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Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers plus much more… Many of these are respiratory protective equipment! Now you ask ,: when if you work with them, and more importantly, how can you choose the best equipment to provide you maximum protection?

This is a sound practice self-help guide to assist you to pick the best form of respiratory protection.

When are you looking to use respiratory protection?

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

Respiratory protective gear is utilized:

If there is a threat that a person’s health will likely be altered on account of inhaling air which is polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air on the job;

When intervening to tackle a fireplace or gas leak, along with closed spaces in which the atmosphere can become dangerous as a result of inhalation;

In closed areas by having an insufficient oxygen supply (contaminated areas).

There are several kinds of respiratory protective clothing suited to each situation and particular field. They work by placing physical barrier involving the polluted atmosphere in the workplace and also the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). These units are classed as Personal Protective Equipment, so it is crucial that you make a good option to be sure you are well protected.

Perform an assessment of the workstation

You have to define the physical conditions of use beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity from the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of each one form of pollutant in mid-air

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Dimensions of the particles in the matter of aerosols

Physical exercise of the user

Amount of the project to be accomplished

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There are two broad categories of respiratory protective gear:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

The device supplies breathable air from an outside source. The user is not dependent on the ambient air

Can be used in closed and confined spaces

Only use this type of protection if you have any doubt concerning the excellence of the air, plus all atmospheres by having an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

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

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

To help you determine the kind of respiratory protective clothing most suitable to your desires, we now have provided a decision-making chart using the following questions:

Of what situation will the respiratory protective equipment be used?

Is there a oxygen level over work? Note: a normal oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

What sort of pollutant is involved and just how toxic can it be?

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

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

Minimum required PF = Concentration of contaminant beyond your facepiece / Permissible concentration of contaminant inside facepiece, or OEL.

To make certain sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) and the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) has to be in excess of the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

By way of example: when picking a filtering respirator (gas mask), you’ll want to pick the best suited equipment based on the protection levels shown from the table and choose the proper filter (type and class)

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

Minimum required PF = Power contaminant away from facepiece / Permissible concentration of contaminant inside the facepiece, or OEL.

To ensure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) and the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) have to be greater than the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

As an example: when deciding on self-contained breathing apparatus, you have to choose the best fitting equipment based on the protection levels shown inside the table and pick the correct filter (type and class).

Equipment suitable for the project situation

Once you have determined the appropriate class of respiratory protective clothing, you should be in a position to adapt the equipment on the work situation. You must involve future users in the selection process because they’re the people who are best capable to describe their activity.

The following parameters must be taken into account:

Physical characteristics from the wearer (beard, face scars, etc.) which will determine the dimensions and sort of protection (helmet, hood, facepiece, etc.)

If the person wears contacts or glasses, since there are special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems be more effective fitted to more serious work; powered respirators can be used in the event the flow is sufficient to offset the negative pressure

How long for which the gear will be worn: it is advisable to pick powered filtering respirators if you need to wear them in excess of 60 minutes

Visibility requirements: with respect to the needs, we might recommend panoramic facepieces for improved visibility, single-use visors or hoods which has a replaceable visor offering eye protection in the event of projections

Communication requirements: there are models with phonic membranes and voice amplifiers enabling communication in harsh conditions such as confined spaces

Other personal protective gear and accessories to be utilized: particular sorts of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – they are ideal for welding operations, by way of example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective clothing

Thermal constraints

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