Wearing PPE (protective personal equipment) when handling epoxy resins is mandatory to avoid any irritations or allergic reactions.

Make sure to check this list every time before you use epoxy resins.

1. To avoid skin contact

2. To avoid eye contact

3. To avoid inhalation

TO AVOID SKIN CONTACT

Wear a coverall and/or leg splash protections with an apron
Wear protective gloves
Wear closed shoes

TO AVOID EYE CONTACT

Wear chemical goggles
You can also put a face visor to protect you against splashes

TO AVOID INHALATION

Wear a mask with A1-P2 filter when you use solvents or you are spraying.

Note: the list is not intended to be inclusive of all possibilities. The final choice of protective clothing and equipment should be based upon the specific epoxy resin properties and the operation involved.

Before your first handling of Epoxy resins carefully read this detailed description of all the different PPE.

What type of coveralls should I wear?

Chemical-resistant coveralls should be worn over work clothes to prevent epoxy chemicals from soaking into clothing and contacting skin. The longer the epoxy materials stay on the skin, the more harm they can cause. Chemical-resistant coveralls also protect the skin from powdered materials.

Leg splash protections & an apron can be used instead of coveralls or as additional protection. Select chemical resistant apron materials such as butyl rubber.

Attention: If clothing gets wet from contact with chemicals, the worker should immediately remove the clothing and wash the affected area before putting on clean clothes.

What type of protective gloves should I wear?

Wear chemical resistant gloves classified under Standard EN374 (protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms).

Examples of preferred glove barrier materials include:

Butyl rubber.
Nitrile/butadiene rubber ("nitrile" or "NBR"), Viton.

For solid resins, it might be possible to use other glove types. For solvent-containing systems, different kind of gloves must be used.

Attention: When prolonged or frequently repeated contact may occur, a glove with a protection class of 5 or higher (breakthrough time greater than 240 minutes according to EN 374) is recommended.

When only brief contact is expected, a glove with a protection class of 3 or higher (breakthrough time greater than 60 minutes according to EN 374) is recommended.

Make sure to have enough pair of gloves on site to change them as often as necessary.

How should used protective gloves be removed correctly?

Used, i.e., normally contaminated, protective gloves should be removed after the so-called turning inside out process to avoid any skin contact with the chemical substances adhering to the gloves.

IMPORTANT: Before wearing gloves: wash and dry your hands!

This poster is produced by the European Solvents Industry Group.

Why should I wear closed shoes ?

Always wear closed shoes on a working site where chemical products are handled to avoid skin contact.

How do I protect my eyes?

Use chemical goggles, also called safety or splash goggles. Their side shields protect your eyes against splashes.

Chemical goggles should be consistent with EN 166 or equivalent.

Face visors are an additional protection for eyes and face against splashes.

When should I wear breathing protection and why?

If you are spraying or use solvents it is mandatory to wear a respirator. Breathing highly concentrated epoxy vapor risks health damage.

If you are in a low ventilated room like a room without windows, we also recommend wearing a respirator.

Protection level A-P2 protects against organic solvent vapors and harmful solid and liquid particles, such as acetone, ethanol, nitro thinner, spray adhesive or spray paint.

Additional PPE not linked directly to the use of Epoxy Resins but that are recommended to be worn on a construction site:

A Hard hat

A hard hat provides additional protection for your head and is especially recommended on sites that have risks of falling objects or have exposed electrical conductors.

Have you memorised everything?

Take the practice test!

Further information: Epoxy Europe Safety video / the Epoxy Safety Brochure /Toxicology Brochure

BEFORE USE

USE

After Use

PPE