HomeMy WebLinkAbout203.010c - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
HEALTH AND SAFETY
203.010c PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2007
Current Revision Date: 5/16/19 Next Revision Date: 5/16/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Kevin Reynolds, Fire Captain Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Christina Johnson,
Senior Administrative Clerk
Section 203.010c
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to identify who is responsible for providing and keeping
stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members, as well as to inform members on the appropriate level of
PPE for various emergency and non-emergency incidents.
APPLICATION
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OPERATIONAL POLICY
Specification, Purchase, Storage, and Issue of PPE:
o Standards for personal protective equipment shall be developed
by the Infectious Control Officer and the Safety Committee and
updated or modified as needed.
o The Department is responsible for the supply, repair, and safe
disposal of infection control PPE.
o The Infectious Control Officer and Safety Committee shall
determine proper stock supply levels of PPE, both for stations
and for response vehicles.
o Officers at each station shall ensure station stock of PPE is
adequate and supplies nearing expiration dates are used first.
o The amount, type, and location of PPE shall be standardized on
all similar response vehicles.
Section 203.010c
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o Available PPE (in addition to PPE for structural firefighting) shall
include disposable gloves, rubber gloves for disinfection
purposes, face masks, eye protectors, fluid-impervious gowns,
sharps containers, and leak-proof disposal bags.
o Disposable gloves shall comply with National Fire Protection
Association 1999, Standard on Protection Clothing and
Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations.
Selection and Use of PPE:
o Emergency response often is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Although blood is the greatest source of HIV and HBV infection
in the workplace, all body fluids are to be considered infectious.
For this reason, PPE shall be chosen to provide barrier
protection against all body fluids.
o In general, members should select PPE appropriate to the
potential for spill, splash, or exposure to body fluids. No
standard operating procedure or PPE ensemble can cover all
situations. Common sense must be used. When in doubt,
select maximal rather than minimal PPE.
o Disposable gloves shall be worn during any patient contact
when potential exists for contact with blood, body fluids, non-
intact skin, or other infectious material.
o All members shall carry extra pairs of disposable gloves in
turnout coats and/or pockets of the Department day uniform.
o Gloves shall be replaced as soon as possible when soiled, torn,
or punctured. Wash hands after glove removal.
o Disposable gloves shall not be reused, nor shall they be washed
and disinfected for reuse.
o Whenever possible, gloves should be changed between patients
involved in multiple casualty situations.
o Structural firefighting gloves shall be worn in situations where
sharp or rough edges are likely to be encountered.
o Medical disposable gloves shall be used for the handling,
cleaning, decontamination, or disinfection of potentially
contaminated patient care equipment.
Section 203.010c
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o Facial protection shall be used in any situation where splash
contact with the face is possible. Facial protection may be
afforded by using both a face mask and eye protection or by
using a full face shield. When treating a patient with a
suspected or known airborne transmissible disease, face
masks, or particulate respirators shall be used.
o Face shields on structural firefighting helmets shall not be used
for infection control purposes.
o Fluid-resistant gowns are designed to protect clothing from
splashes. Structural firefighting gear also protects clothing from
splashes and is preferable in fire, rescue, or vehicle extrication
activities. Gowns may interfere with or present a hazard to the
member in these circumstances. The decision to use barrier
protection to protect clothing and the type of barrier protection
used shall be left to the member. Structural firefighting gear
shall always be worn for fire suppression and extrication
activities.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
If it is wet, it is infectious , use gloves.
If it could splash onto your face, use eye shields and mask.
If it is airborne, mask yourself before the patient.
If it could splash on your clothes, use a gown.
If it could splash on your head or feet, use appropriate barrier
protection.
Section 203.010c
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 203.010, Infection Control
Section 203.010a, Health Maintenance
Section 203.010b, Infection Control Training
Section 203.010d, Scene Operations
Section 203.010f, Post-Response
Section 203.010g, Post-Exposure Protocols
Section 203.010h, Station Environment
Section 203.010i, Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program
Evaluation
National Fire Protection Association 1999, Standard on Protection Clothing and
Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations