Overview
This document provides a detailed overview of personal protective equipment (PPE) and consumables, focusing on safety standards, legal foundations, and categorization according to EU regulations. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific standards to ensure user safety and outlines the categorization of PPE based on risk levels.
EU Regulation 2016/425PPE is categorized into three categories under EU Regulation 2016/425, which replaced the previous directive 89/686/EEC. The categories are:
- Category I: Protection against minimal risks.
- Category II: Protection against medium risks.
- Category III: Protection against deadly hazards or serious irreversible damage to health.
Each category requires different levels of testing and certification, with Category III requiring the highest level of assurance.
PPE User Regulations
The German PPE user regulations (PSA-BV) align with EU Regulation 2016/425, detailing employer responsibilities for providing and maintaining PPE, as well as training employees in its use. All PPE in Europe must comply with harmonized European EN standards.
Legal Provisions and StandardsThe document outlines key legal provisions and standards, including:
- EU Regulation 2016/425
- General EN standards for specific PPE (e.g., EN 340 for protective clothing)
- Test standards for specific applications (e.g., EN 374 for chemical protective gloves)
- Implementation into national law
- PPE user regulations (e.g., PSA-BV in Germany)
Voluntary tests to American standards (e.g., ASTM) are not obligatory but may provide additional assurance.
Protective Gloves
Protective gloves are essential for handling hazardous substances. The document emphasizes the importance of selecting gloves that fit well, are easy to change, and provide reliable protection. It discusses the transition from EN 374-3 to EN 16523-1 and EN 16523-2 standards for permeation tests and highlights the importance of testing gloves against both European and American standards for comprehensive protection.
Materials for Single Use GlovesThe document provides detailed information on various glove materials, including:
- Latex: Known for elasticity and chemical resistance but can cause allergies.
- Polyisoprene: Similar to latex but free of allergenic substances.
- Vinyl: Inexpensive but offers limited protection.
- Polychloroprene (Neoprene): Latex-free and offers good protection against solvents.
- Nitrile: Offers good resistance to oils and chemicals, depending on the composition.
Testing and Standards for Protective Gloves
Protective gloves must meet EN 420 requirements and undergo penetration and permeation testing according to EN 374 standards. The document explains the testing process and the significance of AQL values in determining glove quality.
Protective Glove Types and Standards
Protective gloves are categorized based on their resistance to chemicals. Type A gloves resist at least six chemicals for 30 minutes, Type B resist three, and Type C resist one for 10 minutes. Gloves are marked with an Erlenmeyer flask symbol indicating their type. Mechanical risks are assessed according to EN 388, testing for abrasion, cutting, tearing, and puncture resistance. Category III personal protective equipment (PPE) gloves require certification by a Notified Body and adherence to quality management systems.
Single Use Protective Gloves
Various single-use gloves are available, including nitrile, neoprene, and latex options. Nitrile gloves, such as the Manu N, offer high chemical resistance and are suitable for handling cytostatics and biological agents. Neoprene gloves, like Manu Prene XP, are recommended for those with latex allergies. Latex gloves, such as Manu L, provide elasticity and comfort. Each glove type is tested for permeation and certified for safety, including viral protection and compliance with medical standards.
Reusable Protective Gloves
Reusable gloves, such as Ultranitril 480 and 492, offer long-lasting chemical protection. These gloves are made from nitrile and are designed for durability and comfort. Other options include Stansolv AK 22 381, which combines nitrile with cotton for thermal insulation, and Trionic 517, suitable for cleanrooms. Kronit-Proof 395 provides cut resistance and chemical protection, while Butoflex 651 offers resistance to a wide range of chemicals.
Glove Changing Systems and Safety
For handling hazardous substances, gloves should be changed every 30 minutes to prevent permeation. The isolator-glove changing system facilitates safe glove changes during operations. Understanding the difference between penetration (through micro-holes) and permeation (at a molecular level) is crucial for maintaining safety standards.
Specifications:
The document outlines various protective gloves and clothing, focusing on their specifications and certifications. The gloves are categorized as personal protective equipment (PPE) of the highest category III, offering protection against chemical risks according to EN 374-3-2003 and ASTM F 739 standards. They feature the highest cut resistance class 5 and electrostatic properties. Materials used include nitrile/cotton and butyl rubber, with specific designs like anatomical shape and rolled cuff edge.
Procedures and Standards:
The document discusses degradation testing of protective gloves in accordance with EN 374-4, which assesses the material's puncture resistance after chemical exposure. It emphasizes the importance of testing reusable gloves for degradation to ensure continued protection.
Protective Clothing:
Various types of protective coveralls are described, including Tyvek® Classic Plus, Tychem® C, and Tychem® F, each offering different levels of protection against chemicals and biological agents. The document highlights the importance of selecting appropriate protective clothing based on risk assessments and compliance with PPE regulations 2016/425.
Recommendations:
The document advises on the selection of protective clothing for cleanrooms, emphasizing the need for certified PPE to ensure both personal and product protection. It also introduces a testing method for particle emissions from protective clothing in cleanrooms, ensuring optimal safety and compliance with ISO 14644-1 and GMP guidelines.
Key Data:
The document includes order numbers for various sizes and types of gloves and coveralls, along with their specifications such as material, length, and thickness. It also provides guidelines for cleanroom classifications and the necessary protective measures for handling hazardous substances.
Introduction
The document discusses the requirements and advancements in protective clothing suitable for cleanrooms, focusing on particle emissions and compliance with ISO and GMP standards.
Specifications
Protective clothing must meet cleanroom and product protection standards. New production methods allow for certified protective clothing suitable for cleanrooms, addressing past issues of particle release.
ISO and GMP Classifications
ISO classifications range from Class 1 to Class 9, detailing air purity levels for cleanrooms. GMP classes A to D specify limits for microbiological contamination and particle emissions.
Test Procedures
1. Helmke-Drum: Tests particle emissions by rotating textiles in a drum.
2. Suction Method: Measures particles released through air-permeable materials.
3. Body-Box: Assesses particle emissions during wear in a controlled environment.
Protective Clothing Options
Various protective clothing options are available, including:
- Protective Overboots: Active Breath and Tyvek® Isoclean® for ISO-class 4 and 5.
- Safety Boots S5: For pandemic use, offering puncture resistance.
- Protective Gowns and Aprons: Tyvek® Classic Plus and Tychem® F for chemical and biological protection.
- Protective Oversleeves: Tychem® C and Tyvek® IsoClean for arm protection.
Respiratory Masks
Respiratory masks are categorized into particle-filtrating half masks (FFP masks) and full-face masks with replaceable filters. Certified masks comply with EN 149 standards for FFP-2 and FFP-3 levels, suitable for laboratory use against particles and aerosols.
Conclusion
Certified protective clothing and equipment are essential for cleanroom operations, ensuring both personal and product safety. The document provides detailed ordering information for various protective gear.
Overview of FFP-Filtration Rates
FFP masks are classified according to their filtration rates as per EN 149 standards. FFP-1 masks have a filtration rate of over 78%, FFP-2 over 92%, and FFP-3 over 98%. These masks are designed to protect against harmful dusts, but their effectiveness against nanoparticles is not covered by the standard test procedures.
Filtration of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles, due to their small size, can penetrate the respiratory system and cause damage. A special test method developed with the University of Milan showed that BLS masks can retain more than 97% of nanoparticles, offering protection beyond EN 149 requirements.
Respiratory Masks
The document details various respiratory masks, including the BLS 860 and BLS Zero 31, which provide protection against nanoparticles up to 0.001 μm. The FFP-3 masks from Uvex and Moldex offer high comfort and protection against particles, aerosols, and viruses, suitable for handling hazardous substances.
Safety Goggles
Safety goggles are essential in laboratories and must comply with EU directives. Uvex offers autoclavable safety goggles with anti-fog coatings, suitable for cleanrooms and compatible with other PPE. Gas-tight goggles like the Uvex Ultravision and 3M Fahrenheit SA are designed for handling gases and airborne viruses.
Pandemic and Anti-Infection Sets
With increasing global mobility, infectious diseases spread rapidly. Pandemic and anti-infection sets are crucial for protecting healthcare workers during outbreaks of diseases like Ebola and MERS-CoV.
Pandemic and Anti-Infection Sets
Berner International provides comprehensive pandemic protection sets designed for healthcare workers operating in infectious areas. These sets comply with the German Robert-Koch-Institute (RKI) recommendations and include personal protective equipment (PPE) such as chemical protective coveralls, safety boots, respiratory masks, safety goggles, and gloves. The sets are available in different configurations to meet specific needs, with options for limited or extended exposure times.
Specifications of Pandemic Protection Sets
The pandemic protection sets are categorized into Type 1 and Type 2, each designed for different exposure durations and protection levels. Type 1 sets are suitable for up to 8 hours of exposure and include items like a liquid-tight chemical protective coverall, safety boots, and a particle filtering mask. Type 2 sets are for extended exposure and include a full face mask with a respiratory filter for comprehensive protection and decontamination.
Consumables for Laboratories
Berner International offers a range of consumables for laboratory use, including withdrawal cannulas, swabs, and spill kits. These products are designed to enhance safety and efficiency in handling hazardous substances. The UltraSpike II and MicroSpike are specialized cannulas for safe and complete vial emptying, while the SpillKit XP provides tools for managing cytostatic spills.
Spill Management and Safety
The SpillKit XP and SpillKit XP Duo are emergency sets for handling cytostatic spills, containing PPE and cleaning tools. These kits are recommended by professional organizations and are available in latex-free versions. Additionally, Berner offers a binding agent for formaldehyde spills and a wipe sampling set for detecting contamination from CMR drugs.
Conclusion
Berner International's products are designed to meet high safety standards, providing essential protection and tools for healthcare and laboratory environments. Their offerings include customizable PPE sets and consumables that address the challenges of infectious disease management and hazardous material handling.
Overview: The document provides detailed information on various products and solutions offered by Berner International for handling cytotoxic substances, cleaning, and disinfection in laboratory and healthcare settings. It includes descriptions of consumables, cleaning tools, disinfectants, and hand care products.
1. Cytotoxic Wipe Sampling Set: This section introduces a cost-effective multi-method approach for the simultaneous analysis of various cytotoxic substances, including Methotrexate, Mitomycin, Oxaliplatin, and others. Three multi-methods are outlined, each covering different combinations of substances.
2. Consumables: The document lists various consumables such as cleanroom cloths (ISYSOFT, ISYSOFT II, Cleanroom 100), ChemoSorb-Pads, and prep mats. These products are designed for high cleaning efficiency, absorption of liquids, and prevention of surface contamination. Ordering information is provided for each product.
3. Cleaning Tools: Two cleaning tools are described for use in safety cabinets and isolators. Cleaning Tool I is designed for hard-to-reach areas, while Cleaning Tool II is autoclavable and suitable for comprehensive cleaning. Mop covers for these tools are also available.
4. Tubular Foil and UV Protection Bags: Tubular foils are used for sealing waste in disposal units, ensuring liquid and aerosol-tight containment. UV light protection bags are available for storing and transporting light-sensitive substances.
5. Disinfectants: A range of disinfectants is detailed, including surface area disinfectants, hand disinfectants, and specific products like Bacillol® tissues and Sterillium® classic pure. These products are designed for effective disinfection of surfaces and hands, with various formulations to suit different needs.
6. Hand Care Products: The document describes hand care solutions such as Baktolan® protect, Baktolan® balm pure, and Baktolin® sensitive. These products offer protection, nourishment, and cleansing for hands, supporting skin health and hygiene.
Conclusion: Berner International provides a comprehensive range of products for safe handling, cleaning, and disinfection in environments dealing with cytotoxic substances and biological agents. The document includes detailed product descriptions, usage recommendations, and ordering information.