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When would you choose to wear Level A equipment?
When the greatest level of skin and eye protection is required.
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What is the breathing apparatus used for a Level A suit?
Pressure demand, full face piece, SCBA, or pressure demand air line respirator with escape SCBA.
(Approved by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health - NIOSH)
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What kind of suit or body protection do you wear for a Level A suit?
What are the criteria for it?
Vapor-Protective Suit: totally encapsulating chemical protective suit (TECP suit)
- Criteria:
- -must meet requirements in NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
- -covers torso, head, and arms
- -includes boots and gloves
- -completely encloses wearer (in combo with respirator)
- -seems and relief valves should provide chemical resistance protection
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What are the potential disadvantages to a Level A and a Level B suit?
- -potential heat exposure
- -communication
- -visibility reduced
- -mobility reduced (bulky and must be compatible with materials involved for Level A; Level B non-encapsulating is more mobile)
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What level suit would you wear when...
Hazardous material has been identified and requires the highest level protection for skin, eyes, and respiratory system, based on high concentration atmospheric vapors, gases and particulates.
Level A
Hazardous material has been identified and requires the highest level protection for skin, eyes, and respiratory system, based on high concentration atmospheric vapors, gases and particulates.
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What level suit would you wear when...
Work functions involve a high potential for splash, immersion, or exposure to unexpected vapors, gases, or particulates of material that are harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed by skin.
Level A
Work functions involve a high potential for splash, immersion, or exposure to unexpected vapors, gases, or particulates of material that are harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed by skin.
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What level suit would you wear when...
A substance with a high degree of hazard to the skin are known or suspected to be present, and skin contact is possible.
Level A
A substance with a high degree of hazard to the skin are known or suspected to be present, and skin contact is possible.
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What level suit would you wear when...
Operations need to be conducted in confined, poorly ventilated areas, and their is an absence of conditions required to determine suit type.
Level A
Operations need to be conducted in confined, poorly ventilated areas, and their is an absence of conditions required to determine suit type.
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When would you choose to wear Level B equipment?
When the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of skin protection needed.
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What is the breathing apparatus used for a Level B suit?
Pressure demand, full face piece, SCBA, or pressure demand air line respirator with escape SCBA. (Same as A)
(Approved by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health - NIOSH)
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What kind of suit or body protection do you wear for a Level B suit?
What are the criteria for it?
Hooded chemical-resistant clothing that meets the requirements of NFPA 1992, Standard on liquid splash - protective ensembles and clothing for hazardous materials emergencies
(overalls and long sleeved jacket, coveralls, one or two piece chemical splash suit, disposable chemical overalls)
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What level suit would you wear when...
The type and atmospheric concentration of substances have been identified and require a high level of respiratory protection but less skin protection.
Level B
The type and atmospheric concentration of substances have been identified and require a high level of respiratory protection but less skin protection.
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What level suit would you wear when...
Atmosphere contains less than 19.5 percent oxygen.
Level B
High respiratory protection needed.
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What level suit would you wear when...
The presence of incompletely identified vapors or gases is indicated by a direct-reading organic vapor detection instrument, but the vapors and gases are known not to contain high levels of chemicals harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed through the intact skin.
Level B
The presence of incompletely identified vapors or gases is indicated by a direct-reading organic vapor detection instrument, but the vapors and gases are known not to contain high levels of chemicals harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed through the intact skin.
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What level suit would you wear when...
The presence of liquids or particles is indicated, but they are known not to contain high levels of chemicals harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed through the intact skin.
- Level B
- The presence of liquids or particles is indicated, but they are known not to contain high levels of chemicals harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed through the intact skin.
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When would you choose to wear Level C suit?
When concentration(s) and type(s) of Airborne substances are known and the criteria for using air-purifying respirators (APRs) are met (EPA / OSHA criteria).
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What is the breathing apparatus used for a Level C suit?
Full-face or half-mask, air purifying respirators.
(Approved by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health - NIOSH)
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What kind of suit or body protection do you wear for a Level C suit?
Hooded-chemical resistant clothing (overalls, two piece chemical splash suit, disposable chemical resistant overalls)
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What level suit would you wear when...
The atmospheric contaminants, liquid splashes, or other direct contact will not adversely affect or be absorbed by skin.
Level C
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What level suit would you wear when...
Atmospheric concentration of chemicals must not exceed dangerous to life and health (IDLH) levels. The atmosphere also contains at least 19.5 percent oxygen.
Level C
Atmospheric concentration of chemicals must not exceed dangerous to life and health (IDLH) levels. The atmosphere also contains at least 19.5 percent oxygen.
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When would you choose to wear a Level D suit?
When the atmosphere contains no known hazard.
Used for nuisance contamination only and may not be used in any exclusion zone.
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What level suit would you wear when...
Work functions preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential for unexpected inhalation of or contact with hazardous levels of any chemicals.
Level D
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What is the personal protective equipment used for a thermal hazard? Example?
- -Fire entry suits
- -Proximity suits
- -Undergarments
- -Specialized PPE
Example: NOMEX for heat and flame protection, Gulfport Indura Coveralls
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What is the personal protective equipment used for an etiological / biological hazard? Example?
Level C
Example: TYCHEM / TYVEC
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What is the personal protective equipment used for an asphyxiating hazard? Example?
Level A, B (oxygen bellow 19.5%)
Example: air purification devices or by atmosphere supplying respiratory equipment, such as the SCBA
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What is the personal protective equipment used for a mechanical hazard? Example?
Specialized PPE
Example: KEVLAR technology
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What is the personal protective equipment used for a chemical hazard?
Level A, B, C
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What is the personal protective equipment used for a radiological hazard? Example?
- -lead aprons
- -specialized PPE
Example: particulate radioactive contamination TYCHEM / TYVEC
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What is the personal protective equipment used for a psychological hazard?
PPE
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What is the key to respiratory protection?
Level of protective clothing necessary to protect the HazMat technician.
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Positive Pressure Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Who primarily wears it?
What are the benefits?
What is the time limit?
- Primarily worn by:
- -primary type of respirator worn by firefighters
- Benefits:
- -does not restrict mobility
- -provides highest level of respiratory protection
- Time Limit:
- -30 to 60 min for common units (lower if not physically fit)
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Positive Pressure Air Line Respirator (SAR)
What are the benefits?
What are the restrictions?
What must it also be worn with?
- Benefits:
- -lighter than SCBA
- -unlimited air
- Restrictions:
- -300 ft hose
(must also be worn with an emergency egress escape system)
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What dos the escape unit or emergency egress system used for?
Has to be worn with SAR.
Provides emergency air for 5 min of 10 min but can decrease in time based on situation.
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Air Purifying Respirators (APR)
What is it designed for?
What are the benefits?
What determines type of filter used?
- -designed for environment with enough oxygen to sustain life (>19.5%)
- -they should only be used when hazard and concentration is known
- Benefits:
- -increases mobility of user (no backpack)
- Type of filter used depends on:
- -type and concentration contaminants
- -cartridge are product specific
- -greater than 19.5% oxygen
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What items should be considered in the process for selecting proper respiratory equipment?
- -name of chemical
- -concentration
- -hazard
- -expected exposure
- -OSHA requirements
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When considering what respiratory equipment to use, name of chemical is a consideration item. What helps a technician locate the name?
- -SDS
- -ERG
- -CHEMTREC
- -Shipping papers
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When considering what respiratory equipment to use, concentration is a consideration item. What helps a technician identify it?
- -IDLH
- -Oxygen
- -monitoring equipment
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When considering what respiratory equipment to use, hazard is a consideration item. What helps a technician know the hazard?
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What is the minimum level of protection OSHA requires for emergency response?
Positive pressure SCBA (SCBA should be worn until material is identified)
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What are the three things that can happen to the protective suit that reduce it's protective capabilities?
- -degradation
- -permeation
- -penetration
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What is degradation in relation to chemical protective clothing? What are the two types?
Degradation: can be chemical or physical, and increases likelihood of hazardous material penetrates or permeates suit.
Chemical Degradation: weakening of material by exposure to chemicals
Physical Degradation: weakening or destruction of material, caused by rubbing against surfaces or leaning / brushing against sharp objects
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How can you avoid chemical degradation of the suit? Physical degradation?
- Chemical:
- -minimize contact with the chemicals
- -undergoing proper decontamination procedures
- -garments used should correlate with hazardous chemical
- Physical:
- Recognize physical limitations of the garments and make every effort to avoid situations that can damage the material.
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What are 4 indicators of material degradation?
- -stiffness or excess pliability
- -tears, cuts, abrasions
- -damage to zippers or closures
- -soft sticky areas
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What is penetration in relation to chemical protective clothing?
Movement of a chemical through suit's closures, cracks, or tears. This includes movement through zippers, button holes, seams and flaps.
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How can you avoid penetration of the suit?
- -Regular inspection of the clothing
- -Proper storage and maintenance
- -Testing of equipment for penetration resistance in accordance with NFPA 1991 and NFPA 1992 testing criteria
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What is permeation in relation to chemical protective clothing?
Permeation is the process by which a hazardous material moves through a given material at the molecular level, exposing responder to contamination.
- NFPA 1991: 3 hours unpermeated
- NFPA 1992: 1 hour unpermeated
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What is the type and level of protection for fully encapsulating, airtight vapor-protective suit with SCBA?
Type 1 Protection
Level A
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What is the type and level of protection for non-encapsulating suit with SCBA worn on the outside?
Type 2
Level B
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What is the type and level of protection for supplied-air respirator with encapsulating suits?
Type 3
Level B
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What does Splash protective clothing not provide total body protection for?
Vapors and gases
(It also shouldn't be used for protection against liquids that give off vapors)
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Under what conditions should Liquid Chemical Splash clothing be used?
Vapors or gases present not high enough in concentration i.e. can't be absorbed by skin.
User unlikely to be exposed to gases or vapors.
Operations will not be conducted in flammable atmosphere.
Response agencies that wear fire retardant coveralls underneath the CPC.
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In an emergency response, what equipment is often used for initial operations and to protect DECON personnel?
Liquid Chemical Splash Protective Clothing
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to air cooled heat exchange units?
- Advantage:
- Cools the entire body
- Disadvantage:
- Requires an airline and large quantities of breathable air.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to ice cooled heat exchange units?
- Advantage:
- Relatively inexpensive, lightweight, improve worker comfort, decrease lens fogging and are "user friendly"
- Disadvantage:
- The coolent packs add additional bulk and weight to the responder's equipment and require an ice source at the scene.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to water cooled heat exchange units?
- Advantages:
- Most effective method for controlling body core temperatures. This technology can also be used as a warming system in cold conditions.
- Disadvantage:
- Adds both weight and bulk and requires ice supply or refrigeration unit to cool the water or cooling agent and a pump.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to phase change cooling technology heat exchange units?
- Advantages:
- Constant temperature vest that works in harmony with the body. (Works under same concept as refrigerator)
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What are the 4 processes for selecting protective clothing in a HazMat incident?
Use criteria established by EPA and OSHA
Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC) must be compatible with chemical being exposed to
Determine whether breakthrough times of the chosen garment will allow enough time to enter, work in, leave, and decontaminate.
Know manufacturer's recommendation for CPC.
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What are the physiological and psychological stresses that can affect users of PPE?
- Limited dexterity and mobility
- Low visibility
- Communication problems
- Physical stress
- Claustrophobia
- Heat stress
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What is heat stress caused by?
The inability of the body to transfer heat to the atmosphere faster than it is being generated. Increasing body temperature.
PPE not allowing heat to be radiated.
Lack of water and electrolytes.
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What are heat cramps and how do you identify them?
They are cramps in the extremities (arms, legs) or abdomen caused by imbalance of chemicals in the body and resulting in excessive sweating.
- Symptoms:
- -muscle cramps
- -weakness
- -heavy perspiration
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What is heat exhaustion and what are the symptoms?
Caused by dehydration through sweating without adequate fluid replacement.
- Symptoms:
- -excessive sweating-pale, moist skin
- -headache
- -weakness
- -dizziness
- -loss of appetite
- -cramping
- -nausea
- -urge to defecate
- -chills
- -rapid breathing
- -tingling of hands or feet
- -confusion
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What is heatstroke and what are some common symptoms?
It is caused y failure of a body's cooling system.
- Symptoms:
- -hot, dry, red skin
- -weakness
- -dizziness
- -confusion
- -headache
- -seizure
- -nausea
- -stomach pains
- -rapid / weak pulse
- -sudden collapse
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