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Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers plus much more… All of these are classified as respiratory protective clothing! Absolutely suit: when if you work with them, and even more importantly, how will you choose the best equipment to provide maximum protection?

This is a good practice help guide to assist you to select the right type of respiratory protection.

When should you use respiratory protection?

Before you make the wearing of respiratory protective gear (RPE) mandatory, it is important to 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 not easy to put these measures in place, or maybe these are insufficient, you simply must provide respiratory protective clothing.

Respiratory protective equipment is employed:

If there is a danger which a person’s health is going to be altered as a result of inhaling air that’s polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air on the job;

When intervening to tackle a fireplace or gas leak, as well as in closed spaces in which the atmosphere can become dangerous on account of inhalation;

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

There are several varieties of respiratory protective clothing ideal for each situation and certain field. They work by putting a physical barrier relating to the polluted atmosphere in the office and also the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). They are classed as Personal Protective clothing, so it is imperative that you make the right option to make certain you are thoroughly protected.

Perform an assessment of the workstation

You have to define the stipulations people beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity from the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of each one sort of pollutant in the air

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Proportions of the particles when it comes to aerosols

Physical exercise from the user

Time period of the work to get performed

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There’s 2 broad kinds of respiratory protective equipment:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

The equipment supplies breathable air from an outside source. An individual is not dependent upon the ambient air

Can be used in closed and confined spaces

Always use this type of protection if there is any doubt in regards to the company’s air, plus all atmospheres having an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

The gear filters and purifies the contaminated air. The consumer breathes the ambient air.

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

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

Of what situation will the respiratory protective gear provide?

What is the oxygen level during work? Note: an average oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

Which kind of pollutant is involved and the way toxic could it be?

What is the OEL, or permissible concentration amount of the pollutant?

After choosing 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 = Energy contaminant away from facepiece / Permissible power 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).

By way of example: when choosing a filtering respirator (gas mask), you should select the most suitable equipment in line with the protection levels shown in the table and judge the best filter (type and sophistication)

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 = Concentration of contaminant beyond your facepiece / Permissible power of contaminant in the facepiece, or OEL.

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

For instance: when choosing self-contained breathing apparatus, you have to find the most appropriate equipment based on the protection levels shown within the table and pick the best filter (type and class).

Equipment fitted to the job situation

Once you have determined the correct family of respiratory protective gear, you’ll need to be capable to adapt the equipment towards the work situation. It is very important involve future users from the buying process because they’re those who are best capable to describe their activity.

These parameters should be looked at:

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

Perhaps the person wears contacts or glasses, with there being special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems be more effective worthy of more serious work; powered respirators can be utilized in the event the flow is sufficient to counterbalance the negative pressure

Just how long for which the apparatus will likely be worn: it is best to select powered filtering respirators in order to wear them in excess of One hour

Visibility requirements: based on the needs, organic beef 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: you’ll find models with phonic membranes and voice amplifiers enabling communication in harsh conditions including confined spaces

Other personal protective gear and accessories for use: some kinds 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 gear

Thermal constraints

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