What should responders do if a responder's PPE is compromised?

What should responders do if a responder's PPE is compromised?

• A. Immediately retreat to a safe area and perform decontamination; replace PPE before re-entry.
• B. Continue the operation and reassess after 10 minutes.
• C. Notify supervisor and wait outside without decontamination.
• D. Debrief at end of shift and replace PPE.

Answer: (A)

When PPE is compromised, the primary goal is to prevent exposure and restore a safe barrier as quickly as possible. The correct action is to retreat to a clean area, start decontamination to remove any contaminants, and replace the PPE before re-entering. This sequence protects skin, eyes, and respiratory pathways from further contact and ensures the protective equipment is functioning again before you resume work.

Retreating immediately stops the spread of contamination and reduces the chance of deeper exposure. Decontamination removes any hazardous residues from skin and gear, lowering the risk of secondary contamination or absorption. Replacing with clean PPE restores an intact protective barrier, so you can safely return to tasks.

Continuing the operation and reassessing later does not address the immediate risk; contaminants can continue to contact you or spread. Waiting outside without decontamination leaves you and others at risk of further exposure. Debriefing at the end of the shift doesn’t mitigate the hazard or enable safe re-entry during the incident.