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Construction industry - Worker safety - Chemical protective suits
Worker safety at construction sites
Officially, at least 13 million people in the European Union work for the construction industry – all the more concern that this sector has one of the worst safety and health records in the EU*.
Asbestos : still a widespread concern
According to the European Agency for Safety & Health, every year, 600,000 construction workers are exposed to asbestos – a known carcinogen that can cause potentially fatal diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Smokers who inhale asbestos are much more likely to develop lung cancer. Without adequate protection, exposure to building products that contain asbestos represents a serious health concern amongst all construction and maintenance workers.
Solvents and other dangerous substances increase employees’ health risks
On a typical construction site, workers can frequently come into contact with dangerous substances such as polyurethane foam, solvents, cement, or work release oil containing mineral petroleum, timber preservatives, paints and coatings containing solvents, building materials containing tar such as bitumen, insulating coatings, epoxy resins etc.
According to the European Agency for Safety & Health, during the construction of the Channel Tunnel, over a quarter of the 1,134 workers were diagnosed with occupational dermatitis.
Diseases caused by epoxy resins
Given their high resistance to chemicals, epoxy resins are often used in coatings for industry flooring or tank equipment, in concrete redevelopment and as protection against corrosion etc. Epoxy resins can cause skin irritations, chemical burns and allergic reactions. Direct contact with skin can be avoided by wearing the appropriate personal protective clothing.
How can you be fully protected ?
DuPont Personal Protection offers chemical protective suits that meet the demands of the construction industry : garments that provide a reliable barrier against chemicals and remain intact even under harsh conditions.
Examples of typical activities at construction sites that are potentially harmful
- Mixing two components : resin and curing agent
- Coatings with epoxy resin
- Working with formwork release oil
- Containing mineral petroleum
- Contact with building materials containing tar, such as bitumen, for building redevelopment
- Asbestos waste disposal
- Contact with solvents, eg paints and coatings
A barrier that remains intact in the harsh environment of a construction site
Construction site workers cannot avoid contact with rough surfaces, and their protective suits are often subjected to particularly intense wear and tear, especially around the knee area. Material that remains intact under these conditions is a safety requirement when a barrier is needed.
How does the protective barrier of your garment perform when the garment is worn ?
| Our demo test illustrates the behaviour of protective clothing materials in terms of abrasion, after mechanical loading : | |
| TYVEK® - No damage - No impairment of the barrier |
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| Microporous film material – Damage (holes) – Barrier no longer provided |
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Design - not just a matter of appearance
The overall design of a garment is a critical element to be factored into any assessment of a garment’s protective performance. Design is not simply a synonym for appearance. It has a major role to play in the garment’s fit and performance.
Various protection requirements
Different applications require different safety measures. Factors such as concentration, temperature, pressure and other environmental factors significantly impact the barrier performance of chemical protective clothing for specific hazards. But don’t worry - the DuPont Techline team offers support and guidance in finding exactly the right protective clothing solution for your needs.
Trustworthy chemical protection in extreme environments
TYVEK® and TYCHEM® garments are tough, lightweight and available in a wide range of sizes. Garments are tear and abrasion resistant, maintaining the protection level throughout the application thanks to the barrier fabric remaining intact.
Following garments could be used for this application* :
TYVEK® Industry, model CCF5, Type 5, 6
TYVEK® Classic, model CHA5, Type 5, 6
TYVEK® Classic Plus, model CHA5, Type 4B, 5, 6.
TYCHEM® C Standard with socks, model CHA6, Type 3B, 4, 5, 6.
TYCHEM® F Standard with socks, model CHA6, Type 3B, 4, 5, 6.
TYCHEM® C2, model CHZ5 , Type 3B, 4, 5, 6
TYCHEM® F2, model CHZ5 , Type 3B, 4, 5, 6
*Source : http://ew2004.osha.eu.int/static/whyconstruction
For detailed technical information please contact us.
*Whether a TYCHEM® / TYVEK® protective garment would be suitable for the specific conditions of an application can only be determined by the enduser himself.
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