HAZMAT Suit Levels: How Many Are There?

If your job involves exposure to hazardous or toxic substances, you must have the right protection to combat the side effects. These hazardous materials are called HAZMAT in the United States, and there are multiple regulations for handling, transporting, and disposing of them while ensuring everyone’s safety.  To give you an idea of just how common this is, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that more than 3 billion tons of hazardous materials are transported across the country annually, highlighting the importance of proper safety gear.

Most workplaces introduce the HAZMAT suit for workers to manage these substances. It is a garment worn to protect people from hazardous materials or substances, such as biological agents, chemicals, or radioactive materials. Now, let’s discuss the various HAZMAT suit levels based on the protections they provide in detail. 

Read More: Which Industries Require Hazmat Certification?

What Are the Common HAZMAT Suit Levels?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines four levels of suit protection. Level A is said to be the most protective, and Level D is the least protective. The regulations related to HAZMAT suit levels can be found under §1910.120 Appendix B.

Here is an overview of the four levels that workers can leverage in their respective workplaces: 

Level A 

The level A HAZMAT suit provides you with the highest protection level. It is specifically designed to safeguard you against highly toxic or dangerous substances. The most common materials are those that may be radioactive or biological and cause infectious diseases. 

In these cases, the hazardous material usually poses a threat to your respiratory system, eyes, and skin. You must wear the following protective components that fall under Level A requirements to protect yourself from these toxic substances: 

• Fully Encapsulated Chemical Protective Suit

• Positive Pressure Demand Full-Face Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

• Inner and Outer Chemical Resistant Gloves

• Chemical Resistant Safety Boots

Workers who handle highly dangerous chemicals need a Level A HAZMAT suit. These suits also include a self-contained oxygen supply. 

What Conditions Require Level A HAZMAT Protection?

If someone comes into contact with a corrosive substance and the suit isn’t strong enough, it could break through the material and cause serious chemical burns. 

Level A HAZMAT suits are used when there's the highest risk of exposure. It offers the most complete protection against both liquids and gases.

Read More: What are the Best Practices for Effective Hazmat Training

Level B 

Level B suits offer a high level of protection, especially when working around liquid chemicals. The key difference from Level A is that the Level B HAZMAT suit is not fully gas-tight. This means there’s a slight chance that gases or vapors could enter the suit. However, if the air contains non-toxic and non-corrosive substances, it doesn’t pose a serious health risk.

These HAZMAT suits are designed to protect you from chemical splashes and spills while still allowing for safe breathing with a proper respirator. They are often used when there’s a risk of liquid exposure, but the air isn’t immediately dangerous. The protective garments required for this level are 

• Hooded Chemical Protective Clothing

• Full- or Half-Mask Air-Purifying Respirator

• Inner and Outer Chemical Resistant Gloves

• Safety Boots

Level B HAZMAT suits are commonly used in industries such as chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceutical production, industrial cleaning, and environmental cleanup operations.

What Conditions Require Level B HAZMAT Protection?

Level B suits are used when there is a risk of chemical splashes or exposure to hazardous vapours, but the skin protection level required is not as high as with Level A suits. Level B protection includes a high level of respiratory protection with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 

Level C

The Level C HAZMAT suit is useful if you have detected an airborne contaminant, but your working conditions present little or no threat to your eyes or skin. This level of protection is used when the concentration of hazardous substances is low, and air-purifying respirators can effectively filter out contaminants. The protective gear required for a level C HAZMAT suit includes:

• Hooded Chemical Protective Clothing

• Full- or Half-Mask Air-Purifying Respirator

• Inner and Outer Chemical Resistant Gloves

• Chemical Resistant Safety Boots

Unlike level A and level B suits, level C does not offer protection against direct exposure to high concentrations of toxic gases or vapors. 

What Conditions Require Level C HAZMAT Protection?

Level C protection is primarily used in environments where respiratory protection is needed, but there is no risk of skin absorption or chemical splash hazards. Level C HAZMAT suits are commonly used in industrial settings, environmental cleanups, and situations where the air quality is not much worse in the surroundings. 

Read More: HAZMAT Certification Process: A Step by Step Guide

Level D

Level D is the lowest level of HAZMAT suits that does not require any protection of your eyes, lungs, or skin. This also means that the suit can be used in situations where hazardous materials do not pose much of a risk to the workers or surroundings. While other levels of HAZMAT suits require head-to-toe protection, level D does not require that an individual be covered completely while working. 

A construction site is a perfect example of a situation where HAZMAT level D is needed for further protection. On that note, the personal protective equipment (PPE) required at this level includes:

• Coveralls

• Safety Boots

• Safety Goggles or Glasses

What Conditions Require Level D HAZMAT Protection?

Level D HAZMAT suits provide minimal protection, but they are still needed for maintaining workplace safety in low-risk environments. These suits are unlike the Fallout 4 HAZMAT suit, which is designed for extreme radiation exposure in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Read More: What Are OSHA Handrail Requirements?

Which Industries Use HAZMAT Suits?

Hazardous materials can be present across several job sites, which means that workers from various industries require HAZMAT suits of varying levels. The global HAZMAT suits market size is already projected to reach $11,606.3 million in 2030, implying its rising importance across industries and sectors. 

On that note, here are some common industries where workers take complete advantage of HAZMAT suits to protect themselves from hazardous substances: 

Construction Workers

Several construction materials are corrosive or toxic, meaning workers can be easily exposed to projectiles, such as falling debris. Construction sites often create higher levels of dust and particulate matter, which are harmful when inhaled by those working in these spaces. That is why most construction companies recommend that their workers wear HAZMAT suits while working. 

Healthcare Workers

Medical staff are also exposed to infectious diseases or other pathogens in several cases. While standard PPE, such as scrubs, is sufficient for protection, some workers may require an additional HAZMAT suit to protect themselves against biological or airborne substances. For example, you can wear a HAZMAT suit when working around highly infectious diseases or bloodborne pathogens like HIV.

Firefighters

Smoke and other toxic chemicals are released during a fire and can be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Firefighters are always active in these areas, so they must protect their eyes, lungs, and skin while working to prevent dangerous health issues.

Crime Scene Investigators

Many are unaware that even crime scenes may have potentially hazardous materials like blood or bloodborne pathogens. Hence, the investigators present on the scene must maintain the integrity of the environment. They may often use HAZMAT suits of different levels to ensure that they do not contaminate evidence.

Chemical Plant Workers

Chemical plant workers are required to avoid skin and fume exposure when working around highly toxic chemicals. In most cases, they will use the Level D HAZMAT suits unless the substances used are gaseous. Gaseous or vapor-based substances, on the other hand, require Level A protection in chemical industries. 

Toxic Waste Cleanup

These workers often go into a particular area to contain and dispose of hazardous materials whenever there is a chemical spill. In some cases, highly toxic substances may need Level A protection, especially if they are airborne. Working in blackwater environments, such as sewage, also requires HAZMAT protection for workers against biological substances.

Read More: What is HAZMAT Certification

Learn More About HAZMAT Suits with the Right Certification!

HAZMAT suits are the best way to work in hazardous environments. But wearing the suit is just one part of the safety process; you also need proper training to know which HAZMAT suit level fits your job and industry. OSHA already mandates the requirement of different types of training, depending on the toxic substance and the tasks that you perform as a worker.  So, choose a reputable HAZWOPER training if you want to learn more about the HAZMAT suits and their usage across industries and sectors.

References

• https://www.osha.com/blog/hazmat-suit-levels

• https://int-enviroguard.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-hazmat-suits-and-ppe/

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/hazmat-suit-levels