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i r PPE for such situations may be more complicated.The pressure supplied-air respirator with escape-SCBA;inner selected PPE needs to protect not only against each indi- and outer chemical-resistant gloves;face shields;hooded vidual hazard,but if synergistic effects exist,also against chemical-resistant clothing,cove><`alls,and outer chemical- the combination of those simultaneous hazards. resistant boots. Level C protection is appropriate where the concentration Levels of protection and type of airborne substances are known and the criteria The components of PPE may be assembled into a for using air-purifying respirators are met.Typical Level C protective ensemble that not only protects the worker from equipment includes full-facepiece'air-purifying respirators, site-specific hazards but also minimizes the hazards and inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves,hard hats,escape drawbacks of the PPE ensemble itself.The U.S.Environ- masks,and disposable chemical-r sistant outer boots. mental Protection Agency(EPA)has defined four levels of Level D protection may be suif'icient when no contami- protection(A,B,C,and D)that are distinguished by: nants are present or work•operatiotts preclude splashes, -whether respiratory protection is required and if so the immersion,or the potential for unexpected inhalation or type of respirator(air purifying vs, atmosphere supplying) contact with hazardous chemicals.,Level D protective equip- -the consequences of skin exposure(the extent of the ment may include gloves,coveralls,safety glasses,face body exposed and the severity of such exposure). shields,and chemical-resistant steel-toe boots or shoes. Level A protection is required where there is the great- Figures 4 and 5 illustrate these levels of protection, est potential for exposure to hazards and the highest level of Note that these levels do not dictiite the specific ensemble skin,respiratory,and eye protection is needed. Level A PPE components.The components must be specified based on a includes respiratory protection with a positive-pressure,full- site-specific risk assessment. j facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus(SCBA),or a Typically,the EPA levels of p4otection are used as a positive-pressure supplied-air respirator with escape-SCBA; starting point to create a CPC ensemble.Each ensemble a totally encapsulated chemical-and-vapor-protective suit; is then tailored to a specific situat on in order to provide inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves;and disposable the appropriate level of protection.As more information protective suits,gloves,and.boots. about the specific operation or site becomes available,the Level B protection includes the highest level of respira- overall level of protection and CPC selected are validated to tory protection but a lower level of skin protection.For ensure that proper and effective si lections were made.The example,at most abandoned outdoor hazardous-waste required level of protection may t ien need to be upgraded sites,ambient atmospheric vapor or gas levels are not high or downgraded based on the new nformation.For example, enough to warrant Level A protection,and Level B is often CPC requirements might need to a upgraded if additional adequate.Level B includes:respiratory protection with hazards are identified or suspecte( ,if a task is changed in a positive-pressure,full-facepiece SCBA,or a positive- a way that increases an employees exposure or potential exposure to hazardous materials,or at the request of an individual wearing the equipment Reasons to downgrade � e ,t ♦ Figure 4.Levels A(left)and B(right)represent the highest levels of ♦ Figure 5.Level C PPE consists of a fullbody chemical-protective suit protection.Images courtesy of Ansell Protective Solutions. and a powered air-purifying respirator.Image courtesy of Field Safety Corp. COP September 013 www.aiche.org/cep 31