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A subsidiary of VEOLIA, SARP Group provides a full range of services in wastewater treatment, hazardous waste collection, cleaning and industrial maintenance. In all these applications, keeping workers safe is the top priority.
This is why SARP relies on DuPont Personal Protection’s expertise to conduct its risk assessment. The objective is to select protective clothing that is perfectly adapted to the hazardous materials workers are exposed to while carrying out specific tasks, and throughout the whole shift. The other aim is to make workers aware of the value of proper dressing and undressing to prevent any accidental contamination following chronic or acute exposure.
Figure 1: Tyvek® 500 Xpert coverall provides a high-performance barrier, strong mechanical strength and high comfort and protection against powdery materials
Figure 1: Tyvek® 500 Xpert coverall provides a high-performance barrier, strong mechanical strength and high comfort and protection against powdery materials
Tyvek® 500 Xpert, a high-performance category III, Type 5 and 6 PPE against powdery products
For several years, SARP Centre Ouest employees have been visiting one of the sites of Lhoist, the world leader in slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide). Based in Neau, in Mayenne (Western France), the plant specializes in the production of lime, which is then used in many industries (construction, agriculture, glassmaking, manufacturing, etc.).
SARP provides monthly cleaning and pumping services at this location with the help of a special vacuum truck. This delicate operation consists in removing the lime in case of overflow and recovering lime dust from the various production tools such as silos, sieves, crushers, and belt conveyors.
Quicklime is a highly aggressive product, solid at room temperature, that exposes SARP Ouest workers to various hazards. Besides irritation of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, there is also a risk of chemical as well as thermal burns. Combined with water, lime gives off heat that can reach 100°C. It is therefore vital to reduce risks related to perspiration by avoiding any skin contact. Each technician is therefore outfitted, among other things, with a Tyvek® 500 Xpert hooded suit from DuPont, which:
- provides a high-performance barrier and strong mechanical strength through unique High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) spunbonded nonwoven technology from DuPont,
- provides high comfort and protection against powdery materials down to 1 micron in diameter, thanks to its design and conception, throughout the entire operation, even after abrasion.
- guarantees a perfect fit when moving, by protecting not only the skin but also the respiratory tract with its ergonomic cut and elastics at the wrists, ankles and waist. Lightweight and breathable, Tyvek® 500 Xpert full-body suit avoids passive inhalation of particles that are invisible to the human eye.
To work safely, the Tyvek® 500 Xpert suit can be complemented by suitable gloves such as Tychem® NT450 nitrile models, chemical protection boots, as well as eye, head and respiratory protection.
Figure 2: Tychem® NT450 is the perfect gloves technology for jobs requiring chemical performance and comfort, plus excellent adherence
Figure 2: Tychem® NT450 is the perfect gloves technology for jobs requiring chemical performance and comfort, plus excellent adherence
Tychem® 6000 F, Type 3/4/5 and 6 suits suitable for cleaning chemical tanks
Among the many industrial cleaning and maintenance services provided by SARP is hazardous waste capacity pumping and scouring. “These interventions expose our workers to all kinds of chemicals that can be corrosive, flammable, and toxic. They are therefore facing a variety of chemical or biological hazards related to using high pressure and working in confined spaces. Our priority is therefore to provide them with head to toe protection by equipping them with a complete PPE product range that is adapted to the specific nature of the materials they come across”, explains Axelle Abid, Safety, Quality and Environment Manager, SARP Centre Ouest.
For instance, when pumping and cleaning tanks containing hazardous waste such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), SARP Centre Ouest workers are outfitted with a DuPont Tychem® 6000 F suit. Featuring an ergonomic hood with a self-adhesive flap at chin level, it provides effective protection against concentrated organic or inorganic chemicals as well as maximum biological protection by preventing any product from coming into contact with the body. The elasticated wrist with thumb loop guarantees a perfect fit of the suit and a good adjustment of the protecting gloves.
To prevent any risk of splashing to the body, technicians also wear chemical protection boots, Tychem® NP570 CT neoprene gloves and respiratory equipment. Furthermore, to ensure optimum sealing, DuPont™ Tychem® 2000 adhesive tape is applied at all ends and joints (ankles, wrists, around the face).
For outdoor cleaning activities that do not require intervention in a confined space, SARP recommends its agents to wear a Tyvek® 800 J suit. Category III, Type 3/4/5 and 6, it has the unique feature of remaining light and breathable, while protecting during exposure to diluted acidic, alkaline or water-based liquids under limited pressure.
Regardless of the protective equipment, it is critical that dressing and undressing procedures be followed to avoid accidental contamination as a result of chronic or acute exposure. Here again, SARP has partnered with DuPont Personal Protection to raise awareness of potential hazards and to train all its employees (supervisors, technicians and subcontractors) on best practices.
Figure 3: DuPont™ Tychem® 6000 F hooded coverall helps to protect personnel against numerous toxic industrial organic chemicals, highly concentrated inorganic chemicals (even under pressure), particulates, biohazards and certain chemical warfare agents
From prescription to training: ongoing support at all times
“Beyond a complete range of solutions that offer comprehensive protection for our operations while providing comfort, mechanical strength and breathability to our workers, we have been working for several years with DuPont Personal Protection because they provide effective support in the field,” says Veronique Godart, Safety Prevention Manager at SARP. Involved at every stage, DuPont Personal Protection started working with SARP very early on, to advise them on suits perfectly adapted to the various hazardous materials (liquid, solid, gas) to which employees may be exposed in the course of their work. Full compatibility is then checked in real conditions thanks to samples made available and feedback from users before validation.
“Today, DuPont Personal Protection is helping us to train all our employees so that they can select the right PPE for their work and also strictly comply with the dressing and undressing procedure, which is essential to guarantee their safety. Therefore, we decided to work closely with DuPont Personal Protection to shoot tutorial videos that will be integrated into all our training courses,” adds Veronique Godart.
To learn more, you can also watch videos here: Link
For more information, please visit www.safespec.dupont.co.uk
