Safety in the Plant


displaying either cracks or tears should not be used. For both half-face and full-face masks, a variety of spares are available and employers would be well advised to maintain a stock of spares for each product type used on site to allow any repairs to be undertaken immediately thus avoiding costly employee downtime. The lifetime of lenses can also be prolonged through the use of peel-off lens covers.


Correct filters Once the user has satisfied himself or herself on all these points, and the correct filters – either gas or particulate – are attached, the product can safely be worn. “One issue which can significantly impact on the protection


offered by reusable respirators is what happens to them when they are removed mid-shift, for example for lunch or a comfort break, and when the user returns and put them on again. Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for the user to remove the product while still in the hazardous area. This is dangerous enough in itself but the problem is exacerbated if the respirator is then left in the area where harmful contamination can settle on the interior of the product, meaning the next time it is worn, the user is breathing potentially highly toxic air. Employees should be instructed, therefore, to always don the respirator before entering the affected area and not to remove it until they are well clear,” notes the company. After use, reusable respirators should be cleaned and, if


required, disinfected. The user instructions with the product will contain the cleaning and disinfection requirements. Masks are generally cleaned with a specialist, disposable cleaning wipe or by immersion in a cleaning solution. A soft brush can be used if scrubbing is required. After washing, the product should be rinsed in fresh, warm water and air dried in a non-contaminated atmosphere. Respirators are also sometimes cleaned in a washer. Once dry, masks should be stored away from contaminants


in a clean area, with full face masks stored face-up to reduce the risk of scratches to the lens.


Risk assessment Given variations in usage levels and also in the quantity of gas and particulates being filtered, it is difficult to be prescriptive about the intervals at which the filters should be changed, although a thorough risk assessment will give some indication. As a rule, particulate filters can be used until the user notices they are becoming harder to breathe through, while gas and vapour filters should be replaced before they become saturated, or as a last resort, when the user notices a smell or taste of gas, which indicates that the carbon contained within the filter is saturated. For this reason gas and vapour filters should be used only to guard against gases and vapours with good warning properties. When it comes to record-keeping, all reusable respiratory


protective equipment (RPE) is subject to the maintenance requirements of the relevant EU legislation, for example the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH) in the UK. Records of monthly maintenance and testing must be kept for at least five years and must be able to be produced on demand for a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspection. Record cards are available from a number of sources


including respirator manufacturers. A monthly check should be


made of the face seal, nose cup, straps, valves and gaskets, and visor, with details noted on the record card. Maintaining good practice in the area of record-keeping, as


well as adopting a strict regime of pre and post-use checking, cleaning, maintenance and storage, will help to ensure that employees remain safe and that legal requirements are satisfied. In terms of its own latest developments, 3M has launched


the 7500 Series reusable respirators. These half masks combine unrivalled levels of wearer comfort with fully replaceable parts for maximum durability and quality. They are available in three sizes, use all of 3M’s 2000, 5000 and 6000 series filters, use a 3M Cool Flow valve for easier breathing and reduced heat and moisture build-up, and come with a novel head harness and yoke design for greater stability and more comfort. New from Scott Health and Safety is the ELSA escape


respirator, an emergency breathing device providing five, 10, or 15 minutes of escape from toxic environments. Also available is a high flow five-minute unit with a nominal airflow of 68 l/min which is ideal for escape where breathing rates may be stressed. ELSA is designed for comfort as well as simplicity of use and can be worn by those who wear glasses or have beards. Other benefits include: a rechargeable aluminium cylinder; a pressure gauge on the cylinder valve to verify cylinder pressure at a glance; an elastomeric neck seal allows for easy donning, proper neck fit and repeated usage; clear polyurethane hood provides 360° visibility; and a detachable hood for cleaning. A related product, the Speed Evac escape respirator is a


mouth bit respirator that provides the wearer with a timely escape from toxic non-IDLH levels of ammonia or acid gases including chlorine, chlorine dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide or hydrogen chloride. Speed Evac is disposable, requiring no cleaning or maintenance. It is unaffected by facial hair and requires minimal training for use. The Ska-Pak Plus supplied air respirator features a


streamlined profile for entry into or escape from hazardous confined spaces or toxic IDLH situations. An environment resistant nylon harness, or a heat resistant Kevlar harness are options. Also available is a full body fall protection harness. Ska- Pak Plus is offered with a complete range of cylinder types and pressures.


Fan-assisted helmet Meanwhile, Sundstrom says it is the first manufacturer to launch a fan-assisted helmet with a TH3 class visor. This can be combined with respiratory protection that affords the best possible comfort and the highest level of protection. The SR 580 can also be used together with compressed air attachment SR 507 in environments where there is potential for exposure to contaminants that have poor warning characteristics. The SR 580 provides complete protection when respiration, face and head protection is required. Sundstrom says it can be combined with a majority of ear defenders, while a polycarbonate visor gives a large field of view and is simple to replace. Also new from Sundstrom is the SR 90-3 half mask, an


upgrade of its SR 90-2 model. This mask comes with improved comfort and new exhalation valves which ensure very low exhalation resistance (Fig. 1). The valve covers have partitions that effectively protect the exhalation membrane from dusts and mists. The SR 90-3 is a thermo plastic elastomer mask and comes in sizes, S/M and M/L. ❒


www.engineerlive.com 29


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36