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665 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers VI
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665 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers VI

Doffing and Ensemble

Exact procedures for removing fully-encapsulating suit/SCBA ensembles or the PPE ensemble at your worksite must be established and followed closely.

Decontamination and Doffing a Level B Ensemble

Doing so will help to prevent contaminant migration from the work area and transfer of contaminants to the wearer's body, the doffing assistant, and others.

Sample Doffing Procedures

The procedures below should be performed only after decontamination of the suited worker. They require a suitably attired assistant. Throughout the procedures, both worker and assistant should avoid any direct contact with the outside surface of the suit.

Find a safe area: Before beginning the doffing procedure. It's important to find a safe area away from any hazardous materials or potential contaminants.

If sufficient air supply is available to allow appropriate decontamination before removal:

  1. Remove any extraneous or disposable clothing, boot covers, outer gloves, and tape.
  2. Have assistant loosen and remove the wearer's safety shoes or boots.
  3. Have assistant open the suit completely and lift the hood over the head of the wearer and rest it on top of the SCBA tank.
  4. Remove arms, one at a time, from suit. Once arms are free, have assistant lift the suit up and away from the SCBA backpack - avoiding any contact between the outside surface of the suit and the wearer's body - and lay the suit out flat behind the wearer. Leave internal gloves on, if any.
  5. Sitting, if possible, remove both legs from the suit.
  6. Follow procedure for doffing SCBA.
  7. After suit is removed, remove internal gloves by rolling them off the hand, inside out.
  8. Remove internal clothing and thoroughly cleanse the body.

If the low-pressure warning alarm has sounded, signifying approximately 5 minutes of air remain:

  1. Remove disposable clothing.
  2. Quickly scrub and hose off, especially around the entrance/exit zipper.
  3. Open the zipper enough to allow access to the regulator and breathing hose.
  4. Immediately attach an appropriate canister to the breathing hose (the type and fittings should be predetermined). Although this provides some protection against any contamination still present, it voids the certification of the unit.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-6. Doffing procedures should be performed only after _____.

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