Respiratory Protection: What it is and What it protects you from

Respiratory equipment is a vital part of the personal protective equipment list and can safeguard your workers from several potential workplace hazards. Respiratory protective equipment is primarily used to monitor exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos, silica, diesel exhaust emission, and similar hazards. Failing to provide proper safety equipment can result in your workers getting obstructive pulmonary disease, occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis, cancers, and several other life-threatening diseases. Complying to the Respiratory Protection standard by OSHA can potentially prevent large amounts of deaths and illnesses annually.

According to OSHA 1910.134(b) employers are required to provide each employee with a respirator when necessary to protect their employees. Employers are also responsible for establishing and maintain a respiratory protection program.

What Exactly is a Respirator?

Simply put, a respirator is a device designed to prevent you from inhaling threatening substances, like chemicals or infectious particles. Selecting the correct respirator is critical and requires a thorough assessment of workplace operations. Respirators either filter particles from the air, chemically cleaning the air or supplying clean air from an outside source.

The Different Types of Respirators

Particulate Respirators: Protect against particles. They do not protect against chemicals, gases, or vapors. They are ONLY intended for low hazard levels. A popular know particulate mask is the “N-95” mask, which is typically used in hospitals to protect against infectious agents.

Takeaways: Particulate respirators are air purifying respirators. They clean particles out of the air you breathe. They filter out dusts, fumes, and mists. They are typically disposable mask or have disposable filters.

Chemical Cartridge / GasMask Respirator: Also known as “air-purifying respirators” due to the fact they can filter or clean chemical gases out of the air you breathe. These respirators include a face piece with a cartridge or canister.

Air-purifying mask are only effective when used with the proper cartridge or filter therefore, it is critical to know what hazards you are working in, in order to remain safe.

Takeaways: Known as air-purifying respirator, these respirators use replaceable chemical cartridges or canisters to remove contaminants. These cartridges/canisters are color-coded to assist in selecting the right one.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR): These respirators use fans to generate air through the filter to user. PARP is battery operated. A plus about this type of respirator is that they use the same type of filter/cartridges as other air-purifying respirators.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Mostly used by firefighters, these respirators use their own air tank to supply air. They protect against higher concentration of threatening gases. We must mention that they are very heavy and require special training on how to use and maintain them.

Cautions & Limitations using a Respirator

Respirators that are tight fitting require fit testing which ensures proper fit to the face and cannot be used with facial hair. Like a snorkel, some escape respirators use nose clips and mouthpiece, clinched between your teeth. Other respirators prevent you from communicating while others have some form of a communication device.

Proper training is required for all respirators. Training is very critical when it comes to storing, maintaining, use and disposal. Not knowing how to properly use a respirator will prevent you from being protected and may cause additional harm.

To ensure your workers are protected at all times, Premier Safety offers an extensive selection of respiratory protective equipment, including respirators, helmets, tubes, filters, masks, and more. Our quality full-face respirators and P100 respirators, among other products, are subjected to strict quality checks to maintain excellent quality standards.

Premier Safety: Repair & Calibration

Premier Safety is a single-source provider of today’s most innovative technology, offering an extensive portfolio of System Sales, Field Service and Calibration solutions that allow us to deliver a cost-effective, safe, and productive workspace.

Premier Safety also provides ongoing technical support and field service with scheduled maintenance and calibration services throughout the life of the system. We document everything with detailed inspection reports. Our trained technicians adhere to manufacturer’s’ specifications when making any repairs and performing maintenance.

We provide comprehensive service for environmental instruments and respiratory equipment, including warranty work and preventative maintenance programs. Our factory-trained technicians restore all equipment to manufacturers' specifications and complete service documentation is provided on all work. We also conduct hydrostatic testing services for SCBA, SCUBA, Oxygen tanks...and more.