PPE Quick-Select Guide
Which gloves, eyewear, and respirator for which task — by chemical class and exposure level. Hazard-driven, not catalog-driven.
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Task-based PPE selection
Start with SDS Section 8. Then use this card to translate the SDS into a concrete picklist for the task. When the task isn’t listed, default UP — never down.
| Task | Eye | Glove | Body | Foot | Respiratory | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily mopping w/ neutral cleaner | Safety glasses | Nitrile, disposable | Standard uniform | Slip-resistant | None required | Wet-floor signage required. |
| Mixing dilutable concentrate from drum/jug | Splash goggles + face shield | Nitrile 8-mil or neoprene | Apron + uniform | Slip-resistant | None if covered enclosure; vapor cartridge if open mix indoors | Most splash injuries happen here, not during use. |
| Bleach use (1:10 to 1:48) | Splash goggles | Nitrile 8-mil or neoprene | Apron | Slip-resistant | None if dilute; cartridge if confined space | Confined space + bleach = ventilation review. |
| Acid descaler (HCl, sulfamic) on hard surface | Splash goggles + face shield | Neoprene or butyl, 11+ mil | Chemical apron | Acid-resistant boots | Acid-gas cartridge in poorly ventilated areas | Pre-wet surface; never dry-apply concentrated acid. |
| Alkaline floor stripper (pH 12–13) | Splash goggles + face shield | Neoprene or butyl, 11+ mil | Chemical apron + sleeves | Slip-resistant + waterproof | Organic vapor cartridge in confined areas | Strippers contain monoethanolamine — irritant by inhalation. |
| Quat disinfectant application (use-dilution) | Safety glasses | Nitrile, disposable | Standard uniform | Slip-resistant | None at use-dilution | Quats are sensitizers — replace gloves at any tear. |
| Solvent degreaser (parts cleaning, mineral spirits) | Splash goggles | Nitrile 14+ mil or PVA-laminate | Apron | Slip-resistant | Organic vapor cartridge (P100/OV) | Latex and thin nitrile are not adequate. Verify with glove-chart. |
| Hydrogen peroxide / PAA disinfectant (>2%) | Splash goggles + face shield | Nitrile 8-mil or neoprene | Apron | Slip-resistant | Vapor cartridge for high-concentration / spray | PAA odor threshold is well below OSHA limit — strong smell = leave. |
| Confined-space cleaning (pit, tank, sump) | Splash goggles | Per chemistry | Per chemistry | Slip-resistant | Per atmospheric test (often SCBA / supplied-air) | OSHA permit-required confined space rule applies. Don’t enter without entry permit. |
| Restroom deep clean (acid bowl cleaner) | Splash goggles + face shield | Nitrile 8-mil or neoprene | Apron | Slip-resistant | Acid-gas cartridge in tight stalls | Never combine with bleach — chlorine gas. Separate days or fully rinse. |
Glove material × chemistry quick matrix
Legend
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OK | Recommended — passes 8-hour permeation |
| ~ | Acceptable for short contact / splash only |
| !! | Avoid — significant breakthrough <1 hr |
| X | Do not use — rapid breakthrough / failure |
Choose glove material by what’s in the chemical, not by what’s on the box. Permeation data lives in the manufacturer’s chart; use this card for first-pass selection.
| Chemistry | Latex | Nitrile (thin disposable) | Nitrile 8+ mil | Neoprene | Butyl | PVA | Viton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-based detergents | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Dilute quat (use-dilution) | !! | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Bleach (1:10 use-dilution) | !! | ~ | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Bleach (concentrated 8.25%) | X | !! | ~ | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Acids — HCl, sulfamic (dilute) | X | !! | OK | OK | OK | X | OK |
| Acids — concentrated | X | X | !! | OK | OK | X | OK |
| Caustics — NaOH, KOH | X | !! | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Alkaline stripper / degreaser | X | !! | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Alcohols (IPA, ethanol) | ~ | ~ | OK | OK | OK | X | OK |
| Ketones (acetone, MEK) | X | X | X | X | OK | X | X |
| Chlorinated solvents (PERC, TCE) | X | X | X | X | !! | X | OK |
| Aliphatic petroleum (mineral spirits) | X | X | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene) | X | X | X | !! | !! | OK | OK |
| Hydrogen peroxide (3–8%) | ~ | ~ | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Peracetic acid (PAA, dilute) | X | !! | OK | OK | OK | X | OK |
Reading SDS Section 8
1. Exposure limits: OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV, NIOSH REL. Compare with your expected airborne concentration to determine if respiratory protection is required.
2. Engineering controls: Ventilation requirements. If the SDS specifies “local exhaust” and you have none, you need a respirator OR engineering upgrade.
3. Eye/face protection: “Safety glasses” vs. “chemical splash goggles” vs. “face shield.” Read literally; do not substitute downward.
4. Skin protection: Glove material called out by name (nitrile, butyl, etc.) and minimum thickness in mils. Use the manufacturer’s permeation chart for breakthrough.
5. Respiratory protection: Cartridge type (organic vapor, acid gas, P100, etc.) and APF (assigned protection factor). If not specified, contact the manufacturer.
If Section 8 is silent on a control, default to the most protective option in that category until you can verify with the manufacturer.
2. Engineering controls: Ventilation requirements. If the SDS specifies “local exhaust” and you have none, you need a respirator OR engineering upgrade.
3. Eye/face protection: “Safety glasses” vs. “chemical splash goggles” vs. “face shield.” Read literally; do not substitute downward.
4. Skin protection: Glove material called out by name (nitrile, butyl, etc.) and minimum thickness in mils. Use the manufacturer’s permeation chart for breakthrough.
5. Respiratory protection: Cartridge type (organic vapor, acid gas, P100, etc.) and APF (assigned protection factor). If not specified, contact the manufacturer.
If Section 8 is silent on a control, default to the most protective option in that category until you can verify with the manufacturer.
ANSI Z358.1 — Eyewash / safety shower siting
10-second travel time from any area where hazardous chemical is handled. Approximately 55 feet, unobstructed, on the same level.
Flow rates:
Eyewash: 0.4 gpm (1.5 L/min), 15 minutes minimum
Combination unit eyewash side: 0.4 gpm
Safety shower: 20 gpm (75.7 L/min), 15 minutes minimum
Temperature: tepid (60–100°F / 16–38°C).
Weekly: Activate plumbed units to flush stale water and verify flow. Annually: Full ANSI Z358.1 inspection — flow, pattern, temperature, signage, clearance.
Signage: Visible from any approach. Pictogram-based — readable without translation.
Flow rates:
Eyewash: 0.4 gpm (1.5 L/min), 15 minutes minimum
Combination unit eyewash side: 0.4 gpm
Safety shower: 20 gpm (75.7 L/min), 15 minutes minimum
Temperature: tepid (60–100°F / 16–38°C).
Weekly: Activate plumbed units to flush stale water and verify flow. Annually: Full ANSI Z358.1 inspection — flow, pattern, temperature, signage, clearance.
Signage: Visible from any approach. Pictogram-based — readable without translation.
Common PPE failures
Most PPE incidents are program failures, not equipment failures. Audit for these patterns first; the gear itself is rarely the problem.
| Failure pattern | Why it matters / what to do |
|---|---|
| Buying gloves by box price instead of by chemistry | Thin disposable nitrile is for low-risk tasks only. Match thickness and material to the SDS Section 8 entry. |
| Reusing torn or stretched gloves | Once breached, the chemical reaches skin in seconds. Replace at any tear, regardless of remaining shift time. |
| Safety glasses where goggles are required | Splash from below clears safety glasses. Goggles seal to the face — use them whenever pouring or mixing. |
| Eyewash station 30+ seconds from work zone | ANSI Z358.1 requires 10-second travel time, unobstructed. Re-walk the path quarterly with a stopwatch. |
| Dust mask substituted for cartridge respirator | N95 protects against particulates only. Vapors and gases require organic-vapor, acid-gas, or formaldehyde cartridges. |
| PPE assigned but no respirator fit-test on file | 29 CFR 1910.134 requires fit-testing before first use and annually. No fit-test = no protection. |
Program checks that catch these failures:
Monthly — Walk every work zone with a stopwatch; verify eyewash travel time. Spot-check glove inventory against current task list.
Quarterly — Re-review SDS Section 8 for every chemical in active use. Confirm cartridge inventory matches active chemistries.
Annually — Respirator fit-test renewal (29 CFR 1910.134), full ANSI Z358.1 inspection, PPE program review against current chemical inventory.
Monthly — Walk every work zone with a stopwatch; verify eyewash travel time. Spot-check glove inventory against current task list.
Quarterly — Re-review SDS Section 8 for every chemical in active use. Confirm cartridge inventory matches active chemistries.
Annually — Respirator fit-test renewal (29 CFR 1910.134), full ANSI Z358.1 inspection, PPE program review against current chemical inventory.
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