Decontamination Line and Stations

Decontamination procedures must be completed in an organized and sequenced way that reduces the levels of contamination.

As an example, the outer (and typically more contaminated) personal protective equipment, like boots and gloves, should be decontaminated and then removed. After this, the inner (and typically less contaminated items) like jackets and pants should be removed.

To prevent cross contamination, there should be a separate station for the removal of each of these items. (This is called the decontamination line.)

Remember these guidelines for setting up each station:

• Stations must be physically separated in order to prevent cross contamination.
• Stations should be arranged in order of decreasing contamination.
• If possible, stations should be arranged in a straight line.
• There should be separate stations in order to isolate workers from different contamination zones containing incompatible wastes.
• Entry and exit points should be clearly marked.
• The entry to the Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ) from the Exclusion Zone should be separate from the entry to the Exclusion Zone from the CRZ.
• Dressing stations for entry to the CRZ must be separate from redressing areas for exit from the CRZ.
• Personnel must be decontaminated before entering clean areas of the decontamination facility (like locker rooms).

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