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

Here is a good practice guide to enable you to select the right sort of respiratory protection.

When must you use respiratory protection?

Prior to you making the wearing of respiratory protective clothing (RPE) mandatory, it is essential to 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 set up, or if perhaps they’re insufficient, you will need to provide respiratory protective gear.

Respiratory protective gear is used:

If there is a risk 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 in the workplace;

When intervening to tackle a fire or gas leak, and in closed spaces the place that the atmosphere can be dangerous as a result of inhalation;

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

There are many kinds of respiratory protective gear well suited for each situation and particular field. They work by placing physical barrier involving the polluted atmosphere at work as well as the worker’s face (respiratory system, eyes, skin). They are classed as Personal Protective gear, so it will be crucial that you make the right choice to be sure you are thoroughly protected.

Perform an exam from the workstation

You have to define the stipulations of use beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity with the pollutants

Worst-case-scenario concentrations of each sort of pollutant in mid-air

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Measurements of the particles in the matter of aerosols

Physical activity with the user

Use of the work being performed

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There are 2 broad kinds of respiratory protective gear:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

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

Can be utilized in closed and confined spaces

Use this type of protection if you find any doubt regarding the excellence of the air, as well as in all atmospheres having an oxygen level < 17%

Filtering respirators

The gear filters and purifies the contaminated air. An individual breathes the ambient air.

The ambient air must contain between 17 and 21% oxygen

That will help you determine the respiratory protective gear suitable to your needs, we have provided a decision-making chart depending on the following questions:

As to what situation will the respiratory protective gear be utilized?

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

What sort of pollutant is involved and exactly how toxic can it be?

Is there a OEL, or permissible concentration level of the pollutant?

After selecting the 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 = Concentration of contaminant outside of the facepiece / Permissible power contaminant in 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).

For instance: when deciding on a filtering respirator (gas mask), you need to choose the best fitting equipment using the protection levels shown from the table and pick 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 = Energy contaminant away from facepiece / Permissible energy contaminant inside the facepiece, or OEL.

To make sure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) and also the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) should be higher than the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

By way of example: when deciding on self-contained breathing apparatus, you should choose the best suited equipment depending on the protection levels shown inside the table and pick the best filter (type and sophistication).

Equipment suitable for the work situation

Once you’ve determined the appropriate class of respiratory protective clothing, you need to be capable to adapt the gear for the work situation. You must involve future users within the process because they are individuals who are best able to describe their activity.

The next parameters need to be looked at:

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

Perhaps the person wears contacts or glasses, with there being special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems are better suitable for more intense work; powered respirators may be used when the flow is sufficient to cancel out the negative pressure

The amount of time which is why the equipment is going to be worn: it is better to pick powered filtering respirators if you need to put them on for longer than 60 minutes

Visibility requirements: depending on the needs, natural meats recommend panoramic facepieces for improved visibility, single-use visors or hoods with 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 including confined spaces

Other personal protective equipment and accessories to be used: some kinds of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – they may be useful for welding operations, by way of example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective clothing

Thermal constraints

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