OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
Using Duct Tape with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Hazardous Waste Sites and Related Operations.
 OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletins - Table of Contents
- Information Date: 19880411
- Record Type: Hazard Information Bulletin
- Subject: Using Duct Tape with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Hazardous Waste Sites and Related Operations.
April 11, 1988
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| THROUGH: |
LEO CAREY
Director
Office of Field Programs |
| FROM: |
EDWARD BAIER
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Health Hazard Information Bulletin: Using duct
tape with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at
Hazardous Waste Sites and Related Operations |
Duct tape, although very useful, during hazardous waste site and
similar operations, has its limitations according to an article by Captain
John Maleta of the L.A. County Fire Department titled, "From Baling Wire to
Duct Tape" in industrial Fire World of October, 1987. Duct tape is used to
seal zippers, to seal gloves, to seal boots, to seal breathing apparatus
facepiece to the suit and patch holes in suits.
Captain Maleta says that duct tape has some resistance to most
solvents; however, the adhesive on the duct tape is not designed for sealing
of personal protective equipment from thousands of chemicals and is soluble
in almost every type of solvent known. Restriction bands made from tire
tubes or rubber bands as suggested in this article, may also be affected by
chemicals, and the additional restriction around the wrists may further
impede movement and cause numbness.
CSHO's should be aware of the above problems and the potential
exposures from leakage that may be caused from duct tape failure during
emergency response, at hazardous waste site, and other similar operations
where duct tape may be used with PPE or Personal Protective Clothing
(PPC).
Attachment
FROM BALING WIRE TO DUCT TAPE By John Maleta
Living in the space age is so confusing! You ask why? Well, we
put mechanical hearts in humans, use lasers for bloodless operations, and put
every kind of conceivable information on thin floppy disks. I would say
these were great and far-reaching accomplishments for the scientific
community so then, why can't we with all of this technology, design and
produce a fully leakproof suit that can resist harmful
chemicals.
Having attended many seminars and hazardous materials classes, I
have found one of the most talked about subjects is the personal protective
equipment (PPE) manufactured for the first responders. One point of great
importance to the responder or wearer is the various degrees or
classification of the PPE. They range from full turnout gear to encapsulated
teflon suits.
In the past 5-10 years the production and use of PPE has
increased dramatically. Thus, manufacturers and those wearing PPE may not
have experience they need. This could be causing a false sense of security
for those wearing PPE, as it does not protect against every hazardous
material incident. Use of the pressure or light test will show how PPE may
not protect as completely as it should. First, the exhaust ports are very
difficult to check for leakage, and secondly, all suits leak in some way or
another. In my opinion, we should always use a positive pressure air system
with our PPE to keep the "methyl ethyl bad stuff" out.
Now that we have lost confidence in our chemical suits, what do
we do next? Who do we turn to? As usual, we do not look to the scientific
community. No, we resourceful devils look to the cupboards or go to the
local hardware store to correct the leakage problem. Yes, you guessed it:
good old duct tape. This product has been used to patch holes in radiator
hoses, hold vehicle bumpers in place keep windshields together and yes, even
patch haz-mat suits!
Because the PPE that we purchase is very expensive to use duct
tape to seal zippers, the over-gloves to the wrists, the ankle area to the
boots, breathing apparatus facepiece to the suit and actually patch holes in
suits causes me much concern. One of the concerns is that when you see tape
around the wearer's wrists, which is usually wrapped tightly to hold the
gloves on, it becomes very difficult to take the gloves off. It might work
if you leave a pull-tab, but when working with two sets of gloves and trying
to grab a small tab - give me a break! If the gloves are taped to an
encapsulating suit and the wearer wants to do some emergency adjustments to
his breathing apparatus inside the suit, it is close to impossible. The same
goes for taping the cuffs of the suit to the boots. If for some reason your
boots leak, you could have a long delay getting the boots off. I can see a
first responder being so taped up that he would have to carry a survival
knife to literally cut himself out when he has a problem.
I feel very strongly that the wearer of PPE should have the
option of doffing his suit easily if and when he has a problem. The use of
duct tape for sealing purposes could definitely cause a problem in this area.
Envision yourself wrapped up in tough fabric with your wrists and ankles
taped tightly and you want out!
I feel that duct tape can be used, but only if absolutely necessary...and
preferably only in conjunction with a disposable suit.
This domestic tape, duct tape as we know it, is made of
polyethylene coated cloth...yes, cloth, with a rubber resin adhesive. The
cloth/poly combination can end up acting like a sponge and the polyethylene
also has a problem with caustics. It may cause softening of the backing and
weaken the adhesive bond, but it does have some resistance to most solvents.
On the other had, the adhesive, which is not designed for use in sealing off
personal protective equipment form thousands of chemicals that the responder
might come in contact with, is soluble in almost every type of solvent known.
Pesticides which have a hydrocarbon as a solvent/carrier are one example
where the rubber resin adhesive is soluble. When a responder walks into a
spill, it is possible that the rubber resin will start to liquefy. The
sticky mess that would result would be very difficult to
decontaminate.
If this were to happen in the wrist area, which is very
vulnerable to liquid attack, the sticky mess could run down into and onto the
inner glove. Then you would have to clean both pairs of gloves. If the
responder had to raise his arms during his work the mess could run down to
his arm past the elbow. It would not be practical to use more solvent to
remove the rubbery, sticky residue and if the residue is not removed you
could, with a lot of use, accumulate a film or build-up of various chemicals
which could ruin the suit.
One of the major U.S. manufacturers was contacted and their
representative stated that their product was not designed for chemical
mishaps. He also stated some of the approved uses; reduced noise
transmission when used as a flexible connect or; sealing fiberglass
insulation or to cover thermal insulation and a waterproof cover over pipe
insulation. This tape which is primarily used for sealing duct work, will
withstand 180 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods and up to 200 degrees
Fahrenheit intermittently...But nothing was stated about resistance to
chemicals.
It alarms me that we purchase these suits, check the charts for
chemical compatibility and then patch or seal them with the cure-all. Thirty
years ago it was baling wire, today it is duct tape. This is
wrong!
In place of duct tape, restriction bands made form tire tubes or
rubber bands could be used to secure that second pair of gloves. These bands
could then be discarded after use. Yes, the chemical might pass through and
under the restriction band and cause some damage to the inner gloves, but
those can be discarded or decontaminated. Remember, at least now you don't
have a sticky mess with which to contend. Another advantage is that the
wearer can easily pull his hand out of the gloves to make adjustments to the
equipment or suit. This, in my opinion, is an important factor - it seems we
rarely teach escape and retreat procedures. Also keep in mind that this
product can be used in some vapor/gas situations with no
problems.
Duct tape can continue to make its mark in replacing baling wire
and doing a very good job - but in the heating and air conditioning world for
where it was designed!
The opinions expressed are mine and mine only. Please send
inquiries to me at the address below.
Captain John Maleta,
L.A. County Fire Dept.,
1041 W. 18th St.,
San Pedro, CA 90731
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