- Medical gloves
- Debris gloves
- Electrical gloves if there is a risk of live electricity
- Eye protection
- Helmet visors, for use when using tools
- High-visibility jackets or markings, appropriate to the task and environment
- Protection against hydraulic injection injuries
Respiration of particles and dermal irritation
To avoid the respiration of particles or dermal irritation through contact with dust or fibres, in particular resin-coated fibrous material, consideration should be given to:
- Damping down any dust on-scene or created during the cutting process
- Using alternative access strategies to reduce the need to cut materials
- Using alternative tool strategies to reduce the production of dust
If there is a presence of dust, fibres or respirable particles, emergency responders and casualties should use appropriate PPE and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Used or contaminated PPE and RPE should be cleaned or disposed of as appropriate.
Personal protective equipment for casualties
When casualties are located, or while they are being rescued, a risk assessment may identify the need to protect them from environmental or external hazards. Hazards such as smoke and fire gases, bodies of water or irrespirable atmospheres, should be considered.
It may be necessary to use specialist PPE, including RPE, to provide casualties with some level of protection.
Examples of PPE include:
- Floatation device
- Evacuation vests
- Eye or ear protection
- Barrier membranes, such as plastic covers, as protection from dust or fibres produced when cutting materials
- Hard and soft protection when rescue tools are being used nearby
Examples of RPE include:
- Fire escape hoods
- Evacuation air supply device
For further information about the use of fire escape hoods, refer to Operations – Evacuation and shelter.