PPE Selection » Cleaning and Other Cold Work
Figure 1: Illustrates a "safe" set-up for Cold Work where PPE is required
Figure 1: Illustrates a "safe" set-up for Cold Work where PPE is required.
OSHA hierarchy of controls is: 
  1. Engineering Controls
  2. Administration Controls
  3. Personal Protective Equipment
Cleaning and other cold work requires preplanning and evaluation of the area/space for potential hazards before work is begun. Usually a Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) will be needed to assist with the evaluation of hazards and selection of PPE. Additional hazards will exist if work is done in an enclosed or confined space (see confined space).

Cleaning operations present a significant risk for skin, eye, and respiratory exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals of shipyard employment operations. In addition, cleaning operations often require the use of respiratory protection equipment. Employers must comply with 29 CFR 1915.154, which references 29 CFR 1910.134.


Typical cleaning and other cold work cleaning operations are as follows: Each of these operations may present unique hazards. Therefore a qualified person must select PPE based on the specific cleaning operation. Use of the following appropriate combination of PPE will provide protection: Review the General Shipyard Worker PPE before proceeding with this section.


Corrosive Cleaners
Figure 2: Workers dressed for corrosive cleaning
Figure 2: Workers dressed for corrosive cleaning.

PPE is required when using corrosive materials and must provide protection from their corrosive effects on the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract of the user. Strong acids and bases (such as hydrochloric acids, lye) are commonly used to remove petroleum residues. In addition to direct contact with these chemicals, reactions between the cleaner and the material being removed may produce toxic, flammable and combustible vapors or liquids. A Shipyard Certified Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) can determine what PPE is necessary for the specific operation.


It is important to have suitable quick emergency eye and body flushing facilities when corrosive cleaners are used. [29 CFR 1910.151(c)] For more information, see Surface Preparation: Chemical Removers in Ship Repair.
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Manual Removal
Figure 3: Improper practice - Tank cleaner without adequate protection
Figure 3: Improper practice - Tank cleaner without adequate protection.

PPE is required when removing residue by hand such as scraping, shoveling, or wiping. Primary hazards related to manual removal include skin (especially feet) and eye contact with the material or residue being removed.

A Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) can determine what PPE is necessary for the specific operation. (See PPE list below.)

Typical PPE for shipyard workers includes: 
  • Hard hat,
  • Safety glasses,
  • Safety boots (hard toed),
  • Gloves,
  • Sleeved shirt,
  • Long pants (no shorts or cut-offs),
  • Hearing protection, and
  • Flashlight or lightstick.
For more information, see Surface Preparation in Ship Repair.
 
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Water and Steam Cleaning
Figure 4: A good PPE hazard assessment results in proper PPE selection for these workers Figure 4: A good PPE hazard assessment results in proper PPE selection for these workers.
PPE is required when using water or steam as a cleaner and must protect the worker from eye contact and skin burns. Water and steam can be at a high pressure, which can also cause trauma to the skin or eyes. The PPE should protect the worker from skin contact with the material being removed, which in many cases can be toxic or corrosive. A Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Chemical Marine Chemist (CMC) can determine what PPE is necessary for the specific operation.
 
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Toxic Cleaners
Figure 5: Solvent cleaning with PPE
Figure 5: Solvent cleaning with PPE.
PPE is required when using toxic cleaners (such as Trichloroethane (TCE), Freons, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)) and must provide protection from exposure to the liquid, vapors, or mists that present inhalation, skin contact, or absorption hazards. Care should be taken in the selection of the protective clothing fabric to ensure protection against the solvents. Reactions between the cleaner and the material being removed may produce additional toxic vapors or liquids. A Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) can determine what PPE is necessary for the specific operation. (See PPE list below.)

Note: During these operations, it is important to have an emergency eye and body flushing station.
 
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Eye and Face Protection (e.g. Face Shield)
Figure 6: Worker with disposable suit, gloves and face protection.
Figure 6: Worker with disposable suit, gloves and face protection.
Potential Hazard:
  • Worker face and eye exposure to corrosive or toxic chemicals that may splash or be sprayed.
Requirements and Example Solution:
  • Full-face respirators should be used when toxic chemicals which can be absorbed through the skin are used.
  • Face shields are necessary to protect the face skin outside the respirator if a half face respirator is used.
  • Face shields alone are not for protection for the eyes and safety glasses must be worn under the face shield for adequate protection.
For more detailed information, review Eye and Face Protection.

Figure 7: Emergency Eye/Face Wash
Figure 7: Emergency eye/face wash.
  • Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.











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Protective Clothing
Figure 8: Worker with full PPE. Figure 8: Worker with full PPE.

Figure 9: Improper practice - Inadequate PPE. Missing face, gloves and head protection.
Figure 9: Improper practice - Inadequate PPE. Missing face, gloves and head protection.
Potential Hazard:
  • Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to chemical cleaner or residues.
  • Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
  • Hypothermia or frost bite from working in cold and/or wet conditions. See Cleaning Operations: Work Environmental Temperature-Related Hazards.
  • Heat-related illnesses due to a combination of PPE use, heat-producing equipment, work activity, and environmental conditions. See Cleaning Operations: Work Environmental Temperature-Related Hazards.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Gear should provide skin protection from:
    • corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be spilled, sprayed or splashed during their use.
    • water during pressure spraying.
    • steam burns and high-temperature water.
  • Attached hoods should be used and when there is head or neck exposure.
  • When respirators are used, hoods should be tightened over the respirator to prevent interference with the face seal and allow proper removal of gear.
  • Heat or cold stress programs should be utilized.
For more detailed information, review Hand and Body Protection.

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Respirator Protection (e.g., full or half face respirators)
Figure 10: Air-line respirator
Figure 10: Air-line respirator.

Potential Hazards:
  • Worker inhalation exposure to toxic or corrosive chemicals.
  • Exposure to oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Respirators must protect the lungs and upper respiratory track from mists, fumes and vapors that are associated with the cleaners and residues. [1915.154]
  • Air supplied respirators may be necessary to provide adequate respiratory protection.
  • If a half face mask respirator is used, eye and face protection may also be required in the form of a face shield and goggles.
For more detailed information, review Respiratory Protection.
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Foot Protection
Figure 11: Workers dressed for corrosive cleaning
Figure 11: Workers dressed for corrosive cleaning.

Potential Hazards:
  • Lacerations or amputations due to exposure to high-pressure water and steam.
  • Slips and falls due to slippery surface.
  • Foot related illnesses due to wading in water.
  • Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to chemical cleaner or residues.
  • Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
  • Hypothermia or frost bite from working in cold and/or wet conditions. See Cleaning Operations: Work Environmental Temperature-Related Hazards.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Boots (e.g., chemical resistant, waterproof) should provide skin protection from:
    • corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be spilled, sprayed or splashed during their use.
    • trauma during high-pressure spraying.
    • steam burns and high-temperature water.
    • prolonged exposure to water and similar non-hazardous liquids.
  • Boots should be worn with the legs of the protective clothing over them to prevent liquids from entering the boots.
  • Slip-resistant soled boots should be worn when working on slippery surfaces.
For more detailed information, review Foot Protection.

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Hand Protection (e.g., Gloves)
Figure 12: Worker cleaning with chemical-resistant gloves
Figure 12: Worker cleaning with chemical-resistant gloves.
Potential Hazards:
  • Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to chemical cleaner or residues.
  • Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
  • Frostbite from working in cold and/or wet conditions. See Cleaning Operations: Work Environmental Temperature-Related Hazards.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Gear should provide skin protection from:
    • corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be spilled, sprayed or splashed during their use.
    • water during pressure spraying.
    • trauma during high-pressure spraying.
    • steam burns and high-temperature water.
  • Gloves should be sealed to the protective clothing to prevent liquids from entering the glove.
  • For specific operations, inner gloves may be required.

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