PPE don and doff

The correct procedure for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) involves several key steps to ensure safety and prevent contamination. Employers should establish a written PPE program that includes donning and doffing procedures, and PPE training and proper fitting [2] [2] [2]

Here are general guidelines for donning and doffing PPE:

1. Donning PPE:

• PPE should be donned in a clean area to avoid contamination.
• Follow a specific order for donning, typically starting with the most protective gear (e.g., respirators) and ending with items like gloves.
• Ensure each item is correctly fitted and adjusted. 2. Doffing PPE:
• Doff PPE in a designated area to contain contamination.
• Use a specific order for doffing, generally the reverse of donning, with the most contaminated items removed last (e.g., gloves).
• Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing gloves and after removing all PPE.
• Dispose of or decontaminate PPE properly after removal.

Additionally, employees must be trained in the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE. Protective clothing and equipment must be decontaminated, cleaned, laundered, maintained, or replaced as needed to maintain their effectiveness [4] [4] [6]

For work involving hazardous substances, employees must remove all gross contamination from their protective clothing before leaving the regulated area and remove their protective clothing in the equipment room. If non-impermeable clothing becomes wetted with hazardous substances, employees should immediately remove that clothing and proceed to shower. The clothing should be disposed of or decontaminated before it is removed from the work zone. [1] [1] [7] [7]

Employers must ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is readily accessible at the worksite or is issued to employees. All personal protective equipment must be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition, and defective or damaged personal protective equipment must not be used [3] [5] [5]