Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers plus more… Most of these these are known as respiratory protective gear! Now you ask: when the use of them, and above all, how will you pick the right equipment to provide maximum protection?

This is a good practice self-help guide to allow you to select the best type of respiratory protection.

When are you looking to use respiratory protection?

Before making 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.). If it’s not easy to put these measures set up, or if these are insufficient, you will need to provide respiratory protective gear.

Respiratory protective gear can be used:

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

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

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

There are several types of respiratory protective gear suited to each situation and particular field. They work by placing a physical barrier between the polluted atmosphere in the office along with the worker’s face (respiratory tract, eyes, skin). The unit are classed as Personal Protective clothing, so it is important to make the right choice to make sure you are properly protected.

Carry out an exam with the workstation

You’ll want to define the circumstances useful beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity in the pollutants

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

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Dimensions of the particles regarding aerosols

Physical exercise with the user

Use of the work to get carried out

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There are two broad types of respiratory protective equipment:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

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

Can be used in closed and confined spaces

Use such a protection when there is question in regards to the excellence of the air, and in all atmospheres by having an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

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

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

To help you determine the kind of respiratory protective gear suitable to your wants, we have provided a decision-making chart in line with the following questions:

Of what situation will the respiratory protective equipment be utilized?

What’s the oxygen level during the period of work? Note: a normal oxygen level is between 17 and 21%

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

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

After deciding on 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 within the facepiece, or OEL.

To make sure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) along with the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) should be in excess of the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

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

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

To ensure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) along with the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) have to be in excess of the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

For example: when picking self-contained breathing apparatus, you’ll want to choose the most appropriate equipment in line with the protection levels shown from the table and judge the correct filter (type and class).

Equipment worthy of the job situation

Once you have determined the proper family of respiratory protective gear, you’ll need to be able to adapt the equipment towards the work situation. It is important to involve future users within the process because they are individuals who are best capable of describe their activity.

The following parameters need to be looked at:

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

If the person wears glasses or contact lenses, 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 if your flow is enough to counterbalance the negative pressure

How long in which the device is going to be worn: it is best to pick powered filtering respirators if you need to put them on in excess of An hour

Visibility requirements: depending on the needs, natural meats 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: you can find models with phonic membranes and voice amplifiers enabling communication in harsh conditions such as confined spaces

Other personal protective equipment and accessories to be utilized: particular sorts of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory tract protection – they may be helpful for welding operations, for example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective clothing

Thermal constraints

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