AXAkela-X

Occupational health and safety (PPE)

Module 4 of 6

Oil-spill work combines chemical exposure, slip and drowning risk, and sometimes flammable vapour. PPE used on this course includes disposable coveralls, thermal suits, rain gear, boots, oil-resistant rubber gloves, safety glasses, dust mask, half-mask with gas filter, lifejacket and a lightweight helmet.

Enter an immediate-danger zone only at the protection level set by the incident commander. Gas filtering half-masks are used when vapour is present; they are not a substitute for evacuation if the atmosphere is unknown. Fatigue and cold degrade judgement as fast as the product itself.

Responders on an oiled rocky shoreline putting on personal protective equipment: lifejackets, yellow helmets, safety glasses, a respirator, gloves and disposable coveralls, with a crate of PPE and a rescue vehicle behind the cordon
Illustration: personal protective equipment at a shoreline response site — helmets, lifejackets, gloves, eye protection, respirator and coveralls, with PPE staged in a crate behind the cordon.
Next module: Organisation and command (Response Commander / OSC)Decision scenario: boom deployment