What must personal protective equipment be able to resist during normal use?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be designed to resist tears and punctures during normal use because these properties are critical for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the equipment when handling pesticides. Pesticides can be hazardous chemicals, and any breach in the protective layer can lead to skin exposure, respiratory risks, or other health issues.

Resisting tears and punctures ensures that the integrity of the PPE is maintained, protecting the wearer from the potentially harmful effects of chemicals that might splash or spill. This is especially important in agricultural or pesticide application settings where sharp objects, equipment, and substances can come into contact with the protective gear.

While resistance to water and detergents, heat and cold, or wind and dust may also be beneficial features of certain types of PPE, the primary concern in the context of pesticide application is ensuring that the gear does not easily tear or get punctured, as this could directly lead to safety risks for the applicator. Thus, the ability to withstand tears and punctures is a fundamental requirement for effective protection.