Emergency Preparedness

P REFERRED S TAFF P ROTECTION IN C HEMICAL D ECONTAMINATION

L EVEL OF P ROTECTION

PPE

T RAINING

PPE = Personal Protective Equipment

 Operations Training should be structured pursuant to applicable hazardous waste operations and emergency response standards, which may include:  Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques.  Know how to select and use proper PPE provided to the first responder operational level.  An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms.  Know how to perform basic control, containment, and/or confinement operations and rescue injured or contaminated persons within the capabilities of the resources and PPE available with their unit.  Know how to implement basic equipment, victim, and rescue personnel decontamination procedures.  An understanding of the relevant standard  Awareness Training as outlined under Minimum Level Protection  Respiratory protection program (OSHA)  Hospital-specific decontamination policy and procedure training operating procedures and termination procedures.

P REFERRED P ROTECTION PPE Level: C

L IQUID SPLASH PROTECTION  Full face shield  Chemical-resistant gloves*  Chemical-resistant suit*  Waterproof, chemical- resistant boots* R ESPIRATORY PROTECTION  Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) with loose fitting hood and appropriate filter cartridge* or  Air Purifying Respirator (APR) with appropriate filter cartridge*  Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) with loose fitting hood * Note : The selection of specific types of cartridges or filters, chemical resistant suits, gloves and boots are determined by the contaminant to which exposure is encountered. The type of equipment obtained and utilized by the hospital should be based on the hazard vulnerability analysis and community risk. All respiratory PPE plans should include staff monitoring pre-event, during, and post -event or

These preferred PPE recommendations provide hazardous materials protection in the following situations:  Non-ambulatory patients or ambulatory patients requiring direct assistance.  Potential or actual staff contact or exposure to the contaminant is anticipated  For decontamination purposes, Level C is adequate unless there is a known contraindication for the filter cartridge in the PAPR or AP R. Note : If the event or the chemical exposure exceeds the preferred protection and safe patient decontamination, and staff protection cannot be assured, policy decisions should include:  Remove staff and Lock down of facility to protect patients and staff may be required.  Call for assistance from 9-1- 1 or hazardous materials teams.  Provide personal protective equipment listed in “Specialized Protection”. uncontaminated patients from the area and do not provide decontamination.

S PECIALIZED S TAFF P ROTECTION IN C HEMICAL D ECONTAMINATION

L EVEL OF P ROTECTION

PPE

T RAINING

Patient Decontamination Recommendations for Hospitals v July 2005 330