Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hydrogen Fluoride – Hydrofluoric Acid Solutions

Eurofluor (European Technical Committee for Fluorine)

www.eurofluor.org
Version: 06.04.2016
 CONTENT PPE
• INTRODUCTION
• CLASSIFICATION OF HF
• REGULATIONS
• LEVELS OF PROTECTION
• α – Level
• β – Level
• γ – Level
• δ – Level
• TRAINING
• CHOICE OF SUITABLE PPE
• HOW TO USE PPE
• MORE INFORMATION

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

INTRODUCTION
• This Recommendation is based on the various measures taken by
member companies of Eurofluor.

• It in no way is intended as a substitute for the various national or

international regulations, which should be respected in an integral
manner.

• It results from the understanding and many years experience of the

AHF/HF producers in their respective countries at the date of issue
of this particular document.

• Established in good faith, this recommendation should not be used

as a standard or a comprehensive specification, but rather as a
guide which should, in each particular case, be adapted and utilised
in consultation with an AHF/HF manufacturer, supplier or user, or
other experts in the field.
INTRODUCTION
• It has been assumed in the preparation of this publication that the
user will ensure that the contents are relevant to the application
selected and are correctly applied by appropriately qualified and
experienced people for whose guidance it has been prepared.

• Eurofluor does not, and indeed cannot, make any representation or

give any warranty of guarantee in connection with material
published in Eurofluor publications and expressly disclaims any legal
liability or responsibility for damage or loss resulting from the use,
or misuse, of information contained in this document.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ANHYDROUS HF
Concen- CLP CLASSIFICATION ADR / RID CLASSIFICATION
tration
CLP – Classification, Labelling and Packaging ADR - European Agreement on International Carriage of
% Dangerous Goods
RID – Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods

ACUTE TOXICITY (oral, dermal and inhalation) HYDROGEN FLUORIDE, ANHYDROUS

Cat. 1 and 2 CLASS 8 PG I
SKIN CORROSION CT1 : CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE, TOXIC, LIQUID
Cat 1A

AHF 886
HF > 85% 1052

HYDROFLUORIC ACID with more than 85% of hydrogen

Hazard statements (H Statement) fluoride
CLASS 8 PG I
H300: Fatal if swallowed CT1 : CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE, TOXIC, LIQUID
H310: Fatal in contact with skin
H330: Fatal if inhaled 886
H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye 1790
damage
GENERAL INFORMATION ON AQUEOUS HYDROFLUORIC ACID (HF)

Concen- CLP CLASSIFICATION ADR / RID CLASSIFICATION

tration CLP – Classification, Labelling and Packaging ADR - European Agreement on International Carriage
% of Dangerous Goods
RID – Regulations Concerning the International
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
ACUTE TOXICITY (oral, dermal and inhalation) HYDROFLUORIC ACID
Cat 1 and 2 with more than 60% but not more than 85% hydrogen
SKIN CORROSION fluoride
Cat 1A CLASS 8 PG I
HF > 60%
CT1 : CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE, TOXIC, LIQUID
HF < 85%

886
1790

Hazard statements (H Statement) HYDROFLUORIC ACID

with not more than 60% of hydrogen fluoride
H300: Fatal if swallowed CLASS 8 PG II
H310: Fatal in contact with skin
HF ≤ 60% CT1 : CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE, TOXIC, LIQUID
H330: Fatal if inhaled
H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
86
1790
 REGULATIONS
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment

• HOW TO MANUFACTURE AND COMERCIALIZE PPE

• It lays down the conditions governing its placing on the market
and free movement within the Community and the basic safety
requirements which PPE must satisfy in order to ensure the
health protection and safety of users.
• ALL personal protective equipment is required to carry the 'CE'
marking as a sign that the product complies with the essential
requirements of directive 89/686/EEC.
• Personal protective equipment must be tested using the
standard test protocol against the relevant hazard(s) and
manufactured under an approved Quality Assurance system
(e.g. ISO 9002).

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 REGULATIONS
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment

• HOW TO MANUFACTURE AND COMERCIALIZE PPE

• An EC-type examination certificate is then issued by the notified

body certifying that the personal protective equipment satisfies
the relevant provisions of the Personal Protective Equipment
Directive.
• The manufacturer then issues an EC Declaration of Conformity
for the personal protective equipment and affixes a CE mark.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 REGULATIONS
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment

PPE is divided into one of three categories:

Simple Design
• This equipment is designed for minimal risks only and where the
effects of any hazard are of minimal risk and the consequences of
any exposure are reversible.

Intermediate Design
• Personal protective equipment which has been tested against at
least one hazard and is approved by a notified body.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 REGULATIONS
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment

PPE is divided into one of three categories :

Complex Design
• This equipment is designed for hazards which cause irreversible
effects or mortal danger.

• For use in tasks where contact with HF may occur only Complex
Design personal protective equipment is acceptable.

• Where personal protective equipment does not display the relevant

CE mark it cannot be employed at a European facility handling HF.

• Relevant test protocol and standards are referred to where possible.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 REGULATIONS
Directive 89/656/EEC use of personal protective equipment

• HOW TO USE THE PPE´S BY WORKERS

• Lays down minimum requirements for personal protective

equipment used by workers at work.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION

• There are four levels of protection:

α – Level (emergency response)

β – Level (operational equipment for increased risks)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION

• There are four levels of protection:

γ – Level (routine operational equipment)

δ – Level (standard on plant equipment)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
α – Level (emergency response)

• is used for emergency response or where the risk assessment has identified a
high degree of probability that the task could result in a significant exposure
and when an air line is not a practical option, for example, the air line will not
give sufficient mobility.
• α Level should use equipment designed to prevent ingress of HF and should
give full protection from potential HF exposures.
• The health impact of using this level of personal protective equipment should
not be under-estimated. The wearing of fully encapsulated suits and
breathing apparatus (BA) whilst working, particularly in hot climates, can
lead to additional health risks for the employees involved. The additional risks
associated should be identified and assessed in the risk assessment.
• α Level personal protective equipment is used for emergency response and is
designed to be gas tight and to provide full protection against the ingress of
HF.
• Specific training is required to ensure correct fitting and safe undressing.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
α – Level (emergency response)

• Fully encompassing HF resistant suit

• (EN 943-2)
• Suitable gloves either built in or completely sealed at the wrists
• (EN 488)
• BA (Breathing Aparatus) Set
• (EN 132 : 1990 Annex A) or, if practicable,
• air line providing suitable supply of breathing air
• (EN 132 : 1990 Annex A; EN 270 : 1994; EN 137)
• Standard hard hat or bump cap worn inside the suit
• (EN 397)
• HF resistant Wellington-type boot with steel toe and shank worn inside outer
leg seal
• (EN 943-2: 1995)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
β – Level (Operational Equipment for Increased Risks)

• β Level personal protective equipment is used for routine

operational tasks involving invasive interactions with process
equipment or for non-routine interactions which have been
identified as requiring a higher level of protection.

• β Level equipment is designed to prevent the ingress of HF

and should give full protection from potential HF exposures.

• β Level personal protective equipment is to be used for

operations where the risk of contact with process fluid may
be reasonably significant.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
β – Level (operational equipment for increased risks)

• Airfed HF resistant jacket with high waisted trousers

• (EN 467 : 1995)
• sealed at Wellington-type boots and gloves with integral, air fed hood
• (Visor to EN 146; air fed hood to EN 270) or
• fully encompassing HF resistant one piece suit
• (Visor to EN 146; prEN 943-2)
• Standard hard hat or bump cap worn inside the jacket
• (EN 397)
• HF resistant gloves
• (EN 374-3)
• Air line (resistant to HF attack) providing suitable supply of breathing air
• (EN 132 : 1990 Annex A; EN 270 : 1994; EN 137)
• HF resistant Wellington-type boots or overboots with steel toe and shank
• (EN 345 with additional testing to EN 369 [specifically for HF])
• Boots permanently attached to a one-piece, gas tight suit may also be worn
• (EN 943)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
γ – Level (routine operational equipment)

• γ Level personal protective equipment is used for routine

operational tasks involving non-invasive interactions with
process equipment.

• It is designed to give a greater degree of protection against

incidental contact with process fluids for individuals working
in the HF handling area.

• γ Level personal protective equipment should be used for

operations which involve interaction with the process but
which are not expected to cause a release of process fluids.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
γ – Level (routine operational equipment)

• Standard hard hat

• (EN 397)
• with HF resistant nape
• (EN 467 : 1995)
• and face visor (Visor MUST be in the down position when in the HF handling area)
• (EN 166-B)
• Chemical goggles (Goggles MUST be worn under visor when within the plant
boundaries)
• (EN 166-345-B)
• HF resistant gloves
• (EN 374-3)
• HF resistant jacket with sleeves sealed at gloves
• (EN 467 : 1995)
• HF resistant high waisted trousers sealed at Wellington-type boots
• (EN 467 : 1995)
• HF resistant Wellington-type boots or overboots with steel toe and shank
• (EN 345 with additional testing to EN 369 [specifically for HF])

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
δ – Level (standard on-plant equipment)

• δ Level personal protective equipment is the minimum

level of personal protective equipment required to enter
an HF handling facility and is not designed for use when
there is a risk of potential exposure to HF.

• δ Level personal protective equipment is specified when

the risk assessment has indicated that no physical contact
with acid containing equipment is likely and, therefore,
only minimal protection is needed.

Acid resistant clothes • It is intended to give protection against potentially small,

Type 6 unforeseen exposures e.g. drips, surface

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 LEVELS OF PROTECTION
δ – Level (standard on-plant equipment)

• Standard hard hat

• (EN 397)
• Safety spectacles with side shields or chemical goggles
• (EN 166-345-B)
• HF resistant boots, overboots or safety shoes with steel toe
• (EN 345)
• HF resistant gloves (may also be required)
• (EN 374-3)
• Acid resistant jacket and trousers
• (EN 340 pREN13034 (type 6))
Acid resistant clothes
• Escape air packs or suitable filtration systems should also be readily
Type 6 available to enable an escape in the unlikely event of a leak.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 COMPARISON
Eurofluor / OSHA /
ACTION CIA UK HFIPI USA API
CTEF EPA

Emergency
EMERGENCY RESPONSE α A D A
Response

SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE IS EXPECTED (E.G. SMALL

β High Risk B C B
LEAKAGES)

MAINTENANCE AFTER GROSS HF REMOVAL β-γ High Risk B C B

ROUTINE OPERATIONAL WORK IN ACID HANDLING Medium

β-γ C B C
AREAS (E.G. LOADING / UNLOADING STATION) Risk

HF (> 40%) SAMPLING γ High Risk C B C

STANDARD ON-PLANT EQUIPMENT (OPERATIONS) δ Low Risk D A D

CIA UK Chemical Industry Association United Kingdom

HFIPI North American Hydrogen Fluoride Industry Practices Institute
API American Petroleum Institute Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units
OSHA US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
EPA US Environmental Protection Agency

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 TRAINING
• In all cases personal protective equipment should only be worn
by those trained in its use, application and decontamination.

• Training must include to dress and undress with the specific PPE.

• The training requirements for operators, maintenance,

contractors, management and visitors should be clearly
identified and must be strictly followed.

• Periodic re-training should also be provided.

• In all cases training and re-training should be recorded and

these records maintained for a suitable period.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 CHOICE OF PPE FOR WORKING WITH AHF/HF
• It should be noted that all materials have some permeability
to HF, particularly liquid HF, and direct contact should be
avoided.

• Procedures should therefore ensure that, where contact with

liquid HF may have taken place, the wearer should endeavour
to decontaminate and inspect the equipment at the earliest
possible opportunity.

• Also, once HF has penetrated the outer protective layer, it

cannot be removed by the decontamination process,
therefore a suitable operational lifespan should be
determined.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 CHOICE OF PPE FOR WORKING WITH AHF/HF

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 CHOICE OF PPE FOR WORKING WITH AHF/HF

Protection against permeation

Protection index Breakthrough time

1 >10 minutes

2 >30 minutes

3 > 60 minutes

4 >120 minutes

5 >240 minutes

6 > 480 minutes

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 CHOICE OF PPE FOR WORKING WITH AHF/HF
• In order to select the most appropriate material the user should contact
the various companies supplying personal protective equipment and
should

• request the up to date data on breakthrough times for the various products,

• the test procedure followed and

• the recommended maximum working time.

• Alternatively, contact your supplier of HF and request information on suitable

personal protective equipment.

• It is recommended to check the fabric in the facilities to verify if the

material is suitable for AHF and diluted HF.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 HOW TO USE PPE

STORAGE

VERIFICATION VERIFICATION
(make sure the (make sure the
PPE is safe) PPE is safe)

WASH
DISINFECTION USE
DRYING

DECONTA-
MINATION

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

 MORE INFORMATION PPE

For more information, please download:

STS Group 7:
Recommendation on safety management for handling
of Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid
solutions

www.eurofluor.org

If you need any other information do not hesitate to

contact to info@eurofluor.org
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE