Airspade PPE- recommendation needed

[NickfromWI]

We do maybe one airspade job per month. We buy those tyvek oompa-loompa suits. They all basically suck. Or at least I haven't found a good one.

You guys have any recommendations? Maybe I just gotta get full body Dickies for the crew...

love
nick

 

[CurSedVoyce]

NAPA here often has those full cover alls for mechanics second hand cheap. I use mine for all kinds of stuff and they breathe better. No mind you, I have not tried one on an air spade job. We never get any
If nothing else, they double nicely as a shop coverall when working on chippers and things

 

[flushcut]

I don't have an air-spade but have seen John Sanborn run his several times and he wears a full face respirator, ear plugs, and a hooded rain jacket. I think the full face respirator and ear plugs are the most important part of it all.

 

[NickfromWI]

Crew all have ear muffs on their helmet. I think they're better for the AirSpade because it keeps the dirt out of the nooks and crannies that the ear plugs DONT fill.

Full face respirator like this?

I can't stand those. The plastic gets crazy scratched halfway through the first job. I think mesh is better. Protos ftw! Safety glasses of course.

Naps sells second hand cover alls?

 

[flushcut]

Yep like that one!

 

[ValleyArborist]

Those respirators are pretty important. They are starting to see evidence of people developing "brown lung" from working in dirty environments. A lot of the big companies, like Bartlett, have made these required ppe for Rcx work. I also use Tyvek suits to keep the crud off of me. I hate airspade work

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Look up Valley Fever as well... bad JUJU.. And you are susceptible to it down in the area you are in.