Personal protective equipment (PPE) for investigating and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories

1.1
This Standard provides requirements and guidance to assist first responders and other agencies in selecting the appropriate level and type of personal protective equipment (PPE) when investigating and dismantling clandestine synthetic drug laboratories (CDLs) and marijuana grow operations (MGOs) so as to reduce personal risk in the execution of their responsibilities. 

1.2
This Standard takes a risk assessment approach in providing recommendations for whole-body protection (respiratory and dermal) to protect against anticipated and known hazards and risks associated with CDL and MGO operations. To facilitate PPE selection, this Standard provides information on the elements of an illicit drug response operation and hazards and risks associated with CDLs and MGOs. This Standard addresses integration with other PPE and provides guidance on limitations of PPE. 

1.3
This Standard does not address operational or tactical procedures for responding to a CDL or MGO, except where they have a direct impact on the selection of PPE. This Standard does not provide information on sampling procedures or analytical methods for illicit drugs and associated chemicals. This Standard does not address the remediation phase of a CDL or MGO; however, the guidance provided in this Standard may be used by agencies involved in remediation activities. 

Clandestine explosive laboratories can be mistaken for a CDL since common chemicals can be found in both. Synthetic drug labs and homemade explosive labs have similar characteristics and dangerous conditions as they share common precursors and processes. Certain explosives can be mistaken for drugs, specifically hydrogen peroxide-based explosives triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), which are crystalline, odourless, shock sensitive powders similar in appearance to a synthetic drug. 

1.4
Within the Canadian legislative framework, a variety of regulations apply to the first responders, depending on the jurisdiction. These shall be taken into consideration when using this Standard. 

1.5
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. 

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. 

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. 

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.