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Protective Clothing for Farm Women to Eliminate Health Hazards

ByDr. Meenu Srivastava, Prof. and Head ,


Deptt. of Textiles and Apparel Designing, College of Home Science, MPUAT,
Udaipur
Introduction
Though India is now considered a major power and is turning into a developed country from a
developing country, a large section of its population still belong to the poorest of the poor. In
developing countries, great efforts are directed towards the advancement of small-scale industries as
these are considered the engine for their economic growth. According to WHO, over 1000 million
people worldwide are employed in small-scale industries. Although such industries are identified
with women empowerment in India, the employees are found to have not subjected to occupational
health-and-safety provisions. As a result they suffer adverse health impacts.
In favourable circumstances, work contributes to good health and economic achievements. However,
the work environment exposes many workers to health hazards that contribute to injuries, respiratory
diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, reproductive disorders, cardiovascular diseases, mental
and neurological illnesses, eye damage and hearing loss, as well as to communicable diseases. The
informal sector and small-scale industries, in particular, are subject to numerous workplace hazards
and health hazards of women workers require special mention and have always been traditionally
under-estimated.
In a nation like India small scale industries come as boons. They persuade entrepreneurship and help
in employment of local populace. As per a report about 273 lakh people are working in small scale
industries with a turnover of about 348,059 crores currently. The domestic talents are put to good use
to produce commodities that have found market worldwide. 1 Agriculture is the back bone of Indian
economy. India has been as known as an agriculture country.
Vital Statistics about women workforce
Women workforce constitutes an integral part of total workforce in India. According to the last
three NSSO surveys, the workforce in the country grew from 45.91 crore in 2004-05 to 47.41 crore
persons in 2011-12, out of which 33.69 crore are rural workers and 13.72 crore are urban worker. The
total number of women workers in 2011, including rural and urban, as per population Census 2011 is
15.0 crore. In the rural areas, it is 12.2 while in urban areas it is 2.8.2
Participation in Economy
As per Census 2011, the workforce participation rate for females at the national level stands at
25.51% compared with 53.26% for males. In the rural sector, females have a workforce participation
rate of 30.02% compared with 53.03% for males. In the urban sector, it is 15.44% for females and
53.76% for males. As per Census 2011, 41.1% of female main and marginal workers are agricultural
labourers, 24.0% are cultivators, 5.7% are household industry workers and 29.2% are engaged in
other works.

DEFINITIONS of Related terms


Health: Health is viewed holistically as an interacting system with mental, emotional and physical
components. We define health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO1994).
Occupational health: A persons health status (or status of well-being) within the context of the
work environment.
Work-related stress: Stress is examined as an occupational health problem among workers.
Individual symptoms include having the following some, most or all of the time in the last six
months: exhausted at the end of the day, not able to sleep through the night, felt like crying, no energy
on the job, burnt out, felt like yelling at people, like there is nothing more to give, difficulty
concentrating, anger, felt helpless, not in control of own life, irritable and tense, dizzy (Zeytinoglu et
al.2000).
Physical health problems: Self-reported physical health problems, such as musculoskeletal
disorders, respiratory illnesses, headaches and migraines, and burns or cut incurred as a result of
work or the work environment.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD): Disorders of the soft tissue and the surrounding structures. These
disorders are not due to an acute or an instantaneous event (Hales and Bernard 1996). Such disorders
occur as pain or discomfort in the neck or shoulder, arm, elbow or hand, back pain, sore or sprained
muscles, hips, knees and feet.
Emotional health problems: Self-reported feelings that affect job satisfaction, motivation and selfesteem as a result of work and the work environment.3
Common hazards at work place:
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most serious hazards of working women involved in cottage
industries. Secondly, stress at work is a growing problem for all workers, including women. Many job
conditions contribute to stress among women. Such job conditions include heavy workload, job
insecurity, poor relationship with the supervisors, work that is repetitive and monotonous. Other
factors such as work and family balance issues may also be stressors for women in the workplace.
Moreover the women are more likely to have difficulty in taking breaks, days off or holidays.The
garment industry of India is one such industry. It is an unorganized sector, mostly run by private
establishments. It provides employment for both men and women, mainly those from the lower
socioeconomic classes. The employees of this industry hardly ever benefit from occupational healthand-safety provisions. As a result their health suffers.4
Common hazards in agriculture sector
1. Animals- Injuries inflicted by animals may include bites, kicks, crushing, and contagious
infectious diseases such as-salmonella, ringworm, leptospirosis etc.
2. Chemicals- Pesticides and herbicides can cause injurious such as burns, respiratory illness
or poisoning. During chemical operations, it is not always apparent when exposure occurs.
Many chemicals pose invisible hazards and offer no warning properties.
3. Confined spaces Water tanks, milk vats and manure pits may contain unsafe atmospheres,
which can cause poisoning or suffocation.
4. Electricity Dangers include faulty switches, cords, machinery or overhead power lines.
5. Heights Falls from ladders, rooftops, windmills etc.are a major cause of injury.
6. Machinery Hazards include tractors without roll-over protection structures (ROPS), power
take-off (PTO) shafts, chainsaws, motorbikes and machinery with unguarded moving parts.
7. Noise pollution Noise from livestock and machinery can affect hearing.

8. Water Drowning can occur in as little as five centimeters of water. Dams, lakes, ponds,
rivers, channels, tanks, drums and creeks are all hazards. Young children are particularly at
risk.
9. Weather- Hazards include sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration due to long working hours etc.

Occupational health hazards of farmwomen:


Exposure to pesticides both occupationally and environmentally causes a range of human health
problems. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 deaths annually to use of chemical pesticide worldwide,
with about three-fourths of these occurring in developing countries 5. Among farming activities,
women generally participate in transplanting, weeding, plant protection, harvesting, processing,
winnowing, storing, etc. Many of these are very laborious, time consuming and drudgery prone6.
Table-1. Common health hazards of farm women in cultivation
Operation

Health Hazard

Causative Factor

Type of
Hazard

Nursery management
Watering

Shoulder pain ,Body ache

Working of arms in repetitive fashion

Physical

Weeding

Low back pain, Pain in joints


of arms ,Body ache

Bending constantly for hours in bent


posture

Physical

Manuring

Low back pain

Continuous bending posture

Chemical

Pulling &
bundling

Discolouration & Tanning of


palms

Working of arms in repetitive fashion

Physical

Plant
protection**

Toxicity, Infection, Congestion,


Respiratory
problem, Insect bite

Constant contact with pesticides,


Ignorance about right use of
pesticides & chemicals

Chemical,
biologoical

Field crop management


Preparatory
cultivation

Cuts, Wounds, Body ache &


Fatigue

Lack of proper safe equipment

Physical

Manuring*

Poisoning, Toxicity

Inhalation of fumes & polluted air

Chemical

Transplanting

Back pain & Body ache

Long hours of working under


scorching sun

Physical

Plant Protection**

Congestion, Respiratory
problem

Constant contact with pesticides,


ignorance about right use of
pesticides &

chemicals

Post harvest product management


Harvesting &
Stringing *

Skin infection, Nausea,


Vomiting Allergy, Dermatitis

Absorption due to constant skin


contact with plant

Chemical

Grading

Strain & irritation of eyes

Fungal spores and pollen grain

Biological

Baling\ Packing**

Respiratory problem

Inhalation of dust & husk

Chemical

Causes of occupational health hazards:


The hazards faced by farm women in their daily activities may be due to
1. lack of safety measures during the farm operation resulted in incidents/accidents such as
trapping of cloth, slipping ,falling of machine on body,etc.
2. exposure to pesticides either directly by involvement during preparation and use of pesticide
spray on field or indirect i.e. working in the field at the time of spray.
3. lack of knowledge about proper operation and handling of modern equipment/ technology,
4. Stress due to low wages , monotonous work , irregular hours, excess responsibilities etc.7.
Out of these major cause of health hazards is due to the exposure of pesticides/chemicals.
What is Pesticide?
Any substance or Mixture of Substances used to prevent, destroy, control, repel, attract or mitigate
any pest (including weeds).
Pesticides commonly used by the farmers
Pesticides can be beneficial tools. They help control pests - such as weeds,
insects, and plant diseases- which transmit disease, destroy crops, or cause
damage to property. They allow high-quality food and fiber crops to be grown at
a lower cost to consumers. Like many other chemicals, though, pesticides can be
hazardous if not used safely. Most pesticide accidents happen when users are
careless or when they do not know how to handle pesticides safely. The time
spend to learn about the safe use of pesticides is an investment in the health
and safety of family, and others.
Table-2. Pesticides commonly used by the farmers
Pesticide : Common name
(WHO classification)
I. a Extremely hazardous*
Phorate
I b Highly hazardous*
Monocrotophos
Profenofos & Cypermethrin
Carbofuran
II Moderately hazardous*
Dimethoate
Quinalphos
Endosulphan
Carbaryl
Chlorpyrifos
Cyhalothrin
Fenthion
DDT
III Slightly hazardous*

Chemical family

Organophosphate
Organophosphate
Combination pesticide
Carbamate
Organophosphat
Organophosphat
Organochlorine
Carbamate
Organophosphate
Pyrethroid
Organophosphate
Organochlorine

Malathion
U Unlikely to present acute hazard in normal use*
Carbendazim
Atrazine

Organophosphate
Carbamate
Triazine

*WHO classification of pesticides 9


Risks involved in handling pesticides
It depends on two factors: Exposure to pesticides and the
toxicity of the pesticides. Toxicity information is given on the
pesticide label. Pesticide labels list the active ingredient and
concentration. Three signal words that are used to indicate
relative toxicity are:

DANGER/POISON - highly hazardous

WARNING - moderately hazardous

CAUTION - slightly hazardous

Exposure is related to how the pesticide contacts the body:


through the skin, eyes, nose or mouth. Protective clothing and
equipment minimize exposure and the risks involved in
handling pesticides.
Instructions on pesticide labels
The signal words on the label can help you to determine the type of clothing to
wear. Many pesticide labels give additional useful information. For example,
dusts, wettable powders and broken particles from granules are inhaled easily.
Labels for many of these products carry statements like "harmful if inhaled" or
"fatal if inhaled." When applying such products, wear a respirator. Labels also
describe the formulation - the active ingredient(s), the concentration, base
liquids or carriers - and other information. It is important to read and understand
this information. For example, oil-based liquids (emulsifiable concentrates)
absorb easily through skin, so you need to protect your skin from exposure to
these types of materials.
Need of protective clothing and accessories
The garments used in domestic purpose protect people from normal sunlight and climatic conditions,
but Protective garments are used for saving valuable human lifes from various hazards and climatic
conditions which encounters human life. At present, India is the largest producer of pesticides in Asia
and ranks twelfth in the world for the use of pesticides with an annual production of 90,000 tons 8. A
vast majority of the population in India (56.7 %) are engaged in agriculture and are therefore exposed
to the pesticides used in agriculture9,10.

Protective clothing must be worn whenever the wearer faces potential hazards arising from
chemical exposure such as Agricultural application of pesticides. It is important to keep the skin
protected as much as possible while working with or around pesticides.
During pesticide application, the farm workers are exposed to pesticide
vapours leading to various health hazards and it enter body via dermal
absorption, inhalation and ingestion due to improper clothing. Protective
clothing helps in avoiding direct contact with pesticides and thus reduces
the hazards of pesticides11.
Muraleedharan & Grace in a study on use of pesticides & its impact on
human health: a case of farmers in South India reported that use of
pesticides in the agriculture sector poses a serious environmental and public
health problem. They studied the relationship between the extent of
pesticide-use and signs and symptoms of illnesses due to exposure among
farmers of Thanjavur District (South India) on 631 farmers using pre-tested
interview questionnaires during a cross sectional survey (537 men and 94 women). Findings revealed
that more than 75% of farmers used either moderately or highly hazardous pesticides . 88% did
not use any form of protection, while handling pesticides. Farmers reported the following acute signs
and symptoms: excessive sweating (36.5%), burning/ stinging/ itching of eyes (35.7%), dry/sore
throat (25.5%), excessive salivation (14.1%). These signs and symptoms had a higher prevalence
among the sprayers. Among men, excessive sweating (RR=1.43), burning/stinging/ itching eyes
(RR=1.5), Dry/sore throat (RR=1.84) were significantly associated with exposure to pesticides. The
study recommended the need for creating more awareness among the farmers and authorities in
enforcing and ensuring the use of protective gear while handling pesticides12. This study is an example
of common agricultural practices of farm workers.
Thus, the purpose of protective clothing and accessories is to shield or isolate individuals from the
chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered during hazardous materials
operations. The protective clothing one need to wear depends on the pesticide and the spray
operation. Coveralls, aprons, spray suits, gloves, hats, boots, goggles, and face shields are some of
devices which can provide protection from the pesticide on the skin or into the body.
Factors affecting direct exposure to pesticides
A. Duration of spraying pesticides
B. Personal habits while pesticide spraying

Handling of pesticide concentrations and application of diluted formulation


requires the use of appropriate personal protection equipment as a
precaution against pesticide exposure. This would include the use of
gloves, masks, protective clothes, personal hygiene, appropriate footwear,
head gear etc., as indicated in the respective pesticide labels.10

The farmers mixed the different pesticides in a vessel with water or they
poured it directly into the spraying can and then mixed the pesticides in
the spraying can. itself..

mixed or diluted pesticides using bare hands. The common alternative to


this practise was to use a stick.
While spraying, chewing either tobacco or gum and smoking.

Factors affecting indirect exposure to pesticides

Includes other farming activities continued in the farm while pesticides


were sprayed.

Pesticide-protective clothing
To minimize exposure to pesticides, you should always:

Wear work clothing with long pants and sleeves. (Clothing with a soilrepellent finish can increase your protection).

Wear unlined, liquid-proof, chemical-resistant gloves; unlined neoprene or


rubber boots; and a wide-brimmed hat.

Wear a chemical-resistant apron over cloth coveralls when mixing, loading


or handling undiluted pesticides.

Wear a liquid-proof, chemical-resistant coverall or suit with a hood or a


waterproof, wide brimmed hat if there is any chance of becoming wet with
spray.

Wear a respirator whenever there is a risk of inhaling pesticide vapors,


fumes or dust.

Wear an eye or face shield if the pesticide may splash

Wearing protective clothing helps to reduce your risk of exposure to


pesticides. The types of clothing and how the clothing is worn influence
how well you are protected.

In all cases, read the pesticide label completely, and follow the instructions
given15.

Types of Protective clothing and equipment16.


Appropriate protective clothing and equipment must be used to
provide a barrier between the pesticide and the body to stop the pesticide
getting into the body. Protective clothing and equipment must prevent
dermal (skin and eyes), respiratory (lungs) and oral (mouth) entry of the
pesticide into the body. Therefore, the protective clothing and
equipment must cover all of the operator's body.
Using personal protective equipment reduces exposure and thus reduces risks to the pesticide
applicator. The type of personal protective equipment needed depends on the toxicity of the pesticide
being used, the formulation (e.g. liquid, wettable powder or granules), and activity (e.g. loading and
mixing or spraying). Always follow the requirements on the product label for protective equipment.
The different kinds of protective clothing and equipment are described below.
Overalls: Full-length overalls which button at the neck and wrists should be worn. Trouser cuffs
should be worn outside boots.
Waterproof apron: Where splashing may occur, a full-length waterproof PVC apron and rubber
boots should be worn.
Washable hat: A wide-brimmed washable hat will stop pesticide getting on to the operator's hair and
then into his/her body.
PVC gloves: Some types of gloves deteriorate quickly in contact with pesticides and must be checked
regularly for cracks, especially between the fingers. Cracked gloves should not be used for spraying.
Gloves that are cotton lined should not be used as they are difficult to decontaminate.
Boots: Only PVC boots in good condition should be worn. If the boots are damaged or cracked,
chemical can soak into the material and be absorbed into the body through the feet.

Table -3. Protective clothing for full body protection


Description

Type of Protection

Fully encapsulating suit


Protects against splashes,
One-piece garment. Boots dust gases, and vapors.
and gloves may be integral,
attached and replaceable,
or separate.

Use Considerations
Does not allow body heat to
escape. May contribute to heat
stress in wearer. A cooling
garment may be needed. Impairs
worker mobility, vision, and

communication.

Nonencapsulating suit
Jacket, hood, pants or bib
overalls, and one-piece
coveralls.

Protects against splashes,


dust, and other materials but
not against gases and vapors.
Does not protect parts of
head or neck.

Do not use where gas-tight or


pervasive splashing protection is
required. May contribute to heat
stress in wearer. Tape-seal
connections between pant cuffs
and boots and between gloves and
sleeves.

Aprons, leggings, and


Provides additional splash
sleeve protectors
protection of chest, forearms,
Fully sleeved and gloved
and legs.
apron. Separate coverings
for arms and legs.
Commonly worn over
nonencapsulating suit.

Whenever possible, should be


used over a nonencapsulating suit
to minimize potential heat stress.
Should be used only when there is
a low probability of total body
contact with contaminants.

Classification of Chemical Protective Clothing. Table 4 provides a listing of clothing


classifications. Clothing can be classified by design, performance, and service life.
Table :4 Classification of chemical protective clothing
By Design

By Performance

By Service Life

gloves
boots
aprons, jackets,
coveralls,
full body suits

particulate protection
liquid-splash protection
vapor protection

single use
limited use
reusable

Design.
Categorizing clothing by design is mainly a means for describing what areas of the body the clothing
item is intended to protect.
Performance.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has classified suits by their performance as:
a. Vapor-protective suits (NFPA Standard 1991) provide "gas-tight" integrity and are intended for
response situations where no chemical contact is permissible. This type of suit would be equivalent to
the clothing required in EPA's Level A.

b. Liquid splash-protective suits (NFPA Standard 1992) offer protection against liquid chemicals in
the form of splashes, but not against continuous liquid contact or chemical vapors or gases.
Essentially, the type of clothing would meet the EPA Level B needs. It is important to note, however,
that by wearing liquid splash-protective clothing, the wearer accepts exposure to chemical vapors or
gases because this clothing does not offer gas-tight performance.
c. Support function protective garments (NFPA Standard 1993) must also provide liquid splash
protection but offer limited physical protection. These garments may comprise several separate
protective clothing components (i.e., coveralls, hoods, gloves, and boots). They are intended for use
in nonemergency, nonflammable situations where the chemical hazards have been completely
characterized.
These NFPA standards define minimum performance requirements for the manufacture of chemical
protective suits. Each standard requires rigorous testing of the suit and the materials that comprise the
suit in terms of overall protection, chemical resistance, and physical properties. Protective clothing
should completely cover both the wearer and his or her breathing apparatus. In general, respiratory
protective equipment is not designed to resist chemical contamination. However, it is strongly
recommended that the wearer's respiratory equipment be worn inside the ensemble to prevent its
failure and to reduce decontamination problems.
Service Life
Clothing item service life is an end user decision depending on the costs and risks associated with
clothing decontamination and reuse. Protective clothing may be labeled as:

Reusable, for multiple wearing; or

Disposable, for one-time use.


Disposable clothing is generally lightweight and inexpensive. Reusable clothing is often more rugged
and costly. Nevertheless, extensive contamination of any garment may render it disposable. The basis
of this classification really depends on the costs involved in purchasing, maintaining, and
reusingprotective clothing versus the alternative of disposal following exposure.
Protective Clothing: Protection Versus Comfort
Regular to work clothing of heavy weight, tightly woven fabrics gives some protection, specialized
liquid-proof, chemical-resistant clothing gives much more, but may not be as comfortable. When
selecting protective garments, these are the two key garment characteristics given importance. With
all protection characteristics being equal, however, the garment's comfort becomes a key factor in
gaining wearer compliance and in guarding against heat stress injuries. Because, again, a garment that
is modified to be more comfortable, or a garment that is not worn because it is uncomfortable, creates
a dangerous situation.
Comfort is a subjective and very complex perception. It is a combination of thermal, tactile and
psychological perceptions by the wearer.
Psychological factors include appearance, style and color, as well as the needs of the individual
worker (longer arms, shorter torso, etc.) Tactile factors include the feel of the fabric and the fit of the
garment. The final factor is thermal factor : How hot is the garment?
Garment Comfort: Inside the Micro-Environment

A new method for measuring garment comfort can help ensure that workers wear their protective
clothing correctly. This method measures the micro-environment inside the protective suit, assessing
the humidity and temperature of the thin layer of air that closely surrounds the body. The microenvironment is a more useful indicator of how a user perceives comfort when wearing a suit than
other analytical methods traditionally used to study the material's breathability.
According to Dawn Werry (global marketing communications manager, Industrial Segment, DuPont
Safety and Protection, which manufactures a number of protective fabrics), "Tests reveal that fabric
weight is a critical factor in determining on-the-job comfort, especially in hot and humid
environments. In addition, breathable fabrics permit rapid movement of heat away from the body,
helping to keep workers cooler."
The use of cotton textile in protective clothing is quite common but studies show that wet cotton
clothing and cotton cloth masks in fact increase the persons personal absorption rate of
pesticides17.
Principles in selecting PPE
To ensure that the item of personal protective equipment (PPE) will provide the level of protection
that is it designed to, PPE should:

be appropriate for the type of work and give appropriate protection for the risk
give adequate protection to the user
not create additional health or safety risks
be compatible with other PPE being used (e.g ear muffs with a hard hat)
fit properly
not interfere with any medical conditions of the user
be easy to use
be comfortable
comply with relevant Standards

Protective clothing selection factors


a. Clothing Design Consideration: It includes basic silhouette, pattern style variation, sizes, seams
for construction, functionality and comfort.
b. Material consideration: Ideally, the chosen material(s) must resist permeation, degradation, and
penetration by the respective chemicals.
1. Permeation is the process by which a chemical dissolves in or moves through a material on a
molecular basis. In most cases, there will be no visible evidence of chemicals permeating a material.
The rate of permeation is a function of several factors such as chemical concentration, material
thickness, humidity, temperature, and pressure. Most material testing is done with 100% chemical
over an extended exposure period. The time it takes chemical to permeate through the material is the
breakthrough time. An acceptable material is one where the breakthrough time exceeds the expected
period of garment use. However, temperature and pressure effects may enhance permeation and
reduce the magnitude of this safety factor. For example, small increases in ambient temperature can
significantly reduce breakthrough time and the protective barrier properties of a protective clothing
material.

2. Degradation involves physical changes in a material as the result of a chemical exposure, use, or
ambient conditions (e.g. sunlight). The most common observations of material degradation are
discoloration, swelling, loss of physical strength, or deterioration.
3. Penetration is the movement of chemicals through zippers, seams, or imperfections in a protective
clothing material.
It is important to note that no material protects against all chemicals and combinations of
chemicals, and that no currently available material is an effective barrier to any prolonged
chemical exposure. Mixtures of chemicals can be significantly more aggressive towards protective
clothing materials than any single chemical alone. One permeating chemical may pull another with it
through the material.
c. Physical Properties
The protective clothing along with chemical resistance should have good physical qualities in terms
of strength, resistance to physical hazards, and operation in extreme environmental conditions
according to comprehensive manufacturing standards such as the NFPA Standards which set specific
limits on these material properties, such asSufficient strength to withstand the physical strength of the tasks

involved.

Material resistance to tears, punctures, cuts, and abrasions.

Ability of material to withstand repeated use after contamination and


decontamination.

Material flexibility to allow end users to perform needed tasks.

Maintaining its protective integrity and flexibility under hot and cold
extremes.
Properties of flame-resistant or self-extinguishing (if these hazards are

present).

Garment seams quality to provide the same physical integrity as the

garment material.

d. Ease of Determination. The degree of difficulty in decontaminating protective clothing may


dictate whether disposable or reusable clothing is used, or a combination of both.
e. Cost. Protective clothing end users must endeavor to obtain the broadest protective equipment they
can buy with available resources to meet their specific application.
Selection of chemical protective clothing is a complex task and should be performed by personnel
with both extensive training and experience. Under all conditions, clothing should be selected by
evaluating its performance characteristics against the requirements and limitations imposed by
the application.

Standard Operating Procedures. Personal protective clothing and equipment can offer a high
degree of protection only if it is used properly. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) should be
established for all workers involved in handling hazardous chemicals.
User Monitoring and Training
The wearer must understand all aspects of clothing/equipment operation and their limitations; this is
especially important for fully encapsulating ensembles where misuse could potentially result in
suffocation. During protective clothing use, end users should be encouraged to report any perceived
problems or difficulties to their supervisor. These malfunctions include:

Degradation of the protection ensemble;


Perception of odors;
Skin irritation;
Unusual residues on clothing material;
Discomfort;
Resistance to breathing;
Fatigue due to respirator use;
Interference with vision or communication;
Restriction of movement; and
Physiological responses such as rapid pulse, nausea, or chest pain.

Before end users undertake any activity in their chemical protective ensembles, the anticipated
duration of use should be established. Several factors limit the length of use, including:

Air supply consumption as affected by wearer work rate, fitness, body size, and breathing
patterns;
Suit ensemble permeation, degradation, and penetration by chemical contaminants,
including expected leakage through suit.
Ambient temperature as it influences material chemical resistance and flexibility, and
wearer heat stress.

Storing and maintaining PPE


Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be stored in a clean and fully operational way. PPE
needs to be checked regularly both during storage and use and should be easily accessible when
needed.
Protective clothing will retain pesticide residue after use. These clothing should be handled
carefully to prevent contamination during clean-up. Follow these steps:

Wash your gloves thoroughly before removing them. Then remove your clothes and the
remainder of your protective equipment with the gloves still on. If this is too awkward, you
can wear surgical gloves underneath your regular gloves. They are available from pharmacies
or home improvement centers.

Put your coveralls in a plastic bag until you launder them.

Wash your goggles, hats, boots, gloves, and rubberized aprons in warm, soapy water, and
store them in a cool, dry place, away from pesticides and spray equipment.

Wash your respirator according to the instructions given above.

Carefully remove your gloves and wash them or discard them in a plastic bag along with the
rinsed pesticide containers.

Shower with lots of soap as soon as possible and before changing into clean clothes.

Steps in laundering reusable protective clothing:


Pre-rinse or presoak clothing. Presoak clothing contaminated with similar pesticides together.

Pesticide-contaminated clothing should be laundered separately from household laundry.

The machine should not be overloaded, so only wash a few contaminated items at a time.

Use only hot water (140 degrees to 160 degrees).

The water level should be on the highest setting, washing for the full cycle (12 minutes) using
a double rinse.

Dry detergent should be used to clean dry formulations of pesticides, and a liquid detergent to
clean liquid formulations of pesticides.

Use 25 percent more detergent when clothing items have been treated with a soil/water
repellent finish.

Bleach should not be used. It does not help to remove pesticide residue, and can react with
ammonia fertilizer forming chlorine gas, which can be dangerous.

RISKS associated with Use of protective clothing


Heat Stress: Wearing full body chemical protective clothing puts the wearer at considerable risk of
developing heat stress. This can result in health effects ranging from transient heat fatigue to serious
illness or death. Heat stress is caused by a number of interacting factors, including:

Environmental conditions;

Type of protective ensemble worn;

The work activity required; and

The individual characteristics of the responder.


When selecting chemical protective clothing and equipment, each item's benefit should be carefully
evaluated for its potential for increasing the risk of heat stress. For example, if a lighter, less
insulating suit can be worn without a sacrifice in protection, then it should be. Because the
incidence of heat stress depends on a variety of factors, all workers wearing full body chemical
protective ensembles should be monitored.

Heart Rate : Count the radial pulse during a 30-second period as early as possible in any rest period.
If the heart rate exceeds 110 beats per minute at the beginning of the rest period, the next work
cycle should be shortened by one-third.
Oral Temperature: Do not permit an end user to wear protective clothing and engage in work
when his or her oral temperature exceeds 100.6F (38.1C).Use a clinical thermometer (three
minutes under the tongue) or similar device to measure oral temperature at the end of the work period
(before drinking), as follows: If the oral temperature exceeds 99.6F (37.6C), shorten the next work
period by at least one-third and if the oral temperature exceeds 99.6F (37.6C) at the beginning of a
response period, shorten the mission time by one-third.
Body Water Loss: The body water loss should not exceed 1.5% of the total body weight loss from a
response.
PPT: why not for women workforce?
A more in-depth look at the reviews reveals that women may have a
higher level of exposure and are particularly affected by multiple
exposures in different sectors including the traditional sector of
agriculture. Generally, women continue to work while pesticides are
being sprayed. This exposure to pesticides could cause a variety of
reproductive health problems in the women of the reproductive age
group. This unexpected though direct exposure to pesticides due to their proximity to source of
exposure needs to be studied further.
Further, the re-entry of farm women into the field for work after pesticides is sometimes less than 24
hours. The continuation of pesticides spraying and other farming activities concurrently in the field,
can lead to direct exposure to pesticides as they may be still dispersed in air13.
Hence, the women workforce are equally prone to exposure to pesticides hazards and also need
protective clothing during agricultural activities. Since there are physiological differences
between men and women, the clothing designed for men cannot fit the women.

In many cases, women requiring personal protective equipment are forced to make do and
wear equipment designed for men.
Anthropometry is the science that measures the human body to determine similarities and
differences among individuals and groups. Anthropometric tables created clearly shows that
women are not small men. Indeed, women are different in a variety of ways. For instance, on
average, a womans foot is shorter and narrower than a mans.
Similarly, mens coveralls dont fit most women. The average womans body is shorter in
length, making mens coveralls too long in the torso. Her shoulders are narrower, which
makes the sleeves too long. And women are usually wider at the hip. A womans hands are
smaller she has shorter, narrower fingers and a smaller palm circumference so even a
mans small size glove often does not fit. The average woman has a smaller head and face
circumference than the average man. This affects the fit and comfort in head, eye and face,
and respiratory protection.
Women differ from men in size and shape and so should the dimensions of their PPE. Some
areas of protective equipment need to be specifically designed for the female worker to ensure

proper fit, comfort and protection. These include: head, eye/face, body, hand and foot
protection.
The limited availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for women is a critical
workplace health and safety issue. In addition to undermining efforts to protect worker health
and safety, lack of adequate PPE can be a barrier to equality of employment opportunity for
women. Ill-fitting protective clothing and equipment can also mean that women entering
certain non-traditional fields will be unable to perform efficiently the given tasks of the job.

Protective garments should be designed and developed to protect farm women from the health
hazards during pesticide application. There is a need to tailor technologies to meet the needs of
women agricultural workers and to make them affordable enough for women to access14.
Requirement of protective clothing for women depends on the following questions, which need
to be answered:

What is the degree of protection required? (e.g., is full hand and arm protection required
or will gloves do?)
What other pieces of PPE must be worn? (e.g., head and eye protection, head and hearing
protection)
What type of clothing will be worn?
What tools or equipment must be used or operated?
What types of work postures or positions are required by the job? (e.g., frequent bending
over or looking overhead)
What are the environmental factors? (e.g., extreme heat or cold)
What are the human needs? (e.g., comfort, fit).

Suggestions to improve the availability of PPE for women:

Encourage employers, female users and PPE suppliers to make their specific PPE needs
known.
Advertise and promote PPE for women in trade publications, at trade shows, and in product
catalogues/brochures so that buyers know these products are readily available.
When designing PPE used by women, use anthropometric and ergonomic data to ensure shape
and size are appropriate.
Consider light weight and easy maintenance when designing new products.
Keep appropriate size ranges and product lines in stock, or ensure ready access to them, and
advertise accordingly.
Work together with employers to research and develop new products to meet the needs of
women.

Conclusion:
Awareness about proper use of protective clothing, foot wear, head cover, gloves, mask etc. and
information on various kinds of accidents, health hazards and protection against chemicals,
insecticides and pesticides should be generated among farm women to safeguard their health. The
limited availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for women is a critical workplace
health and safety issue. The seriousness of the health and safety issues, resulting from the lack of
adequate or appropriate PPE for female workers, is an increasing source of concern. When it
comes to PPE for women, the change is occurring slowly. Indications are that manufacturers are
becoming increasingly aware of a new market with significant sales potential. Still, there are
significant gaps in some areas of PPE, such as protective gloves and body suits which need to be
addressed.
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