Which authorizing agency classifies PPE as Level A, B, C, or D?

The correct answer is the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The EPA is responsible for setting standards and regulations for environmental protection and public health, which includes establishing guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used during hazardous materials incidents. The classification of PPE into Levels A, B, C, and D is a systematic way to delineate the types of protection required based on the nature of the hazard.

Level A represents the highest level of protection, typically required when dealing with hazardous materials that pose a high risk of exposure, including gases or vapors that are toxic or corrosive. Level B provides a lesser degree of protection and is used when the material poses a risk of splashes, but respiratory protection is still needed. Level C is suitable for situations where the risk is known, and a lower level of protection is adequate, while Level D offers minimal protection and is generally used in areas where there is no known hazard.

The other choices, while important regulatory bodies or organizations in the realm of workplace safety and health, do not specifically establish the classification system for PPE as employed in hazardous materials operations. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) focuses on occupational safety and health regulations but does not classify PPE in the same structured manner as the EPA. NIOS