Respiratory protectionN95

RPE can protect your health and even save your life. Many workers have died because they have entered confined spaces without RPE, used incorrect RPE and/or worn RPE incorrectly.

Who is responsible for respirator maintenance

In accordance with the manufacturer's information and instructions, and as instructed by your employer. You will be trained by your employer to make this easy for you.

Assess the risks presented by exposure to hazardous substances. Then identify the steps needed to adequately control the risks; put them into operation and ensure they remain effective. RPE may be one of the control measures.

Where RPE is used, it must be able to provide adequate protection for individual wearers. RPE can't protect the wearer if it leaks. A major cause of leaks is poor fit – tight-fitting facepieces need to fit the wearer's face to be effective.

An effective system of maintenance for RPE is essential to make sure the equipment continues to provide the degree of protection for which it is designed. Therefore, the manufacturer's maintenance schedule (including recommended replacement periods and shelf lives) should always be followed.

when inspecting a respirator before you use it, ensure that:

As people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes it is unlikely that one particular type or size of RPE facepiece will fit everyone. Fit testing will help ensure that the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer.

OSHArespiratory protectionstandard PDF

Maintenance may include cleaning, examination, replacement, repair and testing. The wearer may be able carry out simple maintenance (eg cleaning), but more intricate repairs should be carried out by a competent person.

People come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. It is unlikely that one particular type, or size of RPE facepiece, will fit everyone. For this reason, manufacturers offer different size and shape facepieces such as masks, visors and hoods.

Stun Guns and Tasers are both types of electroshock weapons designed for personal defense, but they have distinct differences in terms of how they function and their overall effectiveness. Let's explore the key differences between the two:

Respiratory protectionToolbox Talk

where wouldbethe best place to store your respirator?

Employees have a legal duty to cooperate with their employers and use control measures (justified by risk assessment) provided in accordance with the instruction, information and training provided.

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RPE fit testing should be conducted by a competent person - you should take steps to ensure that any person you engage as a fit tester is appropriately trained, qualified and experienced, and is provided with appropriate information to undertake each particular task. The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has introduced a scheme for fit testers, which may provide evidence to help you decide whether a fit tester is competent.

An RPE programme encapsulates all the elements of RPE use you need to ensure that your RPE is effective in protecting the wearers.

OSHArespiratory protectionfact Sheet

RPE should be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is extremely important to protect your health. RPE left lying around in dirty areas increases the risk of you being exposed due to contamination on the inside of the facepiece, and parts deteriorating from exposure to dirt, solvents, vapours, oil, UV light and sunlight.

For RPE to remain effective during use it should be integrated into operational procedures. You must ensure that control measures, including RPE, are properly used and not made ineffective by incorrect work practices or incorrect use. You should ensure that employees use the control measures, including RPE, the way they are intended to be used and as trained and instructed by you. It is often best to give a choice of several correctly specified types of RPE to wearers so they can choose the one they like.

Any respirator will protect you in an idlh atmosphere

In summary, both stun guns and Tasers are designed to incapacitate attackers through electric shock, but they differ in terms of range, method of deployment, and overall effectiveness. Stun guns require direct contact, while Tasers can be used from a distance. Tasers tend to provide more reliable incapacitation and are commonly used by law enforcement professionals. When considering personal safety options, it's essential to understand the differences between these devices and choose the one that aligns with your needs and legal regulations in your jurisdiction.

The performance of tight-fitting facepieces depends on achieving a good contact between the wearer's skin and the face seal of the facepiece. A poor fit will significantly reduce the protection the RPE can provide you. Any reduction in protection can put your life in danger or may lead to immediate or long-term ill health.

Before using RPE, exposure should be controlled by other measures (such as local exhaust ventilation), which are reasonably practicable. In other words, RPE should only be used as a last choice of protection when working with hazardous substances such as gases, solvents, powered chemicals, mists and sprays or entering a confined space.

So, only use or provide RPE as a last line of choice for respiratory protection. Consider other control measures before deciding upon RPE.

Many of the gases, vapours and dusts that cause serious damage to lungs and other parts of the body can be invisible to the naked eye. RPE can help to protect you from these hazardous substances that can cause serious diseases.

The law requires employers to prevent or control the exposure of employees and others (eg subcontractors) to hazardous substances at work.

It is useful to check that you can put on your RPE correctly. Correct fitting of the facepiece at all times is vital to prevent exposure.

No, RPE used at work must be "CE" marked to confirm that they have been designed and tested to meet at least the minimum requirements laid out in law. CE marking on RPE does not make it automatically suitable for a task. Employers are legally responsible for selecting the right RPE for the task, substance, work environment and the wearer.