Personal protective clothing must be worn while engaged in what activity?

Personal protective clothing is essential for ensuring the safety of personnel, particularly in environments where they may be exposed to hazards. When it comes to overhaul and cleanup, this phase of firefighting involves dealing with residual hazards that remain after the fire has been extinguished. This can include exposure to smoke, toxic fumes, and potentially hazardous materials that fire may have interacted with, such as chemicals or debris.

The use of personal protective clothing during these activities helps to reduce the risk of injury from thermal burns, cuts, or inhalation of harmful substances. It is crucial for firefighters to remain protected while assessing the aftermath of a fire scene, which might still pose dangers that were not immediately apparent during active firefighting efforts.

In contrast, while training drills also require protective clothing for safety, they are designed in a controlled environment that does not carry the same level of risk as actual fire situations. Office work and community engagements generally do not involve the same exposure to hazardous environments, thereby reducing the need for personal protective gear during those activities.