A Guide to Protective Clothing

Protective equipment, such as bump caps, gloves and boots may have standards for chemical resistance established by the manufacturer or regulatory agencies. With only a few exceptions, standards do not exist for clothing. In selecting the type of protective garments, the National Pest Control Association says PCOs should consider the following:

• Chemical resistance: Protective garments, the National Pest Control Association says, must retain their structural integrity and protective qualities even after contact with the chemical they are designed to resist.

• Strength: The material must have adequate tensile strength, must be resistant to tears punctures and abrasions, and must not fray when laundered.

• Flexibility: The material must move easily and be easy to work in.

• Thermal limits: The material must protect the wearer in extreme temperatures (hot and cold).