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A Hazmat suit, short for hazardous material suit, is a whole body garment designed to protect the wearer against dangerous materials or substances. The United States Department of Homeland Security defines a Hazmat suit as “an overall garment worn to protect people from hazardous materials or substances, including chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials.”

A Hazmat suit is a form of personal protective equipment (PPE), which is often used by firefighters, emergency medical crews, paramedics, researchers, personnel responding to toxic spills, specialists cleaning up contaminated facilities and workers in toxic environments.

Hazmat suits provide protection from chemical agents, nuclear agents, biological agents and fire/high temperatures. Suits vary dependant on the task and the level of risk. Suits are often gas tight to ensure the user will not come into direct contact with or inhale dangerous substances. They can offer the ability to be in high temperatures due to the materials they are made out of and have different ways of supplying air to the wearer to ensure they are breathing fresh, uncontaminated air. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) can be enclosed within the suit or attached to the suit depending on the make.

Hazmat suits are rated by level or type – which directly relates to the protection the offer. In the USA the levels range from A-D and across Europe from 1-6. More information about these protection levels is available in the ‘Hazmat suits in detail’ section of this guide.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations requires PPE to be supplied.

The Regulations also require that PPE is:

The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) has reported that the HSE has received a number of queries concerning the purchase and use of Type 5 coveralls. It has issued a statement as a reminder of existing guidance and advice.

Understanding your task, level of risk and environment is crucial to selecting the correct Hazmat suit. Key things to consider are:

In Europe suits are classed by type number 1 -6:

In the United States suits are classed by levels A – D:

Other options when choosing suits:

Think about what else the user will be wearing with the suit, what they may be carrying and if the specific task requires a specific material of suit or if there are any other further requirements. For example, consider:

Different Hazmat suits have different ways of donning and doffing, or taking them on and off. Due to the high risk hazard of the works often surrounding Hazmat suits procedures must be adhered to. It is essential to understand these procedures and check that workers are given the correct information, instruction and training before they put on and take off Hazmat suits.

Good quality products will have clear instruction on safe and correct donning and doffing.

A lot of Hazmat suits will require an additional person to help the wearer get dressed and undressed (including cleaning and decontamination). If you have limited team members consider this when buying Hazmat suits and chemical protection PPE.

When purchasing Hazmat suits and any coveralls is vital that you understand the exact cleaning, disinfecting and maintenance procedures that are associated with that product – as processes vary vastly. Hazmat suits will often be sold with a life span, so it is important to make note of this when they are bought.

It is also vital to maintain shoes that are worn with Hazmat suits. Discolouring, swelling, breaks, cracks, holes, or other surface degradations such as tears should be observed.

When soles become worn traction may be reduced. Slips and trips in high hazard areas can be serious so shoes must be maintained.

When buying Hazmat suits for your workers, check:

Because Hazmat suits and chemical protective clothing are used within a range of industries there are many international and industry standards to conform to.

International standards, certification and CE marking:

When buying Hazmat suits in Europe, EN certification is required, while in the United States and Canada, NFPA is the primary certification standard for protective suits and equipment.  In Hazmat suits EN 943 and NFPA 1991 are the main international certifications.

EN 943 standard covers protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid aerosols and solid particles with a specific section EN 943-2 dealing with chemical protective suits for emergency responders and firefighters.

The highest level of certification available in North America, NFPA 1991 specifies the minimum design, manufacture, and performance requirements for vapour-protective ensembles and individual elements for chemical vapour protection.  NFPA 1991 certification sets standards for chemical permeation, vapour tightness, flame resistance and material durability.  In addition, NFPA 1991 includes optional criteria for chemical flash fire escape and liquefied gas protection.

After 30 June 1995, all PPE placed on the market in EU Member States was required to comply with the requirements of Directive 89/686/EEC and carry the CE Marking.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime safety treaty. It ensures that ships flagged by signatory States comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation. The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.

Before buying a Hazmat suit you should find out if there are any standards that affect your industry.

Below is a summary of the key points for consideration when buying a Hazmat suit:

The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) has reported that the HSE has received a number of queries concerning the purchase and use of Type 5 coveralls. It has issued a statement as a reminder of existing guidance and advice.

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I miss a mention of the need to ensure you have a suitable health surveillance system in place. If you consult the Approved Code of Practice for COSHH, 6th edition, you will see that where reliance is placed on PPE, even just chemical protective gloves, health surveillance is required (Paras 237 and 238 in particular).

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