Disposable coveralls: categories and types
Personal protection is an obligation in certain professions and missions where risks can sometimes be fatal. Voussert in partnership with Weesafe Medicom offers you a complete range of disposable coveralls for professional use to meet each of the constraints. Whether in the field of asbestos removal , phytosanitary treatment, nuclear power , the pharmaceutical industry, the fight against pandemics ... Voussert supports you in particular with the Weesafe brand, now part of the Medicom group, which is a benchmark for quality and reliability in the world of single-use coveralls. This article will help you better understand that a non-compliant or misused disposable coverall can quickly become a real danger for the user.
The different categories 1, 2 and 3 - I, II, III
The suit is first classified into categories ranging from 1 to 3. Sometimes also marked I, II or III in Roman numerals. These categories indicate the type of risk for which the equipment is intended. The lowest number being the lowest risk.
Three categories of PPE are defined in accordance with three risk categories.
Disposable coverall Category I => simple design => Minor risk
Disposable coverall Category II => intermediate design => Medium / Intermediate risk
Disposable coverall Category III => complex design => Major/High risk or even fatal
Category III disposable suits against major risks
A suit is worn by a professional to protect them against one or more external risks and is discarded and recycled according to its professional use. Hazardous phenomena are assessed based on their frequency and severity. The most commonly used model in the workplace is category III because it will be used in the food industry, central kitchens, and for asbestos removal work.
The disposable suit for professional use classified in category III (3) covers fatal risks or irreversible damage.
Example of asbestos removal operations with a special class H asbestos vacuum cleaner , equipment used in the fight against infectious diseases such as viruses .
Category III is then broken down into different types which we will detail.
This means that a suit can be category III type 5 and 6 or type 3, 4, 5 and 6 or like the yellow Weejet type 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B...
As you will have understood , the category alone does not determine the protection perimeter of the suit.
Disposable coverall type 6 EN 13034
A type 6 suit as defined by my standard EN13034 provides limited protection of the disposable suit against liquid chemicals . Suit providing complete or partial protection of the user against liquid chemicals in the form of a light spray (liquid aerosols, sprays) or projected (at low pressure) which are not very dangerous .
Liquid Chemical Protective Clothing - Requirements for Chemical Protective Clothing Providing Limited Protection Against Liquid Chemicals (Type 6 and Type PB (6) Equipment).
Disposable coverall type 5 EN 13982-1
A type 5 suit as defined in EN 13982-1 provides protection against solid chemicals in the form of an aerosol of solid particles . Equipment providing complete protection of the user against solid chemicals in the form of low concentration aerosols. Protective clothing for use against solid particles
- Part 1: Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing providing whole-body protection against airborne solid particles (Type 5 clothing).
Disposable coverall type 4 EN 14605
Type 4 coveralls as defined in EN 14605 provide protection against liquid chemicals . Equipment providing complete or partial protection of the user against liquid chemicals in the form of a spray.
Protective clothing against liquid chemicals - Performance requirements for clothing with spray-tight connecting elements (Type 4), including clothing items protecting only certain parts of the body (Type PB (4)).
Disposable coverall type 3 EN 14605
Type 3 in the sense of EN 14605 characterises a disposable suit offering protection against liquid chemicals . Suit providing complete or partial protection of the user against liquid chemicals in jet form (violent projection of liquid chemical). Protective clothing against liquid chemicals - Performance requirements for clothing with liquid-tight connecting elements (Type 3), including clothing items protecting only certain parts of the body (Type PB (3)).
Disposable coverall type 2 EN 943-1
Suit providing limited protection against gases . Suit providing complete or partial protection of the user against gases.
Disposable coverall type 1 EN 943-1 EN 943-2
Suit providing gas-tight protection. Suit providing complete protection of the user against gases.
Additional standards on disposable coveralls
EN 1149-5: Electrostatic protection when properly earthed.
EN 1073-2: Protection against radioactive particles.
EN 14126: Protection against infectious agents.
Protection against infectious agents must meet the EN 14126 standard, providing requirements for dry, liquid, contact, and airborne bacterial contamination. Compliance with this standard allows for a B rating.
The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory according to the decree of May 27, 1987.
Which combination for which jobs?
Medical and Pharmaceutical Sector: In these environments, limiting cross-contamination is a priority. Type 5 and 6 disposable coveralls made of non-woven material are ideal for protecting healthcare workers and patients.
Chemical and food industry: Sectors handling chemicals, solvents or hazardous substances require category III disposable coveralls, compliant with EN 14605 (type 3 and 4) and EN 13982 (type 5).
Painting and asbestos removal work: For these high-risk activities, Category III disposable coveralls made of SMS material are essential. They must be certified according to EN 14605 (types 3 and 4) and EN 13982 (type 5).
Maintenance and cleaning work: Category I or II polypropylene coveralls are ideal for these less risky tasks. They offer basic protection while ensuring a good level of comfort.
Asbestos removal suit, what to choose?
Application of suits Since March 7, 2013, a new French decree imposes specific clothing for asbestos removal operations , or more broadly, for any risk of exposure to asbestos.
Category III type 5 and 6 suits comply with this decree because they have seams completely covered by a flat heat-sealed adhesive strip.
The suits also feature a zipper covered by an adhesive flap that goes up to the neck. They are elasticated at the waist and ankles.
These comfortable garments are impervious to particles and splashes. They are breathable to water vapor thanks to their 55 and 65 g/m2 SMS fabric .
Instructions for using disposable coveralls
Whichever disposable suit you choose, it is essential to follow certain rules of use to ensure the safety of your teams:
Put on the suit correctly , making sure to close the zipper and the protective flap.
Make sure the suit is compatible with the respiratory protective device being used .
Seal wrists and ankles with adhesive strips for a better seal .
Avoid contact with surfaces or objects that may damage the suit.
Remove the suit carefully, avoiding contact with the contaminated outer part.
Dispose of the disposable suit in accordance with current regulations, particularly by using Dasri bags .
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