RESPIRATORY HEALTH & AIR QUALITY
SELECTION TO PROTECTION: AN RPE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Ian Kelsall, RPE Technical Specialist at Draeger Safety UK, looks at the eight key steps to respiratory protective equipment success.
For many organisations, the provision of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for their employees is focused firmly on selecting the right mask; ensuring it meets relevant standards, that it offers the appropriate level of protection, and that it suits the task at hand.
However, in practice, this is only part of the story. The real and lasting effectiveness of RPE depends both on what is purchased and on what happens afterwards.
An RPE management programme encompasses all the activities required to ensure that RPE performs effectively in practice. It is not a single action, but a coordinated effort, from selection and training through to maintenance, storage, and disposal.
THE EIGHT KEY STEPS OF AN EFFECTIVE RPE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
1. Select: More than just specification
Selecting RPE requires more than choosing a compliant product. It must be both adequate – i.e. capable of protecting against the specific hazard – and suitable for the wearer, task, and environment.
This means understanding the nature and concentration of the hazards that are to be protected against, as well as practical considerations such as fit, comfort and compatibility with other personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, the task being undertaken and the working environment will affect the choice. Failure to consider suitability often leads to poor adoption, misuse, or even an individual not wearing the device.
Crucially, tight-fitting RPE must fit the individual wearer. Without fit testing and ongoing reassessment, even technically ‘adequate’ equipment can fail to protect the user.
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2. Train: Turning equipment into protection
Workers must understand not just how to wear and use equipment, but why it is needed, how it functions, what to do if it is not working correctly, and what its limitations are.
Effective training covers the full lifecycle of use, from the correct way to put on and fit check the RPE, through to cleaning, storage, and disposal. It should be delivered by competent individuals and reinforced regularly, not treated as a one-off.
Without proper training, bad habits can quickly develop, and once embedded, they can be extremely difficult to change, so suitable times to introduce RPE training include during a new employee’s induction period, when undertaking fit testing and when introducing new equipment.
3. Supervise: Maintaining standards in practice
Supervision ensures that procedures are followed correctly and consistently, acting as the bridge between policies and real-world behaviour and serving to catch any poor behaviours that may creep in over time.
Typically, the most effective supervision is often proactive and supportive rather than punitive, and by focusing on key moments throughout the working day, such as the beginning and end of shifts, organisations can monitor and reinforce critical behaviours, including the correct way to put on RPE, pre-use checks, and appropriate storage between tasks.
Organisations that foster a collective approach, where everyone feels responsible for standards, are far more likely to achieve sustained compliance.
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