TM 1-1500-204-23-11
in repair do not yet have PELs or TLVs established.
have a moderate resistance to some solvents and
However, the materials used to perform repair can be
can usually be used for all advanced composite repair
used safely and successfully if the composite worker
processes. Vinyl gloves lack solvent resistance and
takes the proper safety precautions such as appro-
should not be used for solvent wiping. If routinely
priate engineering controls and personal protective
using MEK or acetone, latex gloves will stand up
equipment (PPE) as outlined in this section. Periodic
better to the solvent. Powder-free gloves should be
monitoring by an industrial hygienist of dust collection
used when available. Powdered gloves may be used
and exhaust/ventilation equipment can ensure proper
on advanced composites; however, excess powder
operation.
should be removed.
(1) Units of Measure. PEL and TLV concen-
(2) Plastic Gloves. Plastic gloves are accept-
trations are expressed on MSDSs using the following
able for working with epoxy resin systems used to
units of measure:
repair composite parts. They provide the operator
with more than adequate dexterity for repair opera-
(a) mg/m3. Milligrams of the contaminant
tions. They also can be used to prevent dust buildup
in skin pores during machining operations but provide
per cubic meter of air. A unit usually used for
little protection against iber penetration or abrasion.
expressing concentrations of dusts, or mists but may
Plastic gloves should not be used when working with
also be used for gases and vapors in air.
solvents.
(b) ppm. Parts per million. A unit for
(3) Latex, Surgeon Gloves Surgeon Latex
measuring the concentration of a gas or vapor in
gloves are acceptable for working with Methyl Ethyl
air. It is the number of parts of a gas or vapor in a
Ketone (MEK) and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK).
million parts of air.
They have the disadvantage of being somewhat stiff
and do not conform well enough to the hand to allow
(c) f/cc. Fibers per cubic centimeter of air.
good dexterity.
A unit for measuring airborne iber levels.
(4) Cotton Gloves. Cotton gloves may be used
2-5. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
as a liner in latex, nitrile or vinyl gloves. They can
. Personal protective equipment (eye protection,
also be used to prevent contamination of dry fabrics
gloves, aprons, respirators, etc.) should be worn
and honeycomb from the oils and dirt found on the
during handling and repair of advanced composite
skin; only clean, low-lint gloves should be used.
materials. The PPE required to safely handle a spe-
Clean-barrier gloves can be used in place of cotton
ciic material is provided in the supplier s MSDS and
gloves. White cotton gloves should be used for
should be consulted to determine the PPE to use.
handling ilm adhesives and prepared repair details
If the PPE recommended by the MSDS differs from
during layup. These gloves do not provide worker
the PPE recommended in table 2-1, the MSDS takes
protection from resins. It is recommended that plastic
precedence.
gloves be worn under the cotton gloves to provide
the required protection.
a. Chemical Resistant Gloves. Chemical resis-
tant gloves of different materials vary in their ability
(5) Leather and Leather Palmed Gloves.
to prevent certain chemicals from soaking through to
Leather provides protection against iber penetration
your skin. The gloves must provide a positive liquid
and abrasion when handling cured composites which
proof barrier to the chemicals used. The gloves must
have not been trimmed or which have been damaged.
neither degrade upon exposure to these chemicals
They also provide some thermal insulation when
nor permit permeation of them. Gloves used for repair
handling parts subjected to elevated temperatures
operations should allow enough dexterity to facilitate
(less than 300 F). They are not impermeable to
hand layup operations as well as being free of pow-
chemicals and will allow them to soak through to
der, silicone or other loose surface particles.
the skin.
(1) Latex, Nitrile or Vinyl-barrier Gloves.
(6) Glove Removal. The proper method to
Nitrile, latex or vinyl-barrier gloves are normally used
remove protective gloves contaminated with a toxic
when handling adhesives, pre-pregs, and dry ibers.
material without experiencing secondary exposure is
Thick butyl rubber chemical-resistant gloves interfere
shown in igure 2-2.
with proper handling and placement of repair plies
and should not be used for ply layup. Nitrile gloves
2-5
