HAZMAT Suits – Levels of Protection

HAZMAT SUITS –LEVELS OF PROTECTION

WHAT IS A HAZMAT SUIT?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines a hazmat suit as "an overall garment worn to protect people from hazardous materials or substances, including chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials."

LEVEL A

TYPES OF HAZMAT SUIT

LEVEL B

protection is required when the greatest potential for exposure to hazards exists.

LEVEL C

LEVEL

D

Protection is a simple work uniform affording minimal protection.

protection is needed under circumstances that require the highest level of respiratory protection, but a lower level of skin protection is needed. protection is required when the concentration and type of airborne contaminants have been identified and the criteria for using airpurifying respirators are met.

LEVEL

A

This level provides the highest available level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection from solid, liquid, and gaseous chemicals.

This ensemble is used when the hazards have been identified to pose a high level of threat to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. For example, operations that are conducted in poorly ventilated areas and confined spaces require the use of level A protection.

LEVEL B

This ensemble provides the same level of respiratory protection as Level A, but less skin protection. Level B provides liquid splash protection but does not safeguard against chemicals and vapors.

LEVEL C

This level provides the same level of skin protection as Level B (that is, liquid splash protection but no chemical or vapor protection), but a lower level of respiratory protection.

Level C ensembles are used when contact with contaminants on-site will not affect the skin.

LEVEL D

This level of protection is used when the atmosphere contains no known hazard and work functions preclude splashes, immersion, the potential for inhalation, or direct contact with hazardous levels of chemicals.

A FINAL NOTE

While the above are some general guidelines for typical personal protective equipment to be used in certain circumstances, other combinations of protective equipment may be used based on specific site characteristics. The type of equipment and level of protection must be periodically reevaluated as site conditions or when workers’ job duties change. For the full article: https://hazwoper-osha.com/blog-post/hazmat-suits-levels-of-protection

THANK YOU