How can I reduce operator exposure to an OEB 4 or OEB 5 compound?

In order to reduce occupational exposure to an OEB 4 or 5 compound, a combination of engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE) controls must be used. These controls generally consist of:

• A dedicated and well-designed area consisting of single pass-through air with an adequate number of room air changes per hour;
• Separate entrance and exit area, with misting showers just prior to the de-gowning area;
• Either hard-shell or flexible containment enclosing the process (see images below). Prior to use, these containment solutions must be validated through the conduct of surrogate monitoring;
• Closed material transfers with high-containment valves or other high-containment solutions;
• Stringent procedures and training of staff to ensure that all equipment is used properly;
• Periodic industrial hygiene monitoring of the specific compound to ensure that all controls and work practices are controlling exposures to below the occupational exposure limit (OEL).

Without knowing the specifics of your entire process it is difficult to make any more detailed recommendations. On a consulting fee-basis, the potent compound safety experts at Affygility Solutions can assist you in all the above requirements.  Contact us today.