OSHA 1910.120 Appendix B, Levels of Protection A, B, C and D: what it requires and the equipment it names
Appendix B to 29 CFR 1910.120 is where "Level A, B, C and D PPE" comes from: the four protective ensembles for hazardous waste operations and emergency response, listing the respirator, chemical-protective suit, gloves, boots and hard hat that make up each level, and the conditions each level is for. The mandatory PPE program is in paragraph (g) of the rule. We sell nationwide; ships in 1–2 business days; most orders arrive in 3–7 business days.
The plain answer
Appendix B to 29 CFR 1910.120 describes the four levels of protection employers use to meet the PPE requirements of the HAZWOPER standard: Level A, the highest skin, respiratory and eye protection (a totally encapsulating chemical-protective suit with a positive-pressure SCBA or supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA); Level B, the highest respiratory protection with less skin protection (hooded chemical-resistant clothing with SCBA or supplied air); Level C, air-purifying respirators where the contaminant and concentration are known and meet the criteria for their use, with hooded chemical-resistant clothing; and Level D, a work uniform for nuisance contamination only.
The appendix is guidance for selecting PPE under paragraph (g)(3), which requires PPE selected on the site hazards and routes of exposure, and (g)(5), the written PPE program. It applies to hazardous waste cleanup, treatment, storage and disposal facilities, and emergency response to hazardous substance releases. The rule itself, not the appendix, is mandatory.
The equipment it names, level by level: NIOSH-approved SCBA or supplied-air respirators with escape SCBA, full-face or half-mask air-purifying respirators, totally encapsulating suits, hooded chemical-resistant overalls and splash suits, disposable chemical-resistant coveralls, inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant steel-toe and shank boots and disposable boot covers, hard hats, face shields, safety glasses or splash goggles, and escape masks.
What the rule says
Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.
29 CFR 1910.120(g)(3): PPE is selected and used to protect employees from the hazards and potential hazards they are likely to encounter as identified during the site characterization and analysis; it is selected on the basis of the site hazards and routes of exposure; totally encapsulating chemical protective suits (Level A) are used where skin absorption of a hazardous substance may cause death, serious illness or injury; positive-pressure SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirators with escape SCBA are used when chemical exposure levels create a substantial possibility of immediate death, immediate serious illness or injury, or impair the ability to escape; the level of protection is increased when additional information or site conditions show it is necessary.
29 CFR 1910.120(g)(5): A written PPE program as part of the site safety and health program covers site hazards, PPE selection, use and limitations, work mission duration, maintenance and storage, decontamination and disposal, training and fitting, donning and doffing, inspection, in-use monitoring, and evaluation of the program's effectiveness.
29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B, Part A, Level A: Positive-pressure full-facepiece SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA (NIOSH approved); totally encapsulating chemical-protective suit; coveralls and long underwear as applicable; outer and inner chemical-resistant gloves; chemical-resistant boots with steel toe and shank; hard hat under the suit; disposable protective suit, gloves and boots worn over the encapsulating suit depending on its construction.
29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B, Part A, Level B: Positive-pressure full-facepiece SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA; hooded chemical-resistant clothing (overalls and long-sleeved jacket, coveralls, one or two-piece chemical splash suit, or disposable chemical-resistant overalls); coveralls; outer and inner chemical-resistant gloves; outer chemical-resistant steel toe and shank boots; disposable chemical-resistant outer boot covers; hard hat; face shield as applicable.
29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B, Part A, Level C: Full-face or half-mask air-purifying respirators (NIOSH approved); hooded chemical-resistant clothing (overalls, two-piece chemical splash suit, disposable chemical-resistant overalls); coveralls; outer and inner chemical-resistant gloves; outer chemical-resistant steel toe and shank boots; disposable outer boot covers; hard hat; escape mask; face shield, as applicable.
29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B, Part A, Level D: A work uniform affording minimal protection for nuisance contamination only: coveralls; gloves; chemical-resistant steel toe and shank boots or shoes; disposable outer boots; safety glasses or chemical splash goggles; hard hat; escape mask; face shield, as applicable.
29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B, Part B: When each level applies: Level A when the substance requires the highest skin, eye and respiratory protection, or the atmosphere is IDLH to the skin, or operations are in confined, poorly ventilated areas until a lower level is shown adequate; Level B when the type and concentration of substance have been identified and require the highest respiratory protection but less skin protection, or the atmosphere has less than 19.5 percent oxygen, or vapors are present but not expected to harm skin; Level C when the contaminant will not adversely affect exposed skin, the contaminants are known and measured and an air-purifying respirator is available to remove them, and all criteria for air-purifying respirators are met; Level D when the atmosphere contains no known hazard and work functions preclude splashes, immersion or inhalation of hazardous chemicals.
Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
California (Cal/OSHA)
Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.
Title 8 §5192: California's hazardous waste operations and emergency response section carries the same PPE paragraph and the same Appendix B levels A through D.
Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 8, as published by Cal/OSHA (dir.ca.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
Equipment the rule names
| Equipment or condition | What the rule requires | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Level A respirator | Positive-pressure full-facepiece SCBA, or supplied-air with escape SCBA, NIOSH approved | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level A suit | Totally encapsulating chemical-protective suit; hard hat beneath | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level B respirator | Positive-pressure full-facepiece SCBA or supplied-air with escape SCBA | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level B clothing | Hooded chemical-resistant overalls, splash suit or disposable chemical-resistant coveralls | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level C respirator | Full-face or half-mask air-purifying respirator with the cartridge for the known contaminant | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level C clothing | Hooded chemical-resistant clothing or disposable chemical-resistant coveralls | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Gloves, all levels A to C | Outer and inner chemical-resistant gloves | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Boots, all levels | Chemical-resistant with steel toe and shank; disposable outer boot covers | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
| Level D | Coveralls, gloves, safety glasses or splash goggles, hard hat, escape mask as applicable | 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix B |
Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.
What we carry for it
Each table lists products whose manufacturer data states the rating or the standard the rule names, every brand we carry that does, with the current price. Sizes and versions are chosen on the product page. The selector linked under each table holds every item of that type.
Chemical-resistant and disposable coveralls (Levels B and C clothing)
More: every coverall by material and protection.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Full facepiece and half mask air-purifying respirators (Level C)
More: every facepiece by size and brand.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Supplied-air respirators and PAPR (Levels A and B breathing systems)
More: every supplied-air and PAPR system.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Chemical-resistant gloves (inner and outer)
More: every chemical glove by material.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Disposable gloves for the inner layer
More: every disposable glove.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Chemical-resistant boots and boot covers
More: every boot and boot cover.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Escape respirators
More: every escape respirator.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Splash goggles and face shields
| Part number | Item | Rating stated | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 7000052836 | 3M 334 Safety Goggles, Splash Goggles, One Size | ANSI Z87.1+ | $40.26 | |
 | 7100168468 | 3M 500 GoggleGear Safety Goggles, Gray Scotchgard Anti-Fog | ANSI Z87.1 | $22.47 | |
 | BCAG-SS | Ansell BCAG-SS Safety Goggles, BioClean Clearview Autoclavable Goggles | $1,853.26 | ||
 | WGFF50MM | Best Welds WGFF50MM Safety Goggles, Vinyl Goggles, Fixed Front Flex | $10.40 | ||
 | 248-4400-300 | Bouton Optical 440 Basic 248-4400-300 Safety Goggles, ANSI Z87.1, Direct Vent | ANSI Z87.1; EN 166; EN 170; EN 172 | $2.09 | |
 | 248-4401-300 | Bouton Optical 441 Basic 248-4401-300 Safety Goggles, ANSI Z87.1, Indirect Vent | ANSI Z87.1 | $368.00 | |
 | AG01CLHS | UVEX Avatar Plus AG01CLHS Safety Goggles, ANSI Z87.1+, Indirect Vent, Clear Lens | ANSI Z87.1+; CSA Z94.3; EN 166 | $213.00 | |
 | S350 | UVEX Classic S350 Safety Goggles, ANSI Z87.1, Indirect Vent, Clear Lens | ANSI Z87.1 | $123.00 |
More: every goggle by mark.
Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.
Guides that go further
Disposable coveralls for asbestos and lead · Mold remediation PPE · Grade D breathing air · Pesticide application PPE and the Worker Protection Standard · Disposable coveralls, with the garment data.
OSHA 1910.120 Appendix B, Levels of Protection A, B, C and D questions
What is level B PPE used for? Appendix B, Part B: when the type and concentration of the substance have been identified and require the highest level of respiratory protection but a lesser level of skin protection, when the atmosphere contains less than 19.5 percent oxygen, or when vapors or gases are present that are not suspected of harming skin or being absorbed through it. The ensemble is SCBA or supplied air with hooded chemical-resistant clothing rather than an encapsulating suit.
What is level D PPE? A work uniform affording minimal protection, used for nuisance contamination only: coveralls, gloves, chemical-resistant steel toe and shank boots or shoes, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles, and a hard hat, face shield and escape mask as applicable (Appendix B, Part A, IV). Part B says it is for atmospheres with no known hazard and work that precludes splashes, immersion or inhalation.
What is a level A hazmat suit? The totally encapsulating chemical-protective suit of Level A, worn over a positive-pressure SCBA or supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA, with inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves, steel toe and shank chemical boots and a hard hat inside, when the substance requires the highest skin, eye and respiratory protection or the atmosphere is IDLH to the skin (Appendix B, Parts A and B, Level A).
What is the difference between Level C and Level B? The respirator. Level B uses a positive-pressure SCBA or supplied-air respirator because the respiratory hazard is the highest; Level C uses a full-face or half-mask air-purifying respirator, which Part B allows only when the contaminants are known and measured, an air-purifying cartridge is available to remove them, and all the criteria for air-purifying respirators in 1910.134 are met. Both use hooded chemical-resistant clothing with inner and outer gloves.
Are the PPE levels mandatory? Appendix B is non-mandatory guidance, as its heading says; what is mandatory is 1910.120(g)(3), which requires PPE selected on the site hazards and routes of exposure, encapsulating suits where skin absorption could cause death or serious injury, and positive-pressure SCBA or supplied air where exposure could cause immediate death or impair escape, plus the written PPE program in (g)(5).
Do disposable coveralls count as chemical-resistant clothing? Appendix B lists "disposable chemical-resistant overalls" under Level B and Level C and "disposable protective suit" over a Level A suit, so yes when the manufacturer's permeation and penetration data cover the chemical; it also notes that protective materials protect well against some substances and poorly against others, and that breakthrough time should exceed the work duration.
The ratings, test results and standards shown here are the manufacturers' published values, reproduced as published. Nothing on this page is a recommendation by Bayshore Safety that any product is suitable for a particular task, hazard or workplace. Selecting safety products and protective equipment is the responsibility of the end user and the employer, based on their own hazard assessment and the regulations that apply to their work. Confirm every value on the manufacturer's own documentation before use.