For years, research has been ongoing on how to optimize hygiene in controlled areas in industry. Nowadays, there are technical criteria that guarantee excellent air renewal. But there is still one aspect that remains to be addressed, and that is worker protection. Personal protective gloves for clean areas provide a solution to this problem.

The need to ensure protection in controlled areas

There are industries, such as aerospace, that require the establishment of areas with a controlled concentration of particulate matter. For this purpose, the ISO 14644 standard establishes the limits of these spaces, both in operation and at rest. The objective is to prevent the development of sensitive machinery from being impaired.

One of the most relevant processes is the manufacture of sensors. In fact, the calibration sub-process must be performed in a highly sanitized environment to avoid contamination. A simple mistake in this regard can have very significant economic consequences for the company. It is therefore advisable to incorporate all appropriate preventive measures.

It must be taken into account that the evolution of the aerospace sector itself means that constant adaptation is necessary. Semiconductors are becoming smaller and smaller. As a result, it is paramount to minimize the chances of contamination, especially given the scarcity of microchips.

The handling of parts made from sensitive raw materials must also be carried out in controlled areas. This is an issue that can be solved with the installation of a clean room. But what about the workers? The absence of hygienic means of protection entails a risk that can be unacceptable.

The present risk of cross-contamination

When talking about cross-contamination in a controlled area, the aerospace sector has an important background. There are entire projects that have failed due to the presence of harmful particles on satellites or airplanes. As a result, millions of dollars in losses have been incurred by leading companies.

Employees should be provided with personal protective clothing adapted to low particle concentration environments. One example is the AlphaTec® 1500 Model 138 coverall , which protects the worker against hazardous particles in general environments. Otherwise, the investment in sterilization will grow excessively large and may not even be effective. The key is to avoid irreparable damage to the final products that could damage the image of the business.

Hands are the main means of contamination, as is logical. Direct contact with semiconductors or intermediates is common in the most sensitive processes. These include assembly, assembly and endurance testing. It is essential to isolate the possibility of committing any negligence in this regard.

Personal protective equipment for clean rooms

At Ansell we manufacture proven effective media for work in controlled areas. The aerospace industry can guarantee safety and hygiene in its facilities thanks to our disposable coveralls. They are made of microporous polypropylene laminated fabric, such as AlphaTec® 1800 STANDARD Model 111, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination of critical areas. As they are silicone and latex free, they are compatible with disinfection rooms. They react effectively to sanitizing compounds and facilitate their uniform distribution for complete coverage. Its finish has low or no lint release, which mitigates environmental contamination.

It is essential that the worker has full coverage. To this end, the personal protective clothing manufactured at Ansell incorporates elastic at the wrists and ankles. It is also comfortable for the user thanks to its breathable finish, which does not compromise stability or agility.

These suits are equipped with chemical resistance systems. The purpose is to avoid constant inhalation by the employee and to avoid cross contamination. Work in controlled areas must be planned in such a way that it does not affect the environment. To this end, PPE must function as an additional preventive measure.

SAFETY GLOVES FOR THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

There are other excellent means for the aerospace industry, such as manual protection. A cut-resistant glove is essential for processes such as machining or metal profiling. They are nitrile coated and approved to demonstrate their potential for the most technical tasks in the industry.

On the other hand, we have a safety glove suitable for touch screens. It is designed for the machine-tested process, which is vital for semiconductors. In this way, it is possible to control the test without having to take off the gloves. The aim is to provide complete and long-lasting protection.

Thanks to Ansell's commitment to maximum safety measures, the aerospace industry has placed its trust in the brand. The result is the product of collaborative work between the two and a complete orientation towards the challenges of the future. As always, the most important thing is to protect the worker and ensure the efficiency of each process.

As you can see, personal protective gloves for clean areas are essential. They constitute a means of hygiene for the worker and also for the environment. Marketed and manufactured by Ansell, they incorporate innovative safety measures to contribute to the current needs of the industry.