Posted By Kevin Walker
Maybe someone can help me with an interesting dilemma. When dealing with toxic chemicals the notation is always to wear a particular type of protective suit or eye protection when there is a splash hazard.

The problem is how do you define a splash hazard? While it may seem obvious to most that a splash is a splash, you get wet, but when dealing with very toxic or corrosive chemicals a splash is not necessarily what you would expect, in that 1ml of liquid may be sufficient to penetrate a suit.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Kevin

Posted By Kevin Walker
Thanks John,

exactly.

The need for this is the basis for moving from one particular protective suit to the next higher protective level. If I say it is "where there is a splash hazard", our definition and comprehension of a splash maybe/will be different, so as a matter of clarity trying to determine that definition of cross over is where we are at the moment.

Suffice to say we are dealing with very toxic chemicals, with vapour properties being one thing, liquid properties much worse.

Simple enough to say it is not simple.

Cheers
kevin

Posted By PL
I've always used "An uncontrolled release of liquid" to define a splash. This then covers liquid splashes of all sizes.

Hope that helps

Posted By John J
Kevin,

I can't really offer any advice other than contact a protective suit supplier.

Unless you know the strength and the product its difficult to determine your answer.

Splash resistant suits are just that, designed to allow you to escape in case of a release. They are not, on the whole, aimed at allowing users to get in and tackling torrents of liquid where a gas tight suit would be more appropriate.

I'm used to dealing with Hydrofluoric acid at various strengths but would recommend different suits based on exposure time, strength, mechanical properties, cost etc. The size of splash/spray is often difficult to determine so its a belt and braces approach,

John