ASTM F23 Overview
for the D13 Committee
Tampa, Florida
January 29, 2008
Thomas E. Neal
Neal Associates Ltd.
F23 Committee Overview Topics
• History
• Expanded Scope
• Structure and Process
• Committee Liaisons
• Subcommittees—Key Standards and New
Initiatives
• Interface with other organizations
• Direction for new standards development
F23 History
• 1977—Need identified for Standards to protect
workers from occupational hazards
• 1978—First meeting of F23 at ASTM HQ
• 1983—F739 test method on chemical permeation
• 1985—F955 test method on molten metal splash
• 50 standards addressing six categories of
occupational hazards
• Membership grew from 50 to ~240 over 30 years
F23 Scope
This Committee will develop standard
specifications, test methods, practices,
guides, terminology, and classifications for
protective clothing and related personal
protective equipment (PPE) designed and
constructed to protect the user from
potential occupational hazards and/or
provide a barrier to prevent the user from
being a source of contamination.
This Committee will coordinate its efforts with
other ASTM Committees and outside
organizations having mutual interests.
F23 Committee on Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Expanded Scope in 2006 to include personal
protective equipment
• Six Subcommittees for specific hazards
• Standard administrative Subcommittees
including ISO TAG for PPE
• Important interfaces with other ASTM
committees and external organizations
• Plans to add new subcommittee and liaison
committee to meet emerging needs
ASTM F23 Organization
F23 Committee
Administrative
Subcommittees
F23.20 Subcommittee
Physical Hazards
F23.60 Subcommittee
Human Factors
F23.30 Subcommittee
Chemical Hazards
F23.70 Subcommittee
Radiological Hazards
F23.40 Subcommittee
Biological Hazards
F23.80 Subcommittee
Thermal Hazards
F23 Administrative Subcommittees
• F23.90 Executive Subcommittee
– Nominating Committee
– Awards Committee
– Plan to create new standing committee to manage liaison with
other standards bodies and end users
• F23.91 Terminology Subcommittee
– Vince Diaz, Chair
• F23.92 .93 .94 Publicity, Education & Symposia
• F23.95 Planning Subcommittee
– Angie Shepherd, Chair and Vice-Chair of F23
• F23.96 ISO TAG
– Jeff Stull, Chair
PPE Standards Process
Conduct
Hazard
Assessment
Prepare
PPE Selection
Guidance
Establish PPE
Criteria and
Specification
Verify PPE
Conformity to
Standard
• Users rely on standard so they don’t have to know all
the details about product performance
• Each part of the process is important to ensure that
the correct product is selected and that it will perform
as expected
Principal ASTM Committee Liaisons
D11
Rubber
E12
Visibility
F23
Protective
Clothing and
Equipment
D13
Textiles
D20
Plastic
s
E54
Homelan
d
Security
F18
Electrical
Workers
Key F23 External Liaisons
• Synergistic relationship in developing
test methods for specifications
• Joint standards development and
promotion through MOU
• Input to worker protection practices in
key industry (e.g. industrial hygiene)
• Representative for United States in
PPE related international standards
F23.20 Physical Hazards
Libby Parrish, Chair
• Key Standards
–
–
–
–
–
F1342 puncture resistance
F1670 cut resistance
F1414 chainsaw resistance
F1818 chainsaw foot protection
F1897 chainsaw leg protection
• New Initiatives
– Needlestick puncture resistance
F23.30 Chemical Hazards
Jim Zeigler, Chair
• Key Standards
– F739 (permeation)
– F903 (penetration)
– F1001 Chemical Test Battery
– F1052 (inflation test)
– F1359 (liquid integrity)
– F2588 (MIST)
• New Initiatives
– Air-fed ensembles
– New permeation procedure
– Chemotherapy gowns
F23.40 Biological Hazards
David Johnson, Chair
• Key Standards
–
–
–
–
F1670 blood penetration
F1671 viral penetration
F1862 mask blood test
F2100 medical face
masks
– F2407 surgical gowns
• New Initiatives
– Mask decontamination
– Antimicrobial test
F23.60 Human Factors
Shawn Deaton, Chair
• Key Standards
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
F1154 Form/function
F1291 Manikin clo test
F1868 Total heat loss
F2010 Glove dexterity
F2300 Cooling systems
F2370 Sweating manikin
F2668 Physiological practice
• New Initiatives
– Material wicking (GATS)
– Clothing insulation ratings
F23.70 Radiological Hazards
Gary Glenn, Chair
• Key Standards
– F2547 X-ray attenuation
• New Initiatives
– Fluoroscopic to inspect Xray vests
– Apparel for nuclear power
plant workers
– Attenuation of high energy
radiation
– Radiological emergency
responder PPE
F23.80 Thermal Hazards
David Loftin, Chair
• Key Standards
– F955 (molten metal
splash)
– F1060 (conductive heat)
– F1930 (thermal manikin)
– F1939 (radiant
performance)
• New Initiatives
–
–
–
–
New TPP procedures
Stored energy test
Hot liquid test
Heat resistance
D6413 Test Method Vertical Flammability
F1930 Simulated Flash Fire Test Method
F1930 Simulated Flash Fire Test Method
Key F23 Initiatives
• Foster more end user involvement in standards
process
• Work towards more end product specifications
– Example: air-fed protective ensembles
• Address gaps in personnel protection for
applications or hazards not addressed
– Agricultural protective clothing
– Radiological protective equipment
• Work on protective equipment standards in line
with expanded scope
• Establish new subcommittee on Certification and
Interoperability
Questions & Comments