Respiratory Protective Equipment is a key protective measure when it comes to defending employees from hazardous airborne dust. It can prevent even some of the most pervasive chemicals, vapours and dusts getting in and causing long-term health issues for workers. Therefore, it's important to ensure you have the right RPE and are using it in the right way.
Before you consider using RPE in your workplace, you must explore all other avenues of preventing and reducing respiratory-related hazards and all reasonably practicable measures implemented in the first instance. This could include improved ventilation and using less hazardous materials.
Carrying out a risk assessment is the clearest way of identifying all the present risks and working out the most effective way to tackle these. It is a legal requirement that you use RPE as a last resort.
Employer Responsibilities
When supplying RPE, it's the duty of the employer to:
Provide the correct RPE
Ensure it is suitable for the task
Offer training on the equipment and ensure the equipment is stored, cleaned and maintained correctly
Regularly inspect RPE to make sure it is fit for purpose
Anyone using RPE will need to be informed why they need the equipment, when and how it should be used, repaired or replaced and if there are any limitations.
There are two main types of respiratory protective equipment, respirators and breathing apparatus, and come in many different designs to:
Protect the wearer from a variety of hazards
Suit a variety of work situations
Match the specific requirement of the wearer
Respirators
Respirators are filtering devices that use filters to remove contaminant from the air being breathed in. They can be either non-powered and therefore rely on the wearer's breathing to draw in air or powered; using a motor to supply clean air. Filters are a key component for both type of respirators but are either an intrinsic part of the device or come separately so they can be changed on a reusable respirator.
They are available for solid or liquid particles or vapours and gases and therefore vital the correct filter is used to protect the wearer against the hazard.
Widely used, disposable masks are fit for single use and available with different protection factors depending on what level of protection is required. They offer particulate protection only and are available in three classes: FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3. Tight-fitting masks require a face fit test and rely on having a good seal with the wearer's face, therefore cannot be worn with facial hair.
Arco Professional Safety Services Fit2Fit accredited mobile respiratory protection team can conduct qualitative and quantitative face fit testing.
Not suitable for workers with facial hair as this affects the seal
With disposables only suitable for one-off use, this can be costly in the long run and
Generate a high amount of waste
FFP1
FFP1 is one of the three particle half mask classes defined by the standard EN 149. Offering a filter efficiency of 80%, FFP1 masks provide a minimum level of protection against large, solid particles and irritating substances only.
FFP2 is one of the three particle half mask classes defined by EN 149. FFP2 masks offer a filter efficiency of 95% suitable for environments where workers may be exposed to firm and fluid deleterious and mutagenic airborne dusts, smoke or aerosols.
FFP3 is one of the three particle half mask classes defined by EN 149 and offers the maximum level of protection with a filter efficiency of 99%. The total leakage may amount to a max. of 5% and they must filter 99% of all particles up to 0.6 μm (microns)
There are two types of reusable masks: half masks and full-face masks. Both facepieces cover the nose, mouth and chin, while the full-mask also cover the eyes.
For both masks, oxygen is drawn in through the inhalation valve, through a filter, into the mask. When breathing out, an inlet valve then closes and an exhalation valve opens to allow exhaled air to escape the atmosphere.
Reusable masks are recommended for longer tasks (over an hour) as they are generally more comfortable for the wearer than disposables
Better for the environment
Lower running costs
Cons:
Not suitable for workers with facial hair as this affects the seal
Servicing and maintenance costs
Reusable respirators require a legal record kept of COSHH inspections and maintenance every 28 days as a minimum
Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
Powered air systems provide extensive protection from hazardous airborne substances, creating an air flow inside either a tight-fitting facepiece or loose-fitting hood. Tight-fitting masks rely on having a good seal with the wearer's face and therefore cannot be worn with facial hair. These types of RPE require a face fit test. Loose-fitting facepieces such as hoods and visors rely on enough clean air filling the headtop to prevent contaminant leaking in.
Breathing apparatus can be used against a range of airborne hazards and in different atmospheres by supplying air from an independent source such as a compressed air cylinder or air compressor.
Face coverings are not manufactured to a recognised standard and do not contain a CE marking. Face coverings are not the same as face masks. They are not classed as personal protective equipment (PPE)
A face mask, also known as a medical or surgical masks, is a loose-fitting disposable mask that creates a physical barrier between the wearer’s noise and mouth and contaminants, they are also resistant to droplets of fluid and splashes.
A respiratory protective device is designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Also known as Filtering Face Piece they are manufactured to recognised standards for PPE.
It’s important for employers to first consider how hazardous substances can be prevented, reduced or controlled. Our joined-up approach starts with consultancy and expert advice to prevent, reduce or manage the risks across the hierarchy of control.
Selecting both adequate and suitable RPE is vital to ensure the correct level of protection is issued. One size facepiece does not fit all which is why it’s important to supply RPE that is specific for the risk and best fits the wearer.
