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Filtering or powered respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency escape breathing devices, self-rescuers plus much more… All of these these are known as respiratory protective gear! Absolutely suit: when if you work with them, and most importantly, how will you pick the right equipment to offer you maximum protection?

This is a sound practice help guide allow you to select the best kind of respiratory protection.

When should you use respiratory protection?

Prior to making the wearing of respiratory protective clothing (RPE) mandatory, it is very important 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 simple to put these measures in position, or maybe they’re insufficient, you simply must provide respiratory protective clothing.

Respiratory protective clothing is utilized:

If there is a danger that a person’s health is going to be altered due to inhaling air that’s polluted by gases, vapours, dust and aerosols or by oxygen-depleted air in the workplace;

When intervening to tackle a hearth or gas leak, as well as in closed spaces where the atmosphere may become dangerous on account of inhalation;

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

There are several kinds of respiratory protective clothing well suited for each situation and certain field. They work by placing physical barrier relating to the polluted atmosphere in the workplace and also the worker’s face (respiratory system, eyes, skin). These units are classed as Personal Protective Equipment, so it’s imperative that you make a good substitute for make sure you are properly protected.

Execute an exam of the workstation

You should define the stipulations of use beforehand:

Oxygen level

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

Toxicity with the pollutants

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

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), if appropriate

Measurements of the particles in the case of aerosols

Physical activity of the user

Use of the job to get accomplished

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

Respiratory equipment selection guide

There are two broad groups of respiratory protective equipment:

Self-contained breathing apparatus

The device supplies breathable air from a source. The consumer isn’t dependent upon the ambient air

Can be utilized in closed and confined spaces

Use this kind of protection if you find any doubt in regards to the expertise of the air, as well as in 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 kind of respiratory protective clothing most suitable to your demands, we now have provided a decision-making chart based on the following questions:

In what situation will the respiratory protective equipment be used?

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

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

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

After choosing the 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 = Power of contaminant away from facepiece / Permissible concentration of contaminant in the facepiece, or OEL.

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

For instance: when choosing a filtering respirator (gas mask), you have to find the most suitable equipment based on the protection levels shown inside the table and select 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’ll want to 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 ensure sufficient protection, the Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) and also the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) have to be in excess of the minimum required Protection Factor (PF).

As an example: when selecting self-contained breathing apparatus, you need to select the most suitable equipment depending on the protection levels shown within the table and judge the right filter (type and sophistication).

Equipment worthy of the project situation

Once you’ve determined the correct category of respiratory protective gear, you need to be capable of adapt the apparatus on the work situation. It is important to involve future users in the selection process because they’re the people who are best capable of describe their activity.

The following parameters must be taken into account:

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

Whether or not the person wears contacts or glasses, since there are special devices for attaching glasses

Work patterns: air line breathing systems are better suited to more serious work; powered respirators may be used if the flow will offset the negative pressure

The length of time that the device will be worn: it is best to choose powered filtering respirators if you want to use them for more than 1 hour

Visibility requirements: with regards 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 case of projections

Communication requirements: you will find models with phonic membranes and voice amplifiers enabling communication in harsh conditions for example confined spaces

Other personal protective gear and accessories to use: some kinds of equipment have integrated head, eye, ear and respiratory system protection – these are helpful for welding operations, for example.

Decontamination requirements applicable to respiratory protective gear

Thermal constraints

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