In the current times, many people who are working with the hazardous chemicals at the workplace undergo the WHMIS training programs to obtain WHMIS certificate. While this course allows you to work with the chemicals safely, but it offers a lot more information for you to stay secure at the workplace. Here in this blog, we bring to you some important steps that you need to keep in mind when choosing the right chemical suit.

Conduct a chemical hazard assessment –

One of the most important steps you need to take here is to conduct a chemical hazard assessment of your workplace. If you have undergone WHMIS training, you would already know how to do this. But if not, you can start taking inventory of the chemical products that you interact with regularly at the workplace. These stepsis aimed to help you get better understanding of what level of protection you need in your suit. Only when you know what is right for you, then only it is possible to make the right choice. The best way to conduct a chemical hazardous assessment is by using a Safety Data Sheet, also known as an SDS.

Determine your personal exposures –

The next step here is to check how often do you interact or come in contact with the chemicals you identified. It is very important that your chemical hazards assessment should take into account your exposure to these chemicals. Make sure to take a note of the potential of pressurized spray you’d be exposed.

Select the Fabric –

Before making a final decision on the type of chemical suit you need to buy for your safety, it is important to consider the type of material you are going to need. There are different types of fabrics available such as Tyvek® and Tychem®. Not all of them are the same, so it is important to know the benefits and limitations of the fabric you choose. Make sure to check the grade of fabric, which is provided by the amount of time it takes for a chemical to pass through its material at a molecular level. The process is called permeation, which is different than penetration.

Consider the seams –

And at last, consider the seams of the chemical suit that you are going to buy for the protection at your workplace. You need to check whether the chemicals you’re using solids, liquids or gases? This will help you when selecting which type of seam your chemical suit should have. For the particulate hazards, it is recommended choosing a serge or stitched seam. But when you are going to deal with liquid or microscopic chemicals, even the tiniest holes due to stitching can enter the suit. For the professionals handling chemical liquids, it is recommended to opt for a bound seam as this comes with an additional layer of fabric which helps prevent the penetration of liquids.

Above anything, it is important to have a WHMIS certificate to make the right choice of the suit and handle the chemicals properly.