6.3 PPE Doffing, Cleaning, Inspection, Laundry & Storage

PPE Removal, Cleaning, Inspection, and Storage

PPE can protect only when it remains intact and is removed without transferring pesticide to skin. The product label, PPE manufacturer, WPS or OSHA program, and employer procedure control cleaning and reuse. If instructions conflict, stop and obtain competent guidance rather than improvising with a solvent.

Leaving the work area

Move to a clean transition area without contaminating vehicle seats, door handles, phones, or living spaces. Wash the outside of gloves before removal when their instructions allow it. Remove heavily contaminated outer items without touching exposed skin, and keep dirty surfaces folded inward.

There is no single doffing sequence for every ensemble. Respiratory hazards, splash suits, gloves, boots, and emergency contamination require different orders. Follow the employer's trained sequence and the equipment manufacturer. A respirator may need to remain on until the person reaches clean air.

After doffing, wash hands, face, and other exposed skin with soap and water and shower as soon as practical. Change into clean clothing. Never take contaminated gloves, boots, or tools into a food or break area.

Inspection

Inspect reusable PPE before each use and after cleaning:

• gloves and garments: pinholes, cuts, swelling, stiffness, tackiness, worn seams, and failed closures;
• goggles and face shields: cracks, clouding, damaged straps, vents, and seals;
• boots and aprons: cracks, delamination, holes, and trapped residue;
• respirators: facepiece shape, straps, valves, gaskets, connectors, cartridges, filters, and expiration or change-schedule status.

Use only an inspection method permitted by the manufacturer. Water-filling a glove may reveal a leak but can stretch or contaminate some materials. Damaged PPE is removed from service; do not repair it with household tape or adhesive unless the manufacturer authorizes the repair.

Cleaning reusable PPE

Wear protection appropriate for cleaning contaminated equipment. Wash reusable gloves, boots, aprons, eyewear, and facepieces using the label and manufacturer procedure. Mild detergent and water are common, but temperature and disinfectant limits vary. Solvents, bleach, alcohol, or strong cleaners can damage elastomers and lenses unless specifically approved.

Do not immerse cartridges or filters. Remove them as instructed before cleaning a respirator facepiece. Dry components completely and reassemble them with clean hands. Perform required checks before storage and again before use.

Some PPE is disposable or has a limited service life. “Disposable” does not mean it can be worn repeatedly until visibly torn. Replace it after the task or at the interval specified by the label, manufacturer, or program.

Work clothing

Work clothing worn beneath PPE is not the same as chemical-resistant PPE. Keep it separate from household laundry and tell the person doing the laundry that it may contain pesticide residue. Use the product label and current Extension or employer instructions for detergent, water temperature, load size, and wash cycles. An empty washer cycle afterward can reduce transfer when recommended.

Line drying can provide ventilation, but no universal pesticide rule prohibits every clothes dryer. Follow the garment, product, and laundry guidance and never dry clothing that remains contaminated or gives off pesticide odor.

Clothing drenched with concentrate or heavily contaminated may not be safely launderable. Remove it promptly and isolate it. Disposal classification is not automatically “hazardous waste” for every pesticide; use the label, product information, employer plan, and Maine waste authority or qualified contractor.

Storage

Store clean, dry PPE away from pesticides, contaminated equipment, food, sunlight, heat, cold, moisture, and deformation. Respirator facepieces should keep their natural shape. Opened vapor cartridges may require sealed storage and must remain within the written change schedule. Keep clean personal clothing separate from PPE and contaminated work clothing.

A pesticide storage room is generally a poor PPE location because vapors and spills can contaminate equipment. A vehicle cab that carries residues or reaches damaging temperatures is also unsuitable. Evaluate the actual storage condition rather than memorizing a claim that every cab or building is legally prohibited.

Contamination and disposal

If pesticide enters a glove or boot, remove the item promptly and wash the skin according to the label. Do not continue wearing it because the outside looks clean. Porous or absorbent items exposed to concentrate may need disposal.

Before discarding PPE, prevent reuse and package it so waste handlers are not exposed, as directed by the label and waste authority. Filters and cartridges can retain hazardous material; apply the employer's disposal procedure. Never burn contaminated PPE or place leaking pesticide material into ordinary trash.

Program responsibilities

Under WPS, employers must provide required PPE in clean operating condition, ensure correct use, care for and replace it, provide a clean place to change and store personal clothing, and instruct people who clean PPE. Respirator programs add specialized inspection, cleaning, storage, and records.

Record recurring failures. A pattern of soaked gloves or contaminated cuffs usually signals a transfer, equipment, or work-practice problem that PPE alone will not solve.

Exam method

Choose the action that prevents cross-contamination: reach clean air before removing respiratory protection, clean or discard according to the exact instructions, separate work clothing, inspect before reuse, and store clean PPE away from chemicals. Reject universal claims about a fixed wash temperature, mandatory sunlight, automatic hazardous-waste status, or one doffing sequence for all tasks.