Storage
Clothing and respirators must be stored properly to prevent damage or malfunction due to exposure to dust, moisture, sunlight, damaging chemicals, extreme temperatures, and impact.
Improper storage can contribute directly to many equipment failures. Procedures must be specified for both pre-issuance warehousing and post-issuance (in-use) storage.
Clothing
- Potentially contaminated clothing should be stored in an area separate from street clothing.
- Potentially contaminated clothing should be stored in a well-ventilated area, with good air flow around each item, if possible.
- Different types and materials of clothing and gloves should be stored separately to prevent issuing the wrong material by mistake.
- Protective clothing should be folded or hung in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
Respirators
- SCBAs, supplied-air respirators, and air-purifying respirators should be dismantled, washed, and disinfected after each use.
- SCBAs should be stored in storage chests supplied by the manufacturer. Air-purifying respirators should be stored individually in their original cartons or carrying cases, or in heat-sealed or re-sealable plastic bags.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-6. What can contribute directly to many PPE equipment failures?
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