PPE Recommendations
Module: ChemIQ | Tier: Standard and Pro
Tellus simplifies PPE management by reading the PPE requirements from each chemical's SDS and translating them into specific, actionable recommendations — telling you exactly what type of gloves, eye protection, respirator, and body protection you need, with enough detail to make purchasing decisions.
The Problem It Solves
SDS documents describe PPE requirements in generic terms that leave you guessing:
| What the SDS Says | What You Actually Need to Know |
|---|---|
| "Chemical resistant nitrile rubber gloves" | What thickness (mil)? Which brands meet the requirement? |
| "Safety glasses with side shields" | What ANSI rating? When do I need splash goggles instead? |
| "Use in well-ventilated area" | What cartridge type? What assigned protection factor? |
| "Wear protective clothing" | Lab coat? Chemical apron? Full Tyvek coverall? |
Tellus bridges this gap — turning vague SDS language into specific PPE specifications based on the actual hazards present.
How It Works
For each chemical in your inventory, Tellus:
- Reads SDS Section 8 — Extracts the PPE requirements written by the manufacturer
- Analyzes GHS hazard data — Cross-references hazard classifications (H-codes) to determine the level of protection needed
- Applies NIOSH and OSHA guidelines — Uses federal PPE selection criteria to determine the appropriate protection level
- Generates specific recommendations — Recommends exact PPE specifications with confidence scoring
What You Get
Hand Protection
- Glove material — Nitrile, butyl, neoprene, PVC, Viton, or natural rubber based on the specific chemicals
- Thickness — Minimum mil thickness required for adequate breakthrough time
- Breakthrough time — How long the glove material resists the chemical
| Material | Best For | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Oils, greases, acids, caustics, alcohols | Strong oxidizers, ketones |
| Butyl | Ketones, esters, aldehydes, strong acids/bases | Hydrocarbons, gasoline |
| Neoprene | Hydrocarbons, alcohols, oils | Strong oxidizers |
| Viton | Aromatic/chlorinated solvents | Ketones, esters |
Eye Protection
- Safety glasses — For splash-free environments with particle hazards
- Chemical splash goggles — For liquids that could splash; required for corrosives
- Face shield — For high-splash or high-pressure operations; always worn with goggles
- ANSI rating — Z87.1 compliance level required
Respiratory Protection
- No respiratory protection needed — When engineering controls are sufficient
- Half-face respirator — With specific cartridge type (organic vapor, acid gas, P100, etc.)
- Full-face respirator — When eye irritation is also a concern
- SCBA or supplied air — For IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) conditions
- Cartridge type — Matched to the specific chemical family
- Assigned Protection Factor (APF) — How much exposure reduction the respirator provides
Body Protection
- Lab coat — For incidental contact risk
- Chemical apron — For splash protection during handling
- Chemical-resistant coverall — For significant exposure risk
- Full chemical suit — For high-hazard operations
Confidence Scoring
Each recommendation includes a confidence score indicating how certain Tellus is about the recommendation:
| Confidence | What It Means |
|---|---|
| High | SDS provides specific PPE requirements; recommendation is well-supported |
| Medium | SDS provides general guidance; recommendation is based on hazard class and NIOSH guidelines |
| Low | SDS lacks PPE details; recommendation is based solely on GHS classification |
Always review recommendations with your safety professional, especially for low-confidence ratings.
OSHA Requirements for PPE Selection
Per OSHA's PPE Standard (29 CFR 1910.132-138):
- Employers must assess the workplace for hazards requiring PPE
- PPE must be selected based on the specific hazards present — effective PPE management starts with knowing what each chemical demands
- Employees must be trained on proper PPE use, care, and limitations
- Gloves must be selected based on the material being handled and the type of hazard (29 CFR 1910.138)
Important: No single glove material protects against all chemicals. Using the wrong glove can give workers a false sense of security — the chemical may permeate the glove without visible damage.
Where to Find PPE Recommendations
- Chemical details page — Each chemical shows its PPE recommendations in a dedicated section
- Inventory list — PPE icons indicate the types of protection required
- PPE report — Summary of all PPE requirements across your inventory
Who Uses This
| Role | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Admin | View PPE recommendations for all chemicals; use data for PPE purchasing decisions |
| Manager | View PPE recommendations for chemicals at managed sites |
| Program Coordinator | Review PPE recommendations as part of compliance oversight |
| Employee | View PPE recommendations for chemicals in their work area |
Tier Availability
| Feature | Starter | Standard | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDS Section 8 PPE display | Included | Included | Included |
| AI PPE recommendations | — | Included | Included |
| Confidence scoring | — | Included | Included |
| Brand/product suggestions | — | — | Included |
Common Tasks
Related
- Chemical Inventory — PPE recommendations appear on chemical detail pages
- SDS Library — PPE data comes from SDS Section 8
- Compliance Center — PPE is part of your overall compliance posture
- Regulatory Lists Guide — OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL context