The Client
Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) are
responsible for provision of technical support and guidance to UK
Police forces and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
The Problem
There is a new and increasing risk in the UK from illicit drug
laboratories (IDLs), which present many chemical hazards to the
police, fire services and other law enforcement professionals.
Methylamphetamines and their by-products are of particular concern.
HOSDB, SOCA and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are
developing operational advice and guidance for police officers who
need to enter IDLs. To support this guidance, HOSDB commissioned
HSL to help them set national guidelines for the appropriate
selection and safe use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) at IDLs.
What We Did
In consultation with HOSDB, SOCA and MPS, we carried out a
chemical hazard and risk analysis alongside a practical study of
PPE protection factors. We collected information on the chemicals
which were likely to be present in IDLs and esti
mated worst-case concentrations of the hazardous
materials. We then assessed the protection factors needed in such
cases for both respiratory and skin protection, and identified the
PPE (coverall, gloves, boots) and RPE most likely to provide the
necessary degree of protection.
We used practical studies to assess the interaction between the
user, the PPE in use by the police and the chemical hazard,
enabling us to gauge the real protection levels offered by various
PPE options. We measured PPE and RPE performance in our specialist
containment chamber using simulated work tasks that represented a
realistic IDL working environment. These experiments took account
of the different phases of an IDL enforcement intervention
operation, such as entry into premises, evidence logging, removal
of material, disposal of remaining hazards and decontamination. We
identified specific problems with the interface between the RPE
facemask and the PPE coverall's hood, which could lead to skin
protection levels below those required. We then identified and
sourced a different coverall and another RPE respirator option to
overcome these problems, working closely with SOCA and MPS to
overcome particular difficulties associated with the compatibility
of individual items of PPE when worn as an ensemble.
Outcome/Benefits
Our testing showed that the RPE-hood interface of the new
coverall used with suitable RPE provided greatly improved
protection for IDL tasks. This protection exceeded the necessary
skin protection levels that we had identified from our hazard
analysis. We developed practical and cost-effective solutions to
overcome identified shortcomings related to equipment interface
problems, resulting in improved reliability of protection for
enforcement officers.
We delivered a full report which documents the hazard analysis,
our assessment of the required respiratory and skin protection
levels and our measured 'workplace protection factors' (WPFs) for
various PPE/RPE ensembles. HOSDB is now using this report and our
recommendations to inform their guidance to police officers on the
selection and safe use of appropriate PPE/RPE ensembles for IDL
work. Police working in IDL environments are now adopting the PPE
coverall and RPE options that we suggested, with our measured WPFs
providing confidence in the level of protection that these options
offer.
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