Key points
- When selecting and purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) consider the level of protection needed.
- Recommended PPE items should meet listed specifications.
- Consult the manufacturer or supplier to understand what specifications PPE meet.
Overview
Consult the manufacturer or supplier to understand what specifications PPE meet. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ for more information on these standards.
Respirators
Protect workers from breathing in small droplets and biological material from animal secretions (such as raw milk, saliva, and urine).
Prevent workers from touching their mouth and nose during work.
Eye protection
Goggles protect workers from getting small droplets and splashes in their eyes.
Goggles prevent workers from touching their eyes during work.
Face shields protect the worker’s face and respirator from splashes, but should not be used alone as they do not provide as much protection against droplets and smaller particles as goggles and a respirator.
Outer garments
Protect workers from getting animal secretions, droplets, and splashes on their skin, hair, or clothing.
Reduce the likelihood that later, after the worker has removed their PPE, they will touch contamination on their skin, hair, or clothing and then accidentally transfer it to their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Selecting:
Respiratory protection
NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator
CDC recommends any NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator for respiratory protection. For example:
Combination cartridges may be needed when additional gas or vapor hazards are present, such as cleaning chemicals or ammonia from waste products. Even when not required, the provisions in OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard are considered best practices for worker protection.
Respirators are designed primarily to be used in workplaces by adults who are part of their employer's respiratory protection program. However, people working in agricultural settings, including youth workers, may not be familiar with respirators. The risks and benefits of using respirators without proper training and fit testing are uncertain.
For a respirator to be most effective, it must form a seal on the face to keep particles from leaking around the edges. A tight seal should be achieved following the manufacturer's instructions when not fit-tested. Additionally, most respirators will be too big to form a proper seal for youth workers' faces, and some will be too big for people with smaller faces. People who cannot wear a respirator that properly seals to the face should not work near animals confirmed or potentially infected with avian influenza A viruses. They also should not work with materials, including raw milk, that are confirmed or potentially contaminated.
Eye protection
Safety goggles and face shields
CDC recommends properly fitted unvented or indirectly vented safety goggles. Preferably, safety goggles should conform to ANSI Z87.1 that is marked at least Z87 D3 that indicates protection from droplets and splashes.
Maintaining visibility
Try to prevent fogging of goggles and face shields. Using anti-fog lenses or a manufacturer's anti-fog coating may help maintain clear vision. Under certain conditions, some PPE can alter or decrease ability to see clearly and peripheral vision. If this is the case, workers should work in pairs if possible. Workers should also pay close attention to their surroundings for hazards such as animal movement, clothing snags, cuts or punctures, and slips, trips, and falls.
Outer garments
Fluid-resistant coveralls or fluid-resistant sleeved apron, waterproof apron
CDC recommends disposable or washable fluid-resistant coveralls, or a fluid-resistant sleeved apron in milking parlors where cows line up only on one side. Depending on tasks, an optional disposable or reusable waterproof apron can be used over the top of coveralls.
Preferably, fluid-resistant garments should be made of material that passes:
- AATCC 42 ≤ 1 g and AATCC 127 ≥ 50 cm H2O or EN 20811 ≥ 50 cm H2O; or
- ASTM F1670 (13.8 kPa); or
- ISO 16603 ≥ 3.5 kPA
The virus is less likely to penetrate coveralls and aprons made with fabrics that meet these standards compared to fabrics that do not, such as generic cotton.
Boot covers or boots
CDC recommends reusable boot covers or boots that can be cleaned and disinfected. Only consider using disposable boot covers in areas where they will remain intact. Disposable boot covers are highly susceptible to rips and tears in many agriculture environments.
Head cover or hair cover
CDC recommends a disposable head cover or hair cover. If hard hats are required for impact protection, they should be able to be cleaned and disinfected after each use. When selecting a hard hat, make sure it does not change the way the face shield, goggles, or respirator fit.
Gloves and outer work gloves
CDC recommends disposable gloves with optional outer work gloves. Outer work gloves should be considered contaminated unless they are able to be cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer's instruction and disinfectant product label.
Preferably, disposable gloves should conform to ASTM D5250 (vinyl examination gloves), ASTM D6319 (nitrile rubber examination gloves), or ASTM D6977 (chloroprene examination gloves).
If thicker reusable gloves are required, rubber gloves should be waterproof and not have linings. Thicker gloves should be able to be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Use gloves conforming to ASTM D3578 (latex rubber examination gloves) as a last resort, as a worker may not know they have a latex allergy until a reaction occurs. If latex allergies are present, avoid latex.
N95 and NIOSH Approved are certification marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) registered in the United States and several international jurisdictions. HE, PAPR100-N, and PAPR100-P are certification marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) registered in the United States.