Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Caustic soda solution is a very corrosive chemical. Special care must be taken when working with this chemical. Workers should be thoroughly trained regarding the hazards of caustic soda solution before starting any work involving this chemical. Customers should carefully develop and follow all procedures. Each caustic soda solution user is responsible for design and implementation of a storage and handling system that is suitable for its individual facility.

While it does not look dangerous, having the appearance of water, eye contact of only a few seconds can cause permanent damage, even blindness. Caustic soda solution is odorless, so odor cannot serve as a warning. In addition, caustic soda solution does not cause immediate pain when it comes in contact with the skin, but it does cause immediate damage. Brief contact with the skin may cause marked irritation or a chemical burn.

Upon bodily contact, caustic soda solution will continue to attack and penetrate the eyes or skin (unlike acids that coagulate protein to form a barrier). For additional information, see First Aid.

Protective Clothing and Equipment
All personnel handling caustic soda solution must wear the proper personal protective equipment.

1. Persons handling caustic soda solution must always wear close-fitting chemical worker’s safety goggles and chemical resistant gloves.
   
   
2. Additional clothing and equipment may be required, depending on the job. It is the responsibility of the facility using caustic soda solution to perform a job safety analysis to determine the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the task being performed.
   
   

   Personal Protective Equipment may include:

   • Hard hat.
   • Chemical resistant apron.
   • Full face shield (in addition to chemical worker’s safety goggles).
   • Chemical resistant boots.
   • Chemical protective suit (jacket and pants).
     The jacket should be buttoned up to the neck, the trousers worn outside the boots, and the shirt sleeves sealed at the glove unless a job safety analysis determines it is acceptable for the sleeve to be worn over the glove.
   • Full chemical protective suit with hood and an air supplied respirator.

For additional information on personal protective clothing and equipment, review Pamphlet 065 "Personal Protective Equipment for Chlor-Alkali Chemicals." This pamphlet and additional resource materials can be purchased through the Chlorine Institute web site or send your request via fax to (703) 741-6068.