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

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

When are you looking to use respiratory protection?

Before you make the wearing of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) mandatory, it is essential to implement other prevention solutions including finding substitutes for hazardous substances or installing air purification techniques (closing off processes, trapping pollutants, ventilating the premises, etc.). When not easy to put these measures available, or maybe they are insufficient, you simply must provide respiratory protective clothing.

Respiratory protective clothing is utilized:

If there is a danger that a person’s health will probably be altered as a result of inhaling air that is polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air in the workplace;

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

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

There are many types of respiratory protective clothing suitable for each situation and particular field. They work by locating a physical barrier involving the polluted atmosphere on the job and also the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). They are classed as Personal Protective gear, so it will be important to make a good substitute for make sure you are thoroughly protected.

Perform an evaluation of the workstation

You should define the circumstances useful beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity in the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of each kind of pollutant in the air

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Dimensions of the particles in the matter of aerosols

Exercising with the user

Duration of the job to get accomplished

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

Can be utilized in closed and confined spaces

Always use this type of protection if you find any doubt in regards to the excellence of the air, plus all atmospheres with an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

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

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

That may help you determine the type of respiratory protective equipment most suitable to your demands, we have provided a decision-making chart in line with the following questions:

Of what situation will the respiratory protective clothing supply?

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

Which pollutant is involved and exactly how toxic is it?

What’s the OEL, or permissible concentration level of the pollutant?

After choosing 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 of contaminant outside of the facepiece / Permissible concentration of contaminant inside the facepiece, or OEL.

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

As an example: when deciding on a filtering respirator (gas mask), you’ll want to find the most suitable equipment based on the protection levels shown in the table and pick the best filter (type and sophistication)

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 = Concentration of contaminant outside the facepiece / Permissible power of contaminant within the facepiece, or OEL.

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

By way of example: when choosing self-contained breathing apparatus, you should find the most suitable equipment using the protection levels shown inside the table and pick the best filter (type and class).

Equipment fitted to the job situation

Once you have determined the proper family of respiratory protective equipment, you have to be able to adapt the device for the work situation. It is very important involve future users from the shopping process since they’re individuals who’re best able to describe their activity.

The next parameters have to be looked at:

Physical characteristics of the wearer (beard, face scars, etc.) that may determine the size and style and design 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 suitable for more serious work; powered respirators works extremely well in the event the flow is sufficient counterbalance the negative pressure

The amount of time in which the gear will be worn: it is advisable to decide on powered filtering respirators in order to use them for over One hour

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

Communication requirements: you’ll find 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 helpful for welding operations, by way of example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective gear

Thermal constraints

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