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7 Key Disposable Protective Clothing Options to Consider

By Jessica Barrett | Last updated: July 13, 2018
Key Takeaways

Disposable protective clothing is ideal for extremely dirty or sterile environments.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical component of workplace health and safety. Failing to don the appropriate protective gear can result in small nicks and abrasions if you're lucky, and serious or potentially life-threatening accidents like chemical burns or severe eye injuries if you're not.


In many cases, PPE needs to be tough and durable to protect the wearer. In other situations, the protective clothing may get so dirty or damaged that it will be rendered useless. Still others call for fresh, clean protective clothing each time. The latter two situations are where disposable PPE comes into play.

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What is Disposable Protective Clothing?


Disposable PPE refers to protective clothing that is intended for one-time use by a single individual. It is not to be shared and not to be laundered for multiple uses, as washing disposable clothing can alter its protective or barrier capabilities, rendering it ineffective.


A variety of disposable protective clothing options exist. Common ones include:


Suitable Applications for Disposable PPE


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Not every application requires disposable clothing, and not every application is right for it. But here are a few common scenarios when single-use PPE is perfect.


Tasks that Require Clean, Fresh PPE Every Time


Some situations require that clothing be brand new each time to ensure it hasn’t been contaminated. This is especially true in many food, medical, and lab atmospheres. Since disposable clothing is only worn once, you can be certain that it is clean and free of any residue.


Situations Where Clothing Gets Extremely Dirty or Damaged


For work in which clothing gets excessively soiled or damaged, disposable PPE is an excellent choice. It simply doesn’t make sense to purchase and re-purchase expensive protective clothing on a regular basis because it gets too dirty too quickly. With disposable options, workers can get as messy as they need to without worrying about whether they will be able to use their gear the following day.


For Visitors


Laundering PPE can be costly, and while the cost might be worth it for your everyday employees, that isn’t always the case for visitors. If the workplace has occasional visitors who must don PPE before entering, having disposable options available is an affordable alternative.


Industries


Industries that commonly require disposable protective clothing include:


Things to Consider When Choosing Your Gear


Disposable protective clothing isn’t always up to the same quality standards as its reusable counterparts. And since the main goal of PPE is to protect the wearer, quality is one of the main things you’ll want to consider before deciding what – if any – disposable PPE is right for your workers.


Start by asking these questions:

  • What type of work will be done using this PPE?
  • What hazards are present in the work area?
  • What areas of the body do the hazards pose a risk to?
  • What level of strength is necessary for the material to meet safety standards?
  • Is the work environment hygiene-critical?
  • Is there a chance that the clothing will come into contact with bodily fluids?
  • Does the material need to be chemical or flame-resistant?
  • Must the material protect against extreme heat or cold?


Once you’ve determined that disposable protective clothing is the best choice, you’ll want to ensure you find quality products that will stand up to the type of use they’ll endure. They may only be single-use, but you want to ensure they last as long as the wearer requires.


You may also want to consider fit. In some jobs fit is extremely important, and in others not so much. Ill-fitting PPE can be a serious hazard in some job functions. If this is the case, you must choose PPE that comes in various sizes (rather than, for example, a one-size-fits-all coverall) or can be fitted for each individual.


Disposable Clothing Safety Standards


Disposable protective clothing must meet the same safety criteria as reusable PPE. That is, it must be appropriate to protect workers against the known hazards. Workers must be trained in the proper use and care of PPE, and all worn or damaged PPE must be replaced.


With respect to disposable items, gear that has come into contact with chemicals, flames, or other such substances should be replaced to ensure its effectiveness.


Employees using disposable PPE also need to undergo the same training as those using reusable PPE. This must cover:

  • When PPE is necessary
  • What type of PPE is necessary
  • How to properly put on, take off, adjust, and wear PPE
  • PPE limitations
  • Proper disposal of PPE


PPE is a broad category, and disposable protective clothing is just one of the many options available. Remember that disposable PPE isn’t right for all circumstances, but those who use it must be aware of its limitations and understand how to properly dispose of it after each use.

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DuPont ProShield 50 Coverall with Open Wrists and Ankles

Perfect for light-duty work environments, the DuPont™ ProShield® 50 coverall with open wrists and ankles will give you quality protection from non-hazardous particles, light liquid splash and aerosol sprays. These coveralls are designed with a laminated microporous film and spunbonded polypropylene substrate that will perfectly suit janitorial, sanitation, and general industrial maintenance environments. 

Ansell EDGE 67-150 Series - Lab Coats

These Edge 67-150 Series lab coats from Ansell will give you the workplace risk protection you depend on when you choose your industrial protective clothing. Made from spunbond polypropylene fabric construction these lab coats deliver breathable protection, 3 pockets and knitted collars and cuffs for all-day comfort. 

DuPont Tyvek 400 D Coverall with Elastic Wrists and Ankles

Get the best of both worlds: Protection, durability and comfort of DuPont Tyvek material in the front, and comfortable softness of Dupont ProShield 10 fabric in the back. These materials combine together to make the DuPont Tyvek 400 D coverall with elastic wrists and ankles. These coveralls are perfect for those looking for high comfort when limited protection is required. Great for usage in fibreglass and composite manufacturing, wind turbines, boat construction, and repair maintenance work environments.  

Ansell EDGE 67-100 Series - Bouffants

This latex/silicone-free Edge 67-100 Series industrial bouffant by Ansell is perfect for quality protection while maintaining comfort. Made from lightweight spunbond polypropylene fabric, this bouffant delivers basic protection against dirt, dust and dry particulates in all non-hazardous work environments. 

DuPont Tyvek 400 Coverall with Open Wrists and Ankles

Get the perfect balance of comfort and protection with the DuPont Tyvek 400 coverall. Designed with flash-spun high-density polyethylene, this coverall gives you high comfort and confident protection against hazardous particles. The Tyvek 400 has no film or laminate, only the durable protection you need built right into the fabric itself to give you a stronger barrier of protection even after wear and abrasion. Ideal for workers in the lead/asbestos abatement/remediation, general maintenance, spray painting and general clean-up work environments. 

Ansell EDGE 67-200 Series - Apron

Made from microporous laminate construction, this Edge 67-200 Series protective apron from Ansell gives you both strong and comfortable protection from dirt, grease, dust and light non-hazardous splashes. 

Lakeland Pyrolon Plus 2 Coverall

The Pyrolon Plus 2 coverall from Lakeland features a zipper-style closure, and an attached hood, boots and elastic wrists. 

Ansell EDGE 67-200 Series - Coveralls

Working around non-hazardous materials prone to splashing and spraying? Get the Edge 67-200 Series coverall from Ansell. This coverall is made from a microporous laminate construction that delivers durable strength and breathable comfort. Keep dirt, grease, dust and light non-hazardous liquids where it belongs – off your skin. 

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Written by Jessica Barrett

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Jessica is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Canada. She specializes in creating content for nonprofits and has written for organizations working in human rights, conservation, education, and health care. She loves traveling and food, speaks Spanish, and has two dogs, one of whom she rescued while living in Mexico.

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