Sharing is not caring… when it comes to arc flash PPE. For decades, workers have been sharing arc flash personal protective equipment, including suits, hoods and face shields but — to protect the safety and health of our workers — this age-old practice must stop immediately.
Workers who share PPE are at a higher risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. In this regard, sharing is not caring. Actually caring about our workers requires employers to issue individually assigned equipment. Any PPE, tools, or equipment that must be shared among workers must first be cleaned and disinfected before each use.
Sharing vs. Individually Issued
The best way to protect workers from cross-contamination is to stop sharing arc flash PPE. Suit hoods and face shields are particularly high-risk due to their proximity to the worker’s mouth and nose. Every time you exhale, cough, or sneeze, your bodily fluids can be deposited onto the interior surface of the shield and/or fabric. Even outerwear garments, such as suit coats, can become contaminated when workers dutifully and conscientiously cough or sneeze into their arm. The safest solution is to individually assign all arc flash PPE, and prohibit workers from sharing any PPE that cannot be effectively cleaned and disinfected before each use.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
In all situations where PPE, tools, and equipment are used by workers, employers must ensure all surfaces that can be touched have been cleaned and disinfected. However, cleaning is not the same as disinfecting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define cleaning vs. disinfecting as follows:
- Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
- Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Can the Virus Survive on Arc Flash PPE?
Current evidence suggests the COVID-19 virus can survive on arc flash PPE and remain viable for hours up to days. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides additional guidance on survivability:
“It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).”
Can Arc Flash PPE be Disinfected?
There are both porous and non-porous surfaces with which we should be concerned. Equipment should be cleaned first, before it can be disinfected. Hard, non-porous surfaces, such as arc flash face shields, suit hood shield windows, hard hats and other plastic components can be disinfected using disinfectant sprays or wipes. Consult with the manufacturer before using any disinfectants because non-durable surfaces could be damaged.
For porous surfaces, such as arc-rated fabrics, proper cleaning can be an effective way to “wash out” the COVID-19 virus from clothing. All arc-rated garments must be removed from service and cleaned as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This process might include fully disassembling arc flash suit hoods to separate the fabric portion from the other hood components. The garments and the hood fabric portion should be washed according to the product labels, and thoroughly dried before its next use.
Home vs. Industrial Laundering
Both home laundering and industrial laundering services are acceptable. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult with the applicable ASTM Standard to ensure you don’t compromise the protective properties of your equipment; ASTM F2757 for Home Laundering, and ASTM F1449 for Industrial Laundering.
The CDC continues to update their website resources for cleaning and disinfecting, including a section on how to launder clothing. As time progresses, more information is becoming available, and new studies are being published. Follow the CDC for updates and best practices.
Summary of Recommendations
The current global pandemic acutely highlights the necessity to stop sharing arc flash PPE. We are dealing with a sober reality: Sharing PPE between workers should be prohibited, unless it can be cleaned and disinfected between uses. The risk of cross-contamination between workers is simply unacceptable.
There is currently no consensus as to how long the COVID-19 virus can remain on arc flash PPE surfaces, either porous or non-porous. For now — and for any future viruses — the safest, most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and keep our workers healthy is to individually assign arc flash PPE to every worker requiring it. We must all work together to help stem the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
(Note: This article is reprinted with permission, and was originally published on the author’s Linkedin page. It is based on the Oberon whitepaper titled, “Can Arc Flash PPE Be Shared Between Workers.”)
Pollard is the owner of Unlimited PPE, Inc. in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. He started the company in 2008 to provide specialized solutions including performing as an agent for Oberon Company.
