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CM0 Personal Protective Equipment Management Program 2.15 surface(e.g., eyes)protection needed.While these standards are not designed specifically for skin exposed directly to the liquid, they may provide skin designations indicative of chemicals known to have significant skin or dermal absorption effects. For example, airborne levels of PCBs on-site may be low because they are not very volatile, so the inhalation hazard may be minimal; however, PCB-containing liquid coming in direct contact with the skin may cause overexposure. Thus, PCBs have been assigned a skin designation in the OSHA and ACGIH exposure limit tables. 3.6.3 Physical State The characteristics of a chemical may range from nontoxic to highly toxic, depending on its physical state. Inorganic lead in soil would not be considered toxic to site personnel unless it became airborne since it is generally not absorbed through the intact skin. However, organic lead in a liquid could be readily absorbed through the skin. Soil is frequently contaminated with hazardous materials. Concentrations will vary from a few parts per million to nearly one hundred percent by volume. The degree of hazard depends on the type of soil and concentration of the chemical. Generally speaking, "dry"soils that have not become airborne do not pose a hazard to site personnel if they take minimal precautions, such as wearing lightweight gloves. 3.6.4 Length of Exposure The length of time a material is exposed to a chemical increases the probability of a breakthrough. Determinations of actual breakthrough times for short-term exposures indicate that several materials that would be considered inadequate under long-term exposures can be used. Different materials that would be considered inadequate under long-term exposures can be used. It should be kept in mind that during the manufacturer's permeation testing, a pure (100%composition)liquid is usually placed in direct contact with the material, producing a worst-case situation. 3.6.5 Abrasion When selecting protective clothing, the job the employee is engaged in must be taken into consideration. Persons moving drums or performing other manual tasks may require added protection for their hands, lower chest, and thighs. Using leather gloves and a heavy apron over other normal protective clothing will help prevent damage to the normal PPE and thus reduce worker exposures. 3.6.6 Dexterity Although protection from skin and inhalation hazards is the primary concern when selecting PPE, the ability to perform the assigned task must be maintained. For example, personnel cannot be expected to perform work that requires fine dexterity if they must wear thick gloves. Therefore, the PPE selection process must consider the task being performed and provide PPE alternatives or techniques that maintain dexterity while still protecting the worker (e.g., wearing tight latex gloves over more bulky hand protection to increase dexterity). 3.6.7 Ability to Decontaminate If disposable clothing cannot be used, the ability to decontaminate the materials selected must be taken into consideration. Once a chemical makes contact with the material, the PPE must be cleaned before reusing it. If the chemical has completely permeated the material, the clothing cannot be adequately decontaminated, and the material should be discarded. 03/2025 Corporate Health and Safety Management Program I ROUX 16