10 Ausg. Nr._04/2023 Proper handling of contaminated PPE does not begin in the laundry or respiratory protection workshop. The equipment must be correctly discarded, packaged, transported and reprocessed after use. This is the only way to ensure the safety of the emergency services. Fire extinguished - mission completed? By now, everyone is aware that this is not the case. After the mission is over, contaminated PPE must be properly stripped and prepared for the next steps. Here, as with firefighting operations, expertise and special care are required. This is because adhering chemicals and toxic substances can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin even after the fire. Operational hygiene is a topic of equal concern to all fire departments. Just last summer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified firefighting work as carcinogenic - another warning signal and a call to action. After all, in many places there is a need to catch up in the areas of personal equipment, the cleaning of protective firefighting clothing, and, ultimately, the hygiene of the deployment site. Proper handling of contaminated equipment Currently, many fire departments are in the process of developing and implementing appropriate operational hygiene concepts. It is important to train firefighters on the subject. Younger and new firefighters in particular should be informed about proper behavior during training and their first assignments so that a change in behavior can be achieved. Specialists offer support in the form of training, instructions and products. The Dräger Safety Bag makes it easier for emergency personnel A&A 2023: MISSION HYGIENE IN THE FIRE With the Uvex AGT changeover coverall, emergency forces remain ready for action outside the danger zone, for example for cleanup and machinist activities. Photo: Uvex Hygiene
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