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Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
PPE-LevelsA-D
Defining Personal Protective Equipment Levels A to D
Level A | |
OSHA Level A - To be selected when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required. The following constitute Level A equipment: 1. Positive pressure, full face-piece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 2. Totally-encapsulating chemical-protective suit. 3. Coveralls. (as needed) 4. Long underwear. (as needed) 5. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. 6. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. 7. Boots, chemical-resistant, steel toe and shank. 8. Hard hat (under suit). (as needed) 9. Disposable protective suit, gloves and boots (depending on suit construction, may be worn over totally-encapsulating suit). From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0120_APP_B.html Vapor protective suit (meets NFPA 1991) From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_1.html EPA Level "A" Response Personal Protective Equipment -required when the greatest potential for exposure to hazards exists, and when the greatest level of skin, respiratory and eye protection is required. These fully encapsulating suits afford protection against petroleum products and halogenated hydrocarbons, as well as against nerve and blister agents. From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0120_APP_B.html Coveralls, safety boots/shoes, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_1.html | [ IMAGE : /vasafety/images/Level-A.jpg ] From: Airtight seals with SCBA or airline
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Level B | |
OSHA Level B - The highest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of skin protection is needed. The following constitute Level B equipment: 1. Positive pressure, full-facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA (NIOSH approved). 2. Hooded chemical-resistant clothing (overalls and long-sleeved jacket; coveralls; one or two-piece chemical-splash suit; disposable chemical-resistant overalls). 3. Coveralls.(as needed) 4. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. 5. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. 6. Boots, outer, chemical-resistant steel toe and shank. 7. Boot-covers, outer, chemical-resistant (disposable). (as needed) 8. Hard hat. (as needed) 9. [Reserved] 10. Face shield. (as needed) From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0120_APP_B.html Additional OSHA Notes
From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_1.html EPA Level "B" Personal Protective Equipment - required under circumstances requiring the highest level of respiratory protection, with a lesser level of skin protection. EPA's ERT has both fully encapsulating suits that provide for additional splash protection and coveralls that are used in situations where splash hazards are not anticipated or expected. | [ IMAGE : /vasafety/images/Level-B.jpg ] From: http://www.protectivesuits.com/info.html No-airtight seals
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Level C | |
OSHA Level C - The concentration(s) and type(s) of airborne substance(s) is known and the criteria for using air purifying respirators are met. The following constitute Level C equipment: 1. Full-face or half-mask, air purifying respirators (NIOSH approved). 2. Hooded chemical-resistant clothing (overalls; two-piece chemical-splash suit; disposable chemical-resistant overalls). 3. Coveralls. (as needed) 4. Gloves, outer, chemical-resistant. 5. Gloves, inner, chemical-resistant. 6. Boots (outer), chemical-resistant steel toe and shank. (as needed) 7. Boot-covers, outer, chemical-resistant (disposable). (as needed) 8. Hard hat. (as needed) 9. Escape mask. (as needed) 10. Face shield. (as needed) From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0120_APP_B.html Additional OSHA Notes
From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_1.html EPA Level "C" Personal Protective Equipment - used when the concentration and type of airborne substances is known, and the criteria for using air-purifying respirators are met. From -- http://www.epa.gov/swercepp/pubs/cntr-ter.html SBCCOM - Army Testing of Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) System and Cartidges Article by Author Robert Cox, M.D., Ph.D. Do not use common latex gloves or untreated Tyvek suits. | [ IMAGE : /vasafety/images/Level-C.jpg ] From: http://www.tricon-env.com/respak.html Photo literature on 3M Brand cartridge:
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Level D | |
OSHA Level D - A work uniform affording minimal protection: used for nuisance contamination only. The following constitute Level D equipment: 1. Coveralls. 2. Gloves. (as needed) 3. Boots/shoes, chemical-resistant steel toe and shank. 4. Boots, outer, chemical-resistant (disposable). (as needed) 5. Safety glasses or chemical splash goggles. (as needed) 6. Hard hat. (as needed) 7. Escape mask. (as needed) 8. Face shield. (as needed) From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0120_APP_B.html Coveralls, safety boots/shoes, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles From -- http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_1.html No danger of chemical exposure exists. Current recommendations for PPE to be used in situations of radiation contamination suggest only Level D type protection plus a dust filter for respiratory protection. |
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Reviewed/Updated Date: June 14, 2002