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Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers plus more… Most of these are called respiratory protective equipment! Absolutely suit: when should you use them, and above all, how will you pick the best equipment to offer maximum protection?

Here’s a sound practice guide to enable you to select the best sort of respiratory protection.

When must you use respiratory protection?

Before making the wearing of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) mandatory, it is very important implement other prevention solutions for example finding substitutes for hazardous substances or installing air purification techniques (closing off processes, trapping pollutants, ventilating the premises, etc.). If it’s not possible to put these measures set up, or if perhaps they’re insufficient, you simply must provide respiratory protective equipment.

Respiratory protective equipment is employed:

If you find a risk that a person’s health will be altered because of inhaling air that’s polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air at work;

When intervening to tackle a fire or gas leak, as well as in closed spaces where the atmosphere may become dangerous due to inhalation;

In closed areas with the insufficient oxygen supply (contaminated areas).

There are numerous kinds of respiratory protective gear ideal for each situation and particular field. They work by putting a physical barrier relating to the polluted atmosphere on the job and the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). They are classed as Personal Protective Equipment, therefore it is crucial that you make the right replacement for ensure you are properly protected.

Execute an evaluation with the workstation

You should define the conditions useful beforehand:

Oxygen level

Type of pollutants (gas, vapours, dust, etc.)

Toxicity with the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of every sort of pollutant via a flight

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Proportions of the particles when it comes to aerosols

Exercising from the user

Amount of the task being completed

Related risks (projection of fluids, fire, etc.)

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There’s 2 broad categories of respiratory protective gear:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

The device supplies breathable air from a source. The person is just not dependent upon the ambient air

May be used in closed and confined spaces

Only use this sort of protection if there is any doubt concerning the company’s air, and in all atmospheres with an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

The device filters and purifies the contaminated air. The person breathes the ambient air.

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

That will help you determine the type of respiratory protective equipment suitable to your desires, we have provided a decision-making chart depending on the following questions:

Of what situation will the respiratory protective equipment supply?

What’s the oxygen level during the period of work? Note: an ordinary oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

What sort of pollutant is involved and exactly how toxic could it be?

Exactly what is the OEL, or permissible concentration level of the pollutant?

After selecting the equipment family (filtering or powered respirator, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices or self-rescuers), you should determine the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

Minimum required PF = Power of contaminant outside the facepiece / Permissible concentration of contaminant within the facepiece, or OEL.

To make sure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) as well as the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) have to be higher than the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

For example: when selecting a filtering respirator (gas mask), you need to pick the most appropriate equipment in line with the protection levels shown from the table and judge the best filter (type and sophistication)

After deciding on the equipment family (filtering or powered respirator, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices or self-rescuers), you need to determine the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

Minimum required PF = Power contaminant beyond your facepiece / Permissible power contaminant within the facepiece, or OEL.

To be sure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) and also the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) must be in excess of the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

As an example: when selecting self-contained breathing apparatus, you have to pick the most appropriate equipment based on the protection levels shown within the table and judge the best filter (type and sophistication).

Equipment worthy of the job situation

Once you’ve determined the right category of respiratory protective clothing, you’ll need to be able to adapt the equipment towards the work situation. It is important to involve future users within the shopping process because they’re the people who are best in a position to describe their activity.

The next parameters should be considered:

Physical characteristics from the wearer (beard, face scars, etc.) that may determine the size and style and type of protection (helmet, hood, facepiece, etc.)

Whether or not the person wears contacts or glasses, because there are special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems be more effective suited to more serious work; powered respirators can be utilized when the flow is sufficient cancel out the negative pressure

The amount of time in which the gear will probably be worn: it is advisable to choose powered filtering respirators in order to use them for more than 60 minutes

Visibility requirements: depending on the needs, natural meats recommend panoramic facepieces for improved visibility, single-use visors or hoods using a replaceable visor offering eye protection in the case of projections

Communication requirements: you can find models with phonic membranes and voice amplifiers enabling communication in harsh conditions like confined spaces

Other personal protective equipment and accessories to be used: some types of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – they may be ideal for welding operations, for instance.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective equipment

Thermal constraints

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