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Waste & RecyclingSuiting up at the right level of protection

Your protective equipment is chosen from the hazards found on the site, from Level A to Level D. You check it, put it on by the donning procedure and keep track of the task time and the heat. The level goes up when new information shows more protection is needed. It follows paragraphs (c)(5) and (g) and Appendix B of the federal HAZWOPER rule.

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Scenarios

  • Initial entry when the preliminary evaluation does not identify the hazards: at least Level B, with direct reading instruments for life-threatening conditions.
  • An identified substance with a high degree of hazard to the skin, and skin contact is possible: Level A.
  • The airborne contaminants are identified and measured, and an air-purifying respirator can remove them: Level C.
  • The atmosphere has no known hazard and the work rules out splashes or unexpected contact: Level D.

The steps

  1. Know the hazards identified in the site characterization: your protective equipment is selected to protect you from them.
  2. Know the level set for your task: A for the greatest skin, respiratory and eye protection; B for the highest respiratory protection with less skin protection; C when the airborne substances are known and air-purifying respirators qualify; D, a work uniform for nuisance contamination only.
  3. Where the exposure could cause immediate death, immediate serious illness or injury, or impair your escape: a positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, or a positive-pressure air-line respirator with an escape air supply.
  4. Where skin absorption could do the same: a totally-encapsulating chemical protective suit, the protection of Level A.
  5. On initial entry without a positive-pressure breathing apparatus, when respiratory protection is warranted: carry an escape breathing apparatus of at least five minutes.
  6. Inspect the equipment before use, and again during and after use.
  7. Put it on by the donning procedure, with the fit you were trained in.
  8. Keep track of the work mission duration, heat stress and temperature extremes.

Safety rules that stop the station

  • Protection goes up when new information shows it is needed to keep exposures below the limits; it comes down only when information shows lower protection will not cause hazardous exposures.
  • Over-protection and under-protection can both be hazardous, and both are avoided where possible.

To pass

  • Level A: positive-pressure full-facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied-air respirator with escape unit, totally-encapsulating chemical-protective suit, inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant boots with steel toe and shank.
  • Level B: the same respiratory protection, hooded chemical-resistant clothing, inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves and chemical-resistant boots.
  • Level C: full-face or half-mask air-purifying respirator approved by NIOSH, hooded chemical-resistant clothing, inner and outer gloves and chemical-resistant boots. Level D: coveralls, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles and chemical-resistant boots or shoes with steel toe and shank.

Official source

Federal · OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER)

29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER)

GovInfo publishes 29 CFR 1910.120 free: paragraph (g) sets how protective equipment is selected and Appendix B describes Levels A, B, C and D.

Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by OSHA, NIOSH, EPA or any HAZWOPER training provider. Agency and rule names are named only to describe the content.

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