ISO/TS 20141:2022

Personal safety — Personal protective equipment — Guidelines on compatibility testing of PPE

This document describes compatibility for ensembles of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used by personnel where operating situations and processes require more than one piece of PPE. Where there is more than one risk to health and safety, it is necessary to wear or use more than one item of PPE at the same time. Such equipment should be compatible and continue to be effective to minimise the risks. This document includes examples of interactions between items of PPE, between PPE and the operating environment and the effects of PPE on the correct functioning of integrated sensors and electronic devices. This document provides suggestions of test procedures to assess the effects of any interactions and identify unacceptable restrictions to safe operations. NOTE The principles of this document are also applicable to assessment of interactions with other items in an ensemble that are necessary to the work and that are not PPE, for example cap lamps, instruments, tools. This document is also intended to be a general guideline for writers of performance requirements standards and test methods for PPE. This document can also be used by PPE manufacturers, distributors, solutions providers, purchasers, wearers and employers as guidance in PPE design and selection.

Sécurité personnelle — Équipement de protection individuelle — Lignes directrices pour les essais de compatibilité des PPE

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Aug-2022
• ICS: 13.340.01 - Protective equipment in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 94 - Personal safety -- Personal protective equipment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 94/WG 1 - Compatibility of PPE items
• Current Stage: 9092 - International Standard to be revised
• Completion Date: 01-Sep-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 20141
First edition
2022-08
Personal safety — Personal protective
equipment — Guidelines on
compatibility testing of PPE
Sécurité personnelle — Équipement de protection individuelle —
Lignes directrices pour les essais de compatibilité des PPE
Reference number
ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
© ISO 2022

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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2022
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Compatibility . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Combination of items of PPE known to create problems . 3
4.3 Multiple hazard compatibility . 5
4.4 Consideration of environmental compatibility . 5
4.5 Thermal protection compatibility . 5
4.6 Chemical protection compatibility . 5
4.7 Mechanical protection compatibility . 6
4.8 Examples of issues . . 6
4.8.1 General . 6
4.8.2 Examples of compatibility situations. 7
4.9 Applicability of test methods to ensembles .12
4.9.1 General .12
4.9.2 Specific combinations .12
4.10 Applicability of test methods for compatibility of PPE items . 15
5 Principles of compatibility testing .15
5.1 General . 15
5.1.1 Selection of the components of an ensemble . 15
5.1.2 Selection of test persons . 16
5.1.3 Reports . 18
5.2 Guidelines for setting acceptance criteria . 18
5.2.1 General . 18
5.2.2 Principal factors to be considered . 18
6 Guidelines for practical performance tests .19
6.1 General . 19
6.2 Donning and doffing items of PPE in an ensemble . 19
6.2.1 Procedure . 19
6.2.2 Observations . 19
6.2.3 Report. 19
6.3 Head bending forward/backward and left/right . 19
6.3.1 Procedure . 19
6.3.2 Observations .20
6.3.3 Report. 20
6.4 Head shaking ‘no’ and nodding ‘yes’ . 20
6.4.1 Procedure .20
6.4.2 Observations . 21
6.4.3 Report. 21
6.5 Hands reaching above the head . 21
6.5.1 Procedure . 21
6.5.2 Observations . 22
6.5.3 Report.22
6.6 Torso flexing .22
6.6.1 Procedure .22
6.6.2 Observations . 24
6.6.3 Report. 24
6.7 Repeated bending movements of the arm . 24
6.7.1 Procedure . 24
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
6.7.2 Observations . 24
6.7.3 Report. 24
6.8 Lifting the upper legs .25
6.8.1 Procedure . 25
6.8.2 Observations .25
6.8.3 Report. 25
6.9 Grabbing and pinching . .25
6.9.1 Procedure . 25
6.9.2 Observations .26
6.9.3 Report. 27
6.10 Walking on a flat surface . 27
6.10.1 Procedure . 27
6.10.2 Observations . 27
6.10.3 Report. 27
6.11 Walking up and down a ladder and stairs .28
6.11.1 Procedure .28
6.11.2 Observations .28
6.11.3 Report.28
6.12 Bending over .29
6.12.1 Procedure .29
6.12.2 Observations .29
6.12.3 Report.29
6.13 Crawling . 29
6.13.1 Procedure .29
6.13.2 Observations .29
6.13.3 Report.30
6.14 Reading instruments and instructions .30
6.14.1 Procedure . 30
6.14.2 Observations . 30
6.14.3 Report.30
6.15 Handling tools .30
6.15.1 Procedure . 30
6.15.2 Observations . 31
6.15.3 Report. 31
6.16 Operation of PPE with electronic safety equipment . 31
6.16.1 Procedure . 31
6.16.2 Observations . 31
6.16.3 Report. 31
6.17 Multiple eye and face PPE and prescription spectacles . 32
6.17.1 Procedure . 32
6.17.2 Observations . 32
6.17.3 Report. 32
Annex A (informative) Experimental design and statistical testing .33
Bibliography .39
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Personal protective
Equipment.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
Introduction
When, following a risk assessment, users are required to wear more than one type of personal protective
equipment (PPE) to minimise the risk to their safety, health and well-being, it is important that there
are no negative interactions between wearers and the PPE, between the items of PPE and between the
PPE and other necessary items to the operations and processes.
Any item of PPE introduces some barrier between part(s) of the body and the environment. This barrier
is essential for protection, but it is recognized that this can have unwanted side-effects on the wearer
in terms of imposing additional physical effort, hindering movement, impairing sensory perception or
causing discomfort. Such side-effects can reduce the efficiency and accuracy of task performance and/
or discourage the user from wearing the PPE and, consequently compromising the level of protection
afforded.
This document deals with the identification of issues and provides guidance for test procedures to
assess the compatibility of items of PPE worn together in an ensemble and between the PPE and the
operating environment and processes.
International standards for PPE and requirements and test methods are generally related to individual
items of PPE and only a few, for instance ISO 10333-1, ISO 16073-2 and ISO/TS 11999-2, include the
assessment of interactions with other items of PPE. For instance, the interface between PPE items at
the neck, wrist and ankle needs to provide the appropriate coverage and functionality to protect the
wearer from hazards.
The ultimate responsibility for protective equipment is with the wearers’ employer, however there
may be different levels of shared responsibility with manufacturers and/or wearers themselves. The
employer is also the authority on their individual operating environment and processes
Since it is expected that a wide range of equipment may be used by personnel, it is important to note
that most PPE are not approved as an ensemble. It is the responsibility of those selecting the equipment
to determine if the selected PPE items are compatible and do not impair the performance of other
PPE nor impede the ability of the wearer to conduct their activities safely. Given the importance of
compatibility, those selecting the PPE ensemble should also be responsible for, or in close coordination
with those responsible for the respiratory protection program. Suitability factors should include, but
not be limited to issues such as correct use of each item of PPE, mobility, dexterity, field of view and
clarity of vision. Heat stress is an issue too but it is not addressed in this document.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
Personal safety — Personal protective equipment —
Guidelines on compatibility testing of PPE
1 Scope
This document describes compatibility for ensembles of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be
used by personnel where operating situations and processes require more than one piece of PPE. Where
there is more than one risk to health and safety, it is necessary to wear or use more than one item of
PPE at the same time. Such equipment should be compatible and continue to be effective to minimise
the risks.
This document includes examples of interactions between items of PPE, between PPE and the operating
environment and the effects of PPE on the correct functioning of integrated sensors and electronic
devices.
This document provides suggestions of test procedures to assess the effects of any interactions and
identify unacceptable restrictions to safe operations.
NOTE The principles of this document are also applicable to assessment of interactions with other items in
an ensemble that are necessary to the work and that are not PPE, for example cap lamps, instruments, tools.
This document is also intended to be a general guideline for writers of performance requirements
standards and test methods for PPE. This document can also be used by PPE manufacturers, distributors,
solutions providers, purchasers, wearers and employers as guidance in PPE design and selection.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 374-1, Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms — Part 1: Terminology and
performance requirements for chemical risks
ISO 374-2, Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms — Part 2: Determination of
resistance to penetration
ISO 4007, Personal protective equipment — Eye and face protection — Vocabulary
ISO 16972, Respiratory protective devices — Vocabulary and graphical symbols
ISO/TR 11610, Protective clothing — Vocabulary
ISO/TR 19591, Personal protective equipment for firefighters — Standard terms and definitions
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 374-1, ISO 374-2, ISO 4007,
ISO 16972, ISO/TR 11610, ISO/TR 19691 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
3.1
compatibility (of PPE)
situation where two or more elements of personal protective equipment may be used together and
perform appropriately without modification, adaption or mutual interference.
3.2
electronic safety equipment
ESE
products that contain or have associated electronics that provide enhanced safety functions for wearers
during use
3.3
ensemble
combination or assembly of multiple items that are individually compliant with a standard that provide
protection to the head, upper torso including arms and hands and the lower torso including feet
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.95]
3.4
harm
injury or damage to the health of people, or damage to property or the environment
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:2014, 3.1]
3.5
hazard
potential source of harm (3.4)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:2014, 3.2]
3.6
interface
common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, use environment or human beings
3.7
latin square design
n × n array filled with n different symbols, each occurring once only in each row and once only in each
column and which is used especially in the statistical design of experiments
3.8
personal protective equipment
PPE
any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more
health and safety hazards
[SOURCE: ISO 11660-1:2008, 3.1.15]
3.9
practical performance test
test procedure with wearers of PPE ensembles moving under specified conditions
3.10
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:2014, 3.9, modified — Note 1 to entry has been deleted.]
3.11
use conditions
conditions and processes for which an ensemble of PPE is used, including environmental and climatic
circumstances
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ISO/TS 20141:2022(E)
4 Compatibility
4.1 General
Compatibility is an issue when different types or combinations of PPE in an ensemble are worn together.
This may mean that each item of PPE will not be compatible with each other or may interfere with each
other. This may lead to protection being compromised and/or restrictions caused by the PPE that may
impede the ability to carry out the tasks. When considering compatibility of items of PPE, there are
three main criteria that need to be evaluated in the interest of safety:
— Interfaces – interface between PPE need to
...