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

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

When are you looking to use respiratory protection?

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

Respiratory protective equipment is used:

If you have a danger a person’s health will probably be altered because of inhaling air that is certainly polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air on the job;

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

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

There are several forms of respiratory protective gear suited to each situation and particular field. They work by placing a physical barrier relating to the polluted atmosphere in the office as well as the worker’s face (respiratory system, eyes, skin). The unit are classed as Personal Protective Equipment, so it will be imperative that you make a good replacement for make sure you are thoroughly protected.

Carry out an exam from the workstation

You need to define the physical conditions of use beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity in the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of every sort of pollutant in the air

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Proportions of the particles in the matter of aerosols

Exercise in the user

Time period of the job to be performed

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There’s 2 broad types of respiratory protective gear:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

The equipment supplies breathable air from an outside source. The consumer is not determined by the ambient air

Works extremely well in closed and confined spaces

Only use this kind of protection if you find any doubt concerning the company’s air, plus all atmospheres with an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

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

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

To help you determine the respiratory protective gear most suitable to your wants, we have provided a decision-making chart using the following questions:

As to what situation will the respiratory protective equipment supply?

Exactly what is the oxygen level during the period of work? Note: an ordinary oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

What type of pollutant is involved and just how toxic could it be?

What is the OEL, or permissible concentration a higher level the pollutant?

After choosing 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 away from facepiece / Permissible power contaminant within the facepiece, or OEL.

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

For instance: when choosing a filtering respirator (gas mask), you need to select the best suited equipment depending on the protection levels shown from the table and judge the best filter (type and class)

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 of contaminant outside of the facepiece / Permissible energy 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 higher than the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

For example: when choosing self-contained breathing apparatus, you should select the best fitting equipment based on the protection levels shown within the table and choose the proper filter (type and class).

Equipment worthy of the project situation

Once you’ve determined the appropriate category of respiratory protective clothing, you need to be capable of adapt the gear towards the work situation. It is essential to involve future users inside the buying process as they are individuals who are best capable to describe their activity.

The subsequent parameters need to be looked at:

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

Perhaps the person wears contacts or glasses, because there are special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems are better worthy of more intense work; powered respirators can be used in the event the flow is enough to offset the negative pressure

The length of time which is why the apparatus will probably be worn: it is best to select powered filtering respirators if you wish to use them in excess of 1 hour

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

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

Other personal protective gear and accessories to be used: some types of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory tract protection – they may be helpful for welding operations, as an example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective gear

Thermal constraints

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