Know how to put on, adjust, wear, and take 

off PPE;

 Maintain, inspect, and clean PPE per 

manufacturer recommendations; and

 Store PPE properly to prevent damage. 

Know the Four Levels of PPE

Emergency response-type PPE is classified into 

four levels, ranging from the most protective 

(Level A) to the least protective (Level D). Workers 

must be trained on the conditions that require 

PPE and the procedures to prevent and reduce 

exposure, including decontamination and proper 

disposal procedures.

LEVEL A*

Highest level of 

respiratory, skin, and eye 

protection.

LEVEL B*

Highest level of respiratory 

protection with a lower 

level of skin protection.

LEVEL C*

Same level of skin protection 

as Level B, with a lower level 

of respiratory protection.

LEVEL D

No respiratory protection 

and only minimal skin 

protection.

* Level requires respirators that are approved by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

For more information, visit osha.gov/

emergency-preparedness/ppe or call OSHA at 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

When an emergency event occurs or a disaster 

strikes, first responders and recovery workers are 

often the first ones to arrive on-site. First responders 

may need personal protective equipment (PPE) to 

keep them safe during natural disasters, biological 

hazards, accidental releases, and terrorism events. 

PPE can be used to minimize worker exposure to 

hazards, but they are the last line of defense after 

engineering controls and administrative controls.

Engineering controls involve physically 

changing a machine or work environment such 

as installing enclosures for noisy equipment. 

Administrative controls involve changing how or 

when workers do their jobs, such as scheduling 

work and rotating workers to reduce exposures.

This pamphlet is intended to remind employees 

and employers of the importance of PPE, but it 

should not be used as a sole source of worker 

protection guidance for emergency response 

and recovery activities. For more information see 

osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/ppe.

Role of PPE

The use of PPE is effective at protecting workers 

from safety and health hazards including physical 

and adverse health effects. 

Employers must ensure that workers are provided 

the appropriate PPE, when necessary, at no cost 

and that they are properly trained on how to use it.

Important Steps for Employers

Develop a disaster-specific health and safety plan 

that includes the following:  Conduct a hazard assessment to determine 

what safety and health hazards workers may 

encounter and reassess if conditions change;

 List worker responsibilities;  Follow and implement the hierarchy of 

controls—including engineering and 

administrative controls where feasible;

 Determine what PPE workers need. During 

the initial response, when all hazards may not 

immediately be known, carefully consider the 

use of the highest level of PPE available; 

 Train each worker required to use PPE in a 

language they can understand;

 Provide medical exams and/or fit testing, as 

required by OSHA standards (1910.120 and 

Subpart I); 

 Regularly review and update PPE needs as job 

tasks and hazards change; and

 Provide instructions for reporting work-related 

injuries or illnesses.

Worker Safety Practices  Use PPE according to the manufacturer’s 

instructions;

 Know what kind of protective equipment 

is necessary;

 Understand the limitations of PPE;

Photo: U.S. Air Force

OSHA 4117-05 2021

PPE for Emergency 

Response and 

Recovery Workers