Air-purifying respirators

The fundamental goal of any respiratory protection program is to control occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays and/or vapours.

The defence against these contaminants is simple: keep them out of the air that workers breathe. Always implement engineering and/or administrative controls first. If contaminants still present a hazard, you must provide appropriate respiratory protection for every employee who might be exposed to them.

MSA can help you take a comprehensive approach to sound respiratory protection practices. This guide will help you understand the need for respirators, how they work and what their limitations are. AS/NZS 1715/1716 and OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NIOSH (the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) regulations define all the specific requirements which must be followed, including the capabilities of appropriate respiratory protection. Employers must follow the requirements of these governmental regulations, both the general regulations which apply to all workplaces and the specific regulations for exposures in their particular industry, such as lead, silica dust, asbestos and benzene.

A written respiratory protection program is covered in seven steps:

1. Administration - The first step in a respiratory protection program is to establish written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators. Regular inspection and evaluation of the program will ensure its continued effectiveness. A written program will help employers, employees and compliance officers gauge the adequacy of a given program.
2. Hazard assessment - Proper assessment of your specific hazard(s) is the first important step to protection. This requires a thorough knowledge of processes, equipment, raw materials, end products and by-products that can create an exposure hazard.
3. Hazard control - Hazard control should start at the process, equipment and plant design levels where contaminants can be controlled effectively at the outset. With operating processes, the problem becomes more difficult in all cases; however, attention should be given to the use of effective engineering controls to eliminate and/or reduce exposures to respiratory hazards.
4. Respirator selection - Selecting respirators entails knowing what level of respiratory protection employees need, as well as which size respirator is right for any face and facial contours. Respiratory protective devices vary in design, application and protection capability. Thus, the user must assess the inhalation hazard and understand the specific use limitations of available equipment to ensure proper selection.
5. Training - For proper use of any respiratory protection device, it is essential that the user be properly instructed in its selection, use and maintenance. Both supervisors and workers must be so instructed by competent persons.
6. Respirator care - Proper inspection, maintenance and repair of respiratory protective equipment are mandatory to ensure success of any respiratory protection program. The goal is to maintain the equipment in a condition that provides the same effectiveness as it had when it was first manufactured.
7. Medical surveillance - According to OSHA, “Using a respirator may place a physiological burden on employees that varies with the type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee.” Employers must determine an employee’s ability to use a respirator. Workers should never be assigned to any operation requiring respiratory protection until a physician has determined that they are capable - physically and psychologically - to perform the work using the respiratory protective equipment.