By clicking sign up, you agree to receive emails from Safeopedia and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. An encapsulated suit level refers to the nature and level of protection that is provided to workers by a hazardous materials suit, also known as a decontamination or hazmat suit.
An encapsulated suit fully encloses encapsulates the worker, leaving zero or very limited avenues for substances to enter the suit and come into contact with the worker. In the United States, hazmat suits are classified according to four levels of protective capability, ranging from Level A highest to Level D lowest. Level A quality suits must be encapsulated, and Level B quality suits are often encapsulated.
The requirements inherent to these suit levels are described in OSHA standards Level C and D suits are not encapsulated. A Level A hazmat suit always consists of a fully encapsulating chemical entry suit with a full face-piece and self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA.
To qualify as Level A, the suit must be vapor-tight. OSHA Level A standards require the presence of several other components in order for an encapsulated suit to be considered Level A compliant. These include an intrinsically safe two-way radio, chemical-resistant gloves and boots—the latter with steel toes and shanks—and specific clothing requirements such as the use of coveralls and long underwear. Level B suits are used when a working environment requires a high level of respiratory protection but a lower level of skin protection than Level A suits.
They are worn when vapor protective clothing is not required. All personal protective equipment shall be part of an overall Employer PPE Program which includes training elements such as storage, maintenance, limitations, fit and disposal. When Level A is used : Level A is utilized when hazardous substances have been identified and have a high level of hazards to the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. The substances present when using this level of protection are usually known or suspected to cause skin toxicity or carcinogenicity.
This ensemble provides the highest available level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection from hazardous substances in a solid, liquid, or gaseous phase.
The only difference between Level A and Level B protection is the type of protective suit. The Level B protection suit provides liquid splash protection but no protection against vapors. Level B provides the same respiratory protection as Level A but less skin or outer body protection. May contribute to heat stress in wearer.
Tape-seal connections between pant cuffs and boots and between gloves and sleeves. Provides additional splash protection of chest, forearms, and legs. Whenever possible, should be used over a nonencapsulating suit to minimize potential heat stress. Useful for sampling, labeling, and analysis operations. Should be used only when there is a low probability of total body contact with contaminants.
Protects against heat, hot water, and some particles. Does not protect against gases and vapors, or chemical permeation or degradation.
Decontamination is difficult. Should not be worn in areas where protection against gases, vapors, chemical splashes or permeation is required. Protects against splashes, dust, gases, and vapors.
Provides some protection against very small detonations. Bomb blankets and baskets can help redirect a blast. Does not provide for hearing protection. Protects against alpha and beta particles. Does not protect against gamma radiation. Designed to prevent skin contamination. If radiation is detected on site, consult an experienced radiation expert and evacuate personnel until the radiation hazard has been evaluated.
Provides protection from flash fires. Adds bulk and may exacerbate heat stress problems and impair mobility. Inspect clothing and respiratory equipment before donning see Paragraph on Inspection. Adjust hard hat or headpiece if worn, to fit user's head.
Open back closure used to change air tank if suit has one before donning suit. Standing or sitting, step into the legs of the suit; ensure proper placement of the feet within the suit; then gather the suit around the waist. Put on chemical-resistant safety boots over the feet of the suit. Tape the leg cuff over the tops of the boots. If additional chemical-resistant safety boots are required, put these on now. Some one-piece suits have heavy-soled protective feet.
With these suits, wear short, chemical resistant safety boots inside the suit. Put on air tank and harness assembly of the SCBA. Don the facepiece and adjust it to be secure, but comfortable.
Do not connect the breathing hose. Open valve on air tank. Perform negative and positive respirator facepiece seal test procedures. To conduct a negative-pressure test, close the inlet part with the palm of the hand or squeeze the breathing tube so it does not pass air, and gently inhale for about 10 seconds.
Any inward rushing of air indicates a poor fit. Note that a leaking facepiece may be drawn tightly to the face to form a good seal, giving a false indication of adequate fit.
To conduct a positive-pressure test, gently exhale while covering the exhalation valve to ensure that a positive pressure can be built up. Failure to build a positive pressure indicates a poor fit. Depending on type of suit: Put on long-sleeved inner gloves similar to surgical gloves. Secure gloves to sleeves, for suits with detachable gloves if not done prior to entering the suit.
Additional overgloves, worn over attached suit gloves, may be donned later. Put sleeves of suit over arms as assistant pulls suit up and over the SCBA. Have assistant adjust suit around SCBA and shoulders to ensure unrestricted motion. Put on hard hat, if needed. Raise hood over head carefully so as not to disrupt face seal of SCBA mask. Adjust hood to give satisfactory comfort. Begin to secure the suit by closing all fasteners on opening until there is only adequate room to connect the breathing hose.
Connect the breathing hose while opening the main valve. Have assistant first ensure that wearer is breathing properly and then make final closure of the suit. Have assistant check all closures.
Have assistant observe the wearer for a period of time to ensure that the wearer is comfortable, psychologically stable, and that the equipment is functioning properly. If sufficient air supply is available to allow appropriate decontamination before removal: Remove any extraneous or disposable clothing, boot covers, outer gloves, and tape.
Have assistant loosen and remove the wearer's safety shoes or boots. Have assistant open the suit completely and lift the hood over the head of the wearer and rest it on top of the SCBA tank. Remove arms, one at a time, from suit. Once arms are free, have assistant lift the suit up and away from the SCBA backpack--avoiding any contact between the outside surface of the suit and the wearer's body--and lay the suit out flat behind the wearer.
Leave internal gloves on, if any. Sitting, if possible, remove both legs from the suit. Follow procedure for doffing SCBA. After suit is removed, remove internal gloves by rolling them off the hand, inside out.
Remove internal clothing and thoroughly cleanse the body. If the low-pressure warning alarm has sounded, signifying that approximately 5 minutes of air remain: Remove disposable clothing. Open the zipper enough to allow access to the regulator and breathing hose. Immediately attach an appropriate canister to the breathing hose the type and fittings should be predetermined.
Although this provides some protection against any contamination still present, it voids the certification of the unit. Follow Steps 1 through 8 of the regular doffing procedure above.
Take extra care to avoid contaminating the assistant and the wearer. Determine that the clothing material is correct for the specified task at hand. Imperfect seams; Nonuniform coatings; Tears; and Malfunctioning closures. Observe for cracks. Observe for other signs or shelf deterioration. If the product has been used previously, inspect inside and out for signs of chemical attack:. Discoloration Swelling Stiffness.
During the work task, periodically inspect for:. Evidence of chemical attack such as discoloration, swelling, stiffening and softening. Keep in mind, however, that chemical permeation can occur without any visible effects. Closure failure Tears Punctures Seam discontinuities. Pressurize glove to check for pinholes. Either blow into glove, then roll gauntlet towards fingers or inflate glove and hold under water.
In either case, no air should escape. Check the operation of pressure relief valves Inspect the fitting of wrists, ankles, and neck Check faceshield, if so equipped, for: cracks crazing fogginess.
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