id	author	title	date	pages	extension	mime	words	sentences	flesch	summary	cache	txt
cord-021907-omruua6n	Hick, John L.	Personal Protective Equipment	2009-05-15		.txt	text/plain	6379	363	47	• Use of respirators made it difficult for workers to communicate with each other, often resulting in users breaking the face seal to talk • Turnout gear (the common protective garments used by firefighters) increased heat stress and physical fatigue • At the WTC, the rubble pile was so hot in places that it melted the soles of workers' boots; providing wash stations to cool the boots resulted in wet feet and serious blisters for many workers; some 440 WTC disaster response workers sought treatment for blisters • Steel-reinforced boots (soles and toes) protected against punctures by sharp objects but conducted and retained heat, which contributed to blisters and burns • Structural firefighting gloves worked well until they got wet and hardened, reducing their dexterity • WTC disaster response workers did not consistently protect their hands against potential hazards such as human remains and bodily fluids • Safety glasses were readily available but often were open at the sides and did not offer adequate protection against airborne particles • Goggles were uncomfortable, hindered peripheral vision, tended to fog, and did not fit well in conjunction with half-face respirators • Many disaster response workers at the WTC (especially law enforcement officers) did not consistently use hearing protection, even around heavy machinery, because they needed to hear their radios and voices and listen for tapping when they were searching for survivors • Most volunteers at the WTC, Pentagon, and Oklahoma City did not receive pre-event training on PPE and hazardous materials • Although firefighters generally received detailed pre-event training, this was less true for law enforcement officers • Accurate "real-time" hazard information was not readily available, especially during the anthrax incidents • Protection from falls was available at some sites (in the form of ropes and harnesses) but was inconsistently used	./cache/cord-021907-omruua6n.txt	./txt/cord-021907-omruua6n.txt