Chemical Protective Clothing

Performance Requirements for Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC)

•Chemical Resistance:

•Durability

•Flexibility

•Temperature Resistance

•Service Life

•Cleanability

•Design

•Size

•Color

•Cost

Levels of Chemical Protection

In Hazardous Material operations there are four levels of protection.

•Level A

•Level B

•Level C

•Level D

Level A

Fully encapsulating suit with self-contained breathing apparatus

Level B

Self-contained breathing apparatus, Chemical protective clothing, gloves, and hard hat

Level C

Air-purifying respirator, chemical protective clothing, gloves, boots, and hard hat

Level D

Chemical-protective clothing, boots, gloves, and hard hat

Level A

Level A should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection is required.

Level A is used when:

•Conditions are unknown

•The hazardous substance has been identified and requires the highest level of protection for skin, eyes, and respiratory system

•Operations are being conducted in confined, poorly ventilated areas

•Work function involves a high potential for splash, immersion, or exposure to unexpected skin hazards

LEVEL B

Should be selected when the highest level of respiratory protected is needed and some degree of skin protection is required. Level B is the minimum recommendation for initial site entry.

Level B protection is used when:

•Air contaminants are unknown

•Air contaminants have been identified and the criteria for using APRs are not met

•IDLH air concentrations exist

•The atmosphere contains less than 19.5% oxygen

•Direct contact does not pose a severe skin hazard

LEVEL C

Level C should be selected when types of airborne contaminants are known, the concentrations are measured and the criteria for using air-purifying respirators (APRs) are met.

Level C protection is used when:

•Criteria for the use of APRs are met

•Air contaminants have been identified and concentrations measured

•Direct contact does not pose a skin hazard

LEVEL D

Level D should not be worn on any site with respiratory or skin hazards. Level D is primarily a work uniform providing minimal protection.

Level D protection is worn when:

•Atmosphere contains no known hazards

•Work functions precludes the potential for unexpected exposure to hazardous levels of any substances