Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect the body against contact with known or anticipated chemical hazards has been divided into four levels. These levels have been established and agreed upon by the US EPA, US Coast Guard, OSHA, DOT, NIOSH, and other agencies.

1. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Levels of Protection

2. Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to protect
the body against contact
with known or anticipated
chemical hazards has been
divided into four levels.
These levels have been
established and agreed
upon by the US EPA, US
Coast Guard, OSHA, DOT,
NIOSH, and other agencies.

3. Level A
Level A protection must be used
when the highest level of skin, eye,
and respiratory protection is
required based on measured levels
or potential for high concentrations
of atmospheres, vapors, gases or
particulates, or when a high
potential for skin contact with
harmful materials exists.

4. Level A equipment includes:
• Pressure-demand (positive pressure) full-face self-
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or airline
respirator with escape SCBA;
• Totally encapsulating vapor tight chemical-protective
suit;
• Hard hat;
• Gloves - outer and inner, chemical resistant;
• Boots - chemical resistant, steel toe, and shank; and
• Two-way radio (worn inside suit).

5. Level B
Level B protection must be used
when the highest level of
respiratory protection is required
(as in Level A), but a lesser degree
of skin protection is required.

6. Level B equipment includes:
• Pressure-demand (positive pressure) full-face SCBA
or airline respirator with escape SCBA;
• Hooded, chemical resistant clothing, such as one or
two piece splash suit or disposable chemical
resistant coveralls;
• Gloves - outer and inner, chemical resistant;
• Boots - chemical resistant, steel toe, and shank;
• Hard hat; and
• Two-way radio (worn inside suit).

7. Level C
Level C protection must be worn
when airborne contaminants are
known and the criteria for using
air purifying respiratory is
met. Level C equipment includes:
• Gloves - outer and inner,
chemical resistant;

8. • Full-face or half-mask air purifying respirators
with cartridges approved for the type of
exposures likely to be encountered;
• Hooded, chemical resistant clothing, such as
overalls, and long-sleeved jacket, one or two
piece splash suit or disposable, chemical resistant
coverage;
• Boots - chemical resistant, steel toe, and shank;
• Hard hat; and
• Two-way radio.

9. Level D
Level D is the basic work uniform that
should be used whenever
necessary. It provides only minimal
protection. Level D equipment, used
as appropriate, includes:
• Boots - chemical resistant, steel
toe and shank;
• Gloves;
• Safety glasses; and
• Hard hat.

10. Additional PPE
If you work in a position that poses other or
additional risks it may be beneficial to use added PPE
such as a face shield (if you are working near
sparking activity), noise canceling earmuffs if you are
working around loud equipment, a dust mask if you
will be around non-hazardous flying particulates, and
a reflective safety vest to help ensure you are always
seen.

11. Today and every day, talk about
your facility safety culture and
how to promote the use of PPE
at all times to protect the safety
and health of yourself and your
co-workers.
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