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 gear! Absolutely suit: when should you use them, and most importantly, how do you pick the right equipment to provide you maximum protection?

Here’s a good practice guide to enable you to pick the right type of respiratory protection.

When do you need to use respiratory protection?

Prior to you making the wearing of respiratory protective gear (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.). If it’s not easy to put these measures in place, or if they may be insufficient, you will need to provide respiratory protective clothing.

Respiratory protective gear is utilized:

If you find a risk that the person’s health is going to be altered due to inhaling air which is polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air at work;

When intervening to tackle a hearth or gas leak, and in closed spaces the location where the atmosphere can become dangerous because of inhalation;

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

There are lots of varieties of respiratory protective equipment suitable for each situation and certain field. They work by locating a physical barrier involving the polluted atmosphere at work along with the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). They are classed as Personal Protective Equipment, so it’s vital that you make a good option to be sure you are properly protected.

Execute an evaluation in the workstation

You need to define the circumstances people beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity of the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of each and every type of pollutant up

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Dimensions of the particles when it comes to aerosols

Exercise in the user

Amount of the project to become carried out

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 gear supplies breathable air from an external source. The user is just not dependent upon the ambient air

Can be utilized in closed and confined spaces

Always use this kind of protection if you find any doubt concerning the company’s air, plus all atmospheres by having 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

That will help you determine the kind of respiratory protective equipment best suited to your demands, we have provided a decision-making chart based on the following questions:

Of what situation will the respiratory protective equipment provide?

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

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

Exactly what is 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’ll want to determine the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

Minimum required PF = Energy contaminant outside the facepiece / Permissible power contaminant inside the facepiece, or OEL.

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

By way of example: when choosing a filtering respirator (gas mask), you need to choose the most suitable equipment based on the protection levels shown from the table and choose the proper 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 = Energy contaminant beyond your facepiece / Permissible power of contaminant inside the facepiece, or OEL.

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

As an example: when deciding on self-contained breathing apparatus, you’ll want to select the most suitable equipment based on the protection levels shown from the table and pick the right filter (type and class).

Equipment suitable for the task situation

When you have determined the proper class of respiratory protective clothing, you’ll need to be capable of adapt the apparatus towards the work situation. You must involve future users within the buying process since they’re individuals who’re best capable to describe their activity.

The following parameters must be looked at:

Physical characteristics in the wearer (beard, face scars, etc.) that can determine the dimensions and design of protection (helmet, hood, facepiece, etc.)

Perhaps the person wears glasses or contact lenses, as there are special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems be more effective suitable for more intense work; powered respirators can be utilized when the flow is enough to cancel out the negative pressure

The length of time for which the device will be worn: it is far better to choose powered filtering respirators if you need to put them on for more than One hour

Visibility requirements: depending 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 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 clothing and accessories to use: some kinds of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – these are a good choice for welding operations, for instance.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective equipment

Thermal constraints

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