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Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers and much more… Many of these are called respiratory protective equipment! Now you ask: when the use of them, and most importantly, how would you pick the right equipment to provide you maximum protection?

This is a good practice help guide 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 for example finding substitutes for hazardous substances or installing air purification techniques (closing off processes, trapping pollutants, ventilating the premises, etc.). If it is not easy to put these measures in place, or maybe if they are insufficient, you simply must provide respiratory protective gear.

Respiratory protective gear is employed:

If you have a hazard a person’s health will probably be altered due to inhaling air that is certainly polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air at work;

When intervening to tackle a fireplace or gas leak, and in closed spaces where the atmosphere may become dangerous as a result of inhalation;

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

There are lots of kinds of respiratory protective gear ideal for each situation and certain field. They work by placing a physical barrier relating to the polluted atmosphere at work along with the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). These devices are classed as Personal Protective gear, so it’s important to make a good choice to make sure you are well protected.

Execute an exam with the workstation

You have to define the stipulations of usage beforehand:

Oxygen level

Form 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

Size of the particles in the matter of aerosols

Exercise of the user

Time period of the task to become completed

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There are 2 broad categories of respiratory protective gear:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

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

Works extremely well in closed and confined spaces

Always employ such a protection if you find any doubt about the company’s air, along with all atmospheres with the oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

The equipment 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 kind of respiratory protective clothing ideal to your desires, we have provided a decision-making chart based on the following questions:

As to what situation will the respiratory protective clothing supply?

What is the oxygen level over work? Note: a standard oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

What sort of pollutant is involved and the way toxic can it be?

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

After choosing 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 contaminant outside the facepiece / Permissible power contaminant in the facepiece, or OEL.

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

For example: when picking a filtering respirator (gas mask), you need to pick the most appropriate equipment depending on the protection levels shown from the table and judge the proper 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 of contaminant beyond your facepiece / Permissible power of contaminant inside facepiece, or OEL.

To ensure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) along with the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) must be higher than the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

For instance: when picking self-contained breathing apparatus, you have to choose the best suited equipment in line with the protection levels shown within the table and pick the right filter (type and class).

Equipment worthy of the job situation

When you have determined the appropriate group of respiratory protective equipment, you need to be capable to adapt the gear towards the work situation. It is very important involve future users from the shopping process since they’re those who are best in a position to describe their activity.

The subsequent parameters should be looked at:

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 the person wears contacts or glasses, as 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 which is why the equipment will be worn: it is best to select powered filtering respirators if you need to use them for more than One hour

Visibility requirements: depending on the needs, organic beef recommend panoramic facepieces for improved visibility, single-use visors or hoods with a replaceable visor offering eye protection in case there is projections

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

Other personal protective equipment and accessories to use: some kinds of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – they may be a good choice for welding operations, as an example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective clothing

Thermal constraints

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