Respiratory
Buying guide
Respiratory
There are many types of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) available, designed to protect people from a variety of hazards in the workplace. These suit a variety of workplace situations and should match the specific requirements of the wearer. Many workers wear respirators or breathing apparatus to protect their health; these devices are collectively known as respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Respirators filter the air to remove harmful substances and breathing apparatus (BA) provides clean air for the worker to breathe. Whether you are an employer or self-employed, this guide will help those who have responsibility for the use of RPE at work. RPE should be used when there is a possibility of breathing in contaminated air, even if other controls are in place, such as an extraction system. The respirators use filters to remove contaminants from the air, allowing the wearer to breathe safely.
Work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume. For example, when:
Work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, gas or fume. Workers may also need to work in areas where oxygen levels are low such as confined spaces, a chamber or tank. RPE is designed to protect the wearer from these hazards: Efficiency
Respiratory protective equipment at work
Choosing the right protection for your task
Brick dust Concrete Plaster
Welding
Metal fumes
• Handling a dusty powder.
Anti-clogging (D)
Sandstone
• Cutting a material such as stone or wood. • Using a product containing volatile solvents.
Filtration efficiency (80 - 99%)
Silica
Construction
Buying guide
Ferrous metal fume Lead fume
• Welding stainless steel.
To select RPE that will protect the wearer you will need a basic understanding of:
Fibres
Fibre glass strand
Rockwool insulation
• Any specific wearer requirements, such as other PPE being worn at the same time, or a need for spectacles. Respirators are rigorously tested to make sure they meet varying levels of industry safety standards, for example: EN149 • EN143 • EN405 • EN114387.
Wood (soft) Wood (hard) MDF hand tools Water based
Painting
• The type of work being carried out.
Woods
• The hazardous substance and the amount in the air (exposure). • The form of the substance in the air (e.g. gas, particle, vapour).
Mineral fibres
Powered prep Manual prep Mechanical stripping
Specific requirements for RPE use A fit test should be performed before entering a contaminated or hazardous area to ensure that the RPE is working correctly for you. RPE is available in different sizes to allow for the facial differences of workers. Gender, ethnicity, build and many other factors mean that one size of face piece will not fit everyone. You will require RPE that is adequate and suitable to ensure the wearer is protected. This means: • Adequate – It is right for the hazard and reduces exposure to the level required to protect the wearer’s health. • Suitable – It is right for the wearer, task and environment, such that the wearer can work freely and without additional risks due to the RPE.
Other common factors about the wearer you need to consider are: • Do they have facial hair or markings that could prevent a good seal between the wearer’s face and the RPE? • Do they have any pre-existing medical conditions? • Do they wear spectacles or contact lenses? Remember, (RPE) can protect only the wearer if it is used correctly. If poorly maintained or used incorrectly, it will not provide the required protection. (RPE) can be uncomfortable to wear and may interfere with work, which can lead to incorrect use. For more information and further guidance, please visit: www.hse.gov.uk
Choosing the suitable protection for your task Below is a graph with information to help you select the type of RPE that best suits you and the task at hand. It depicts the level of filtration efficiency, the types of protection offered and which EN standard it relates to:
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Alexandra West Park House Midland Way Thornbury Bristol BS35 2NT t 0333 600 1111 f 0333 700 2222
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MANUAL PREP
MECHANICAL STRIPPING
99
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POWERED PREP
EN149
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WATER BASED
FFP3V
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PAINTING
MDF HAND TOOLS
PE13
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HARD
80
SOFT
EN149
ROCKWOOL INSULATION
FFP2V
WOODS
MINERAL
PE12
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FIBRES
GLASS STRANDS
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LEAD
94
FERROUS
EN149
SANDSTONE
FFP2V
PLASTER
ANTI-CLOGGING (D)
PE11
CONCRETE
EN STANDARD
BRICK DUST
VALVE
METAL FUMES
CONSTRUCTION
SILICA
CODE
% FILTRATION
EFFICIENCY
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