, mouth and skin along with disposable protective clothing that we use.

Personal protective equipment as well as is designed to protect you by guarding the possible entry points into your body. Trained and certified water damage technicians understand the importance of protective equipment and know what and when conditions require the different kinds of PPE. Your body’s most common entry points are the eyes, the nose, the mouth, through contact with the skin, and by ingestion.

Understanding Why Live Green Restoration Takes It Seriously

Once you understand the different ways in which a person can be exposed to harmful contaminants, you can understand the different types of protective equipment and why they are necessary. Every water damage will be unique in that you never know what contaminants may be present. A clean water loss (or what we call category 1 water) will present very different circumstances than say, a sewage loss (category 3) or a mold remediation. If you have water damage or mold, please contact us at (661) 390-8255. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.