Personal Protective Equipment: FIRE

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fire & Water Damage Restoration Pros

Housefires are, unfortunately, more common than most of us would like to believe. The damages are often minor, such as damage to an oven and the cabinets surrounding it; however, every once in a while, we will see a case of a total or near-total loss. In this situation, the structure that is left can be incredibly fragile and the sediment can be toxic. This is when personal protective equipment truly becomes a necessity. Here at SERVPRO, we prioritize keeping our people safe. So, in the case of a fire cleanup, here are a few examples of PPE that we utilize.
Head Protection: As previously mentioned, in the case of a bad fire, the structure that is leftover can be fragile. To prevent injuries from falling objects, we wear hardhats or something similar.

Eye Protection: Flying particles can cause burns, punctures, or abrasions to the eyes so protective glasses or goggles are a must.

Gloves: Gloves are essential during any mitigation, remediation, or simple cleanup project in order to protect ourselves from any hidden bacteria.

Masks: After a fire, there are all kinds of particles flying around that can be dangerous to inhale. Lead paint and mold are concerns, especially in older homes. To protect our team from inhaling anything harmful, we wear masks of some sorts.

Clothing & Body Protection: In extreme cases, we may wear a suit to cover our clothes and any exposed skin. This is to protect any harmful products, particles, or bacteria that may be floating around.

Foot Protection: Our team ensures that we are wearing sturdy shoes and often some sort of cover for our shoes in case of loose nails, wiring, or any poisonous substances that may be on the ground.