Alexandra - Respiratory Buying Guide

Respiratory
Buying guide

Respiratory
Buying guide
Respiratory protective equipment at work
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.
Choosing the
right protection
for your task
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:
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:
• Cutting a material such as stone or wood.
• Using a product containing volatile solvents.
• Handling a dusty powder.
• Welding stainless steel.
To select RPE that will protect the wearer you will need a basic
understanding of:
• The hazardous substance and the amount in the air (exposure).
• The form of the substance in the air (e.g. gas, particle, vapour).
• The type of work being carried out.
• 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.
Efficiency
Construction
Metal
fumes
Fibres
Woods
Painting
Filtration efficiency (80 - 99%)
Anti-clogging (D)
Silica
Brick dust
Concrete
Plaster
Sandstone
Welding
Ferrous metal fume
Lead fume
Fibre glass strand
Mineral fibres
Rockwool insulation
Wood (soft)
Wood (hard)
MDF hand tools
Water based
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:
EFFICIENCY
CONSTRUCTION
METAL
FUMES
FIBRES WOODS PAINTING
CODE VALVE EN STANDARD
% FILTRATION
ANTI-CLOGGING (D)
SILICA
BRICK DUST
CONCRETE
PLASTER
SANDSTONE
FERROUS
LEAD
GLASS STRANDS
MINERAL
ROCKWOOL INSULATION
SOFT
HARD
MDF HAND TOOLS
WATER BASED
POWERED PREP
MANUAL PREP
MECHANICAL STRIPPING
PE11 FFP2V EN149 94 • • • • • • • • • •
PE12 FFP2V EN149 80 • •
PE13 FFP3V EN149 99 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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