Respiratory Protection
Respiratory injuries are not readily apparent in the workplace unlike head or foot injuries. In some cases it may not be until after workers retire that symptons and diagnosis happens. It is therefore very important that all staff that are, or may be, at risk have access to Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) that not only meets an appropriate European standard, but also fits the user.
In the UK the health and Safety Executives are trying to reduce the figures for diagnosed work related respiratory illness (there were 2997 instances in 2006/7) and now require that all persons working with Lead or Asbestos are fit-tested. In 2005, 373 death certificates included work related asbestosis as the underlying cause of death.
There are currently approximately 12,000 deaths each year due to occupational respiratory diseases, about two-thirds of which were due to asbestos-related diseases or COPD.
Want help with respiratory protection? Click here to read the Respiratory FAQ
Filtering Facepieces
Suitable for solid and water-based aerosols. Available in a wide range of models to comply with almost every protection needs (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3).
Cartridge Masks
Professional and durable to be used in combination with gas, particles or combined cartridges series 2000. These half masks are ideal for the handling of dangerous chemical substances, toxic gases, solvents and dusts. Suitable for use in chemical and pharmaceutical companies, agriculture, mining industry and for spray painting. DUPLA is a full face mask to be used in combination with two gas or combined cartridges series 2000.
Cartridges for Masks
New Range
Gas, particles and combined cartridges with special quick connector for use with Duetta, Duo and Dupla. Lighter and smaller but with the high performances as ever, the new range of cartridges is the result of the fruitful Research & Development and of the technology improvement. You will easily recognize the new series by the blue navy colour of the housing, much darker than in previous models. Already available in many versions and capacities, the new range has been widened with new models: B1, E1, ABE1, K1 also in the combined version P2 and P3. For specific chemicals or multi-purpose cartridges.
Masks With Threaded Connector EN 148/1
These masks are equipped with a standard threaded connector EN148/1 for gas and particle filters, negative pressure apparatus, air line. ST 85 is a professional and durable half mask with a standard threaded connector. It is ideal for chemical and pharmaceutical companies, agriculture and mining industry. TR82 and TR2002 are masks with wide visor and speech device. These masks are available in TPE, EPDM or Silicone
Screw Filters
New Series
Gas, particle and combined filters with plastic body and standard threaded connector EN148/1. Lighter and smaller but with the high performances as ever, the new range of filters is the result of the fruitful Research & Development and of the technology improvement. You will easily recognize the new series by the blue navy colour of the housing, much darker than in previous models. Already available in many versions and capacities, the new range has been widened with new models: A2B2E2 and A2B2E2P3. For specific chemicals and polyvalent or universal for a complete protection.
SCBA Series MK2
EN137:2006 Type 2
(Fire Fighters)
Self contained breathing apparatus whose duration depends on the model and on the cylinder mounted: 3 or 6 liter 300 bar steel or 6,8 or 9 liter 300 bar composite cylinders. RN can be supplied with mask and demand valve type A (EN148/3) or with mask and demand valve type BN (snap-in connector and threaded connector EN148/1 for filters). The breathing apparatus is ideal for fire brigades and rescue teams for fire fighting and activities in extremely polluted environments or in oxygen deficiency
EEBD - Emergency Escape SK1203
Escape Respirators
220N P3 composed of a half mask, totally made of selfextinguishing rubber and a particle filter type 220 P3 protecting from dusts, fumes and mists. The respirator is ideal for the protection against fumes developing from forest fire. 220N ABEK 15 and 220N ABEK P15 composed of a half mask and a filter, held in a rigid plastic shell with carrying clip. Type 220N ABEK 15 protects from organic vapors, acid gases and vapors, sulphur dioxide and ammonia. Type 220N ABEK P15 protects from all substances previously listed and dusts, fumes and mists. Ideal for use in chemical plants.
Mobile Feeding Units RC 25002
They are wheeled self contained breathing apparatus whose duration varies from 120 minutes to 10 hours approx. Available with one or two steel cylinders 50 litre 200 bar or 2 or 4 cylinders 6 litre 300 bar. Used for long duration interventions or in confined spaces where the encumbrance of cylinder on the back plate impedes the access or movement. They can feed one or two operators through hoses of 10, 20, 30 or 50 meters.
The SK120 is a open circuit breathing apparatus with hood. It is to be used in emergency escape situations in all the potentially dangerous environments because of the presence of fumes or low level of oxygen. It is designed to create a constant air flow of 15 minutes.
Respiratory Protection FAQs
The following questions are those that our Technical Helpline is commonly asked, some of them almost everyday. If any of the answers do not answer your question please give us a call on +357 99 050 422 and we will be able to give you the answer your looking for.
I know what the contaminant is and there is no practical way of reducing the exposure, so all I have to do is buy masks. What is the secret to selecting the correct mask? There are several things that should be considered when selecting respiratory protection. The first thing that should be considered is the suitability of a mask to the contaminant and the nature of the contaminant as it is experienced. For example there is no point using a dust mask to protect against acidic vapours. Secondly, you should also bear in mind whether you want disposable masks or reusable respirators. The advantage of disposable masks is that there are no requirements to keep records under current legislation where as reusable respirators may be more cost effective over time and have the added advantage that the same mask can be multi functional by changing the filter cartridge.
Can I have a copy of the COSHH sheet for the mask that I have?
No, COSHH is the abbreviation for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Respiratory protection is designed to protect you, not be hazardous to your health. You should have COSHH sheets for all the substances which may be used in or formed during the manufacturing process, found in the materials used, or during maintenance (i.e. Painting and Cleaning) or they may be natural chemicals, fluids and other materials that you are working with. We can provide you with a data sheet for all the respiratory products that we manufacture, give the Helpline a call.
So what do I have to do, comply with COSHH?
We cannot answer this question completely since the COSHH handbook (available at all good book shops) is quite a large volume and hence it is not possible to put all the information in to this guide.
However we can outline some of the salient points for you. As an employer it is your duty to ensure that you have a comprehensive risk assessment done with a written report. It may be that you do not have the ability to perform this assessment yourself, since it requires such action as measuring the contaminant in the air.
There are commercial Health and Safety Consultants who can perform this assessment for you. Once the risks are known the regulations require the introduction of control measures and the maintenance of these measures. You are also required to monitor the effectiveness of these measures on the health of your staff.
I have been told that I need to be fit tested, what is fit testing?
It is a way to check that the mask being worn is actually offering the protection that it is supposed to. While masks are type tested on real people, everyone has a different shape face, and what fits one person may not get a good seal on another. The Health and Safety Executive require that if you are working with lead or asbestos that you have quantitative fit testing carried out and they recommend that at least Qualitative fit testing is carried out for all types of tight fitting respirators.
I have had an assessment done and it shows that one of the chemicals I use is six times over the WEL. What does WEL stand for and what should I do?
WEL stands for Workplace Exposure Limit. The WEL is the safety line decided upon by the Health and Safety Executive.
If the levels of concentration are below the WEL then no action is needed. However since one of your chemicals is over the WEL then it is time for action. For example: Xylene is present at a concentration of 300ppm. The WEL is 50ppm, the necessary protection factor is therefore:- 300ppm = 6
50ppm
Therefore a half mask with an A1 gas filter, which has an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 10 is appropriate.
What does the Assigned Protection Factor of a disposable dust mask mean?
It is the level of protection that a wearer can reasonably expect. The factor can be used to multiple the WEL to determine the maximum concentration that can be worked in when wearing a particular type of mask.
How do I know when a dust is fine or very fine?
There are set definitions of the different sizes of particles. Particles that are bigger than 5 micrometers (millionths of a metre) are classed as dusts, between 2 and 5 micrometers are classed as fine particles and anything less than 2 micrometers are very fine.
I have seen different filters with different colour bands on them what does that mean?
Each colour signifies a different gas/vapour or duct that the filter is designed to filter out. The table below shows the different colours and what they mean:- JSP Filter Type Table
What mask and filter for working with MDF?
This depends on how the MDF is being worked. Any use of machine tools will create vapours as the glues and fungicides are heated, in this case a twin half mask fitted with combination AB1P2 filters should be used. If hand tools are being used then a disposable dust mask to FFP2 requirement should be used.
What do you mean by Combination Filters?
A combination mask has filters fitted that have more than one of the colour bandings shown above. An MDF mask has filters that are AB1P2 combinations. These filters work against organic (A) and inorganic (B) vapours as well as filtering dust (P). If you only need an organic vapour filter it is much better to use an A filter rather than a combination filter as you will get a better performance from it.
How long will the disposable mask last?
Disposable dust masks are designed for single use only, after each wearing they should be discarded. A single use should not exceed eight hours. However the mask may not last this long in heavy concentrations of hazard, when the mask becomes clogged the hazard will start to be drawn in around the edge of the mask, the easiest way in, so it is very important that they are not used for too long. Used masks should be disposed of safely as they will have the properties of the hazard that have been used to protect against.
What mask and filter for working with Asbestos?
The correct grade of filter for Asbestos is P3, for people working with Asbestos we would always recommend the Olympus® Full Face Respirator fitted with a P3 Canister Filter. In addition a Quantitative Face Fit Test must be carried out to ensure adequate protection. Asbestos removal will usually need to be carried out by specially trained and licensed organisations.
What type of filter can a pre filter be fitted to?
They can only be fitted to gas vapours filters. They must not be fitted to dust filters as this make the breathing resistance too high, causing the mask to leak around the edge, thus offering little actual protection.
Why can I not remove the filters from this mask (Filterjet/Maxijet /Tradesman2)?
The mask has been made to EN405 Standard - the mask has a maximum life of 28 days from opening its bag - it has been designed for the whole unit to be correctly disposed of after this period. The filters therefore are not removable.
What mask and filter for painting / paint spraying?
More information is needed such as what type of paint and what is the paint? The information needed will include:
Name of Hazard (proper chemical name)
Can be found in 'Risk Assessment'; 'Product Label'; 'Safety Data Sheet'.
What form is the Hazard encountered?
Can be found in 'Risk Assessment'; 'Product Label'; Safety Data Sheet'.
What is the airborne concentration?
Only airborne contaminates can be inhaled - can be found in 'Risk Assessment'.
How long will the workers be exposed to the hazard in 24 hours?
Can be found in 'Risk Assessment'.
What respirator should I use to protect against vehicle exhaust fumes?
You can get filters to take out the soot particles and unburnt hydrocarbons (fuel) but not to take out the carbon monoxide. So the ideal solution would be a supplied air system or self contained breathing apparatus.
We have been advised that we should have a respiratory protection plan in place that meets the EN, what is this?
BS EN 529 is the European Standard titled 'Respiratory protective devices – Recommendations for selection, use, car and maintenance – Guidance document'. If you follow the guidelines in this document you are likely to have a Respiratory Protection Plan in place that will satisfy the Factory Inspector. The standard lists all the relevant standards and will help you meet your legal requirements. If you only ever buy one standard, this is the one to buy!