Which statement correctly describes Level B PPE?

Which statement correctly describes Level B PPE?

• A. It provides the lowest protection, equivalent to Level D.
• B. It offers the highest respiratory protection but lesser skin protection.
• C. It includes no respiratory protection.
• D. It requires only gloves.

Answer: (B)

Level B PPE is designed for situations where the hazard is mainly in the air, so the priority is the strongest respiratory protection while still providing splash protection for the skin. It uses a high-grade respirator system—such as a self-contained breathing apparatus or a supplied-air respirator—with chemical-resistant clothing that shields the skin from splashes and contact. However, it does not seal the wearer inside a fully encapsulating suit, so skin protection isn’t as complete as levels that use a totally encapsulating garment. That’s why Level B is described as offering the highest respiratory protection but lesser skin protection. It includes respiratory protection (so it’s not the option with no respiratory protection), it’s not the lowest level of protection (which would be Level D), and it involves more than just gloves.

Level B PPE is designed for situations where the hazard is mainly in the air, so the priority is the strongest respiratory protection while still providing splash protection for the skin. It uses a high-grade respirator system—such as a self-contained breathing apparatus or a supplied-air respirator—with chemical-resistant clothing that shields the skin from splashes and contact. However, it does not seal the wearer inside a fully encapsulating suit, so skin protection isn’t as complete as levels that use a totally encapsulating garment. That’s why Level B is described as offering the highest respiratory protection but lesser skin protection. It includes respiratory protection (so it’s not the option with no respiratory protection), it’s not the lowest level of protection (which would be Level D), and it involves more than just gloves.