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RESPIRATORY HEALTH ASKING THE QUESTIONS: RPE


SOCOTEC answers the commonly asked questions about respiratory protective equipment to help businesses understand their complexity.


While respiratory protective equipment (RPE) tends to be implemented as the last line of protection, given the current circumstances we find ourselves in, it is even more important to ensure that your workforce is adequately protected when coming into contact with hazardous substances.


Scientific evidence indicates that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets, with the level of transmission risk increasing when an individual is in close contact (less than two metres) to someone who may be hosting the virus.


Protecting your workforce from harmful airborne contaminants is absolutely essential, particularly in cases of workplace activity where adhering to social distancing guidelines at all times is physically impossible.


WHAT IS RPE? RPE is designed to protect the wearer from a variety of


airborne hazards, including dust, vapours, gas, fumes and mist. RPE can be categorised into two types:


Respirators (also known as filtering devices), which use filters to remove contaminants from the air being breathed in. These can be broken down further into:


• Non-powered respirators – which rely on the wearer’s breathing to draw air through the filter.


• Powered respirators – which use a motor to pass air through the filter to give a supply of clean air.


Breathing apparatus, which need a supply of breathing-quality air from an independent source to function properly (such as an air cylinder or an air compressor).


CAN RPE BE REUSED? RPE is available in both reusable and non-reusable


forms, with each offering a varying level of protection. Reusable RPE is available as a half mask and full face mask, and in order to be safe for reuse, the face pieces should be subject to regular cleaning, maintenance and visual checks before and after wear. Any tears, cracks or distortions should be reported and dealt with, while damaged parts should be replaced as required. Records of inspection and maintenance must be kept for respirators which are reused for more than one month.


WHEN SHOULD A SINGLE USE MASK OR


REUSABLE HALF MASK BE USED? Single use respirators (also known as particulate respirators), dust masks and paper masks protect against such particles as dust, bacteria, mists and some fumes, but do not protect against gases or vapours. They are available in three classes: FFP1, FFP2


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and FFP3. These have varying Assigned Protection Factors (APF), with the lowest being FFP1 = 4, FFP2 = 10 and the highest being FFP3 = 20.


Reusable half masks will protect against dust, bacteria, mists and fumes, as well as gases and vapours, provided that the correct filters have been fitted for the required task. These are either P1, P2 or P3 for protection against particulates, or Gas, FF Gas or FM Gas for protection against gases and vapours. The same APF is provided by both reusable masks and half masks, the lowest being FFP1 = 4, FFP2 = 10 and the highest being FFP3 = 20.


WHAT IS FACE FIT AND WHO NEEDS FACE FIT


TESTING? While generally categorised into powered and non- powered respirators, RPE can be further broken down into tight-fitting and loose-fitting face pieces. Tight- fitting face pieces – such as an FFP3 and a reusable half mask – need a good level of contact between the seal and the skin in order to adequately protect the wearer. Therefore, anyone who must wear tight-fitting RPE at work is legally required to have a face fit test.


A face fit test will discern whether the model fits the wearer’s face shape and size. RPE is far less effective if it is not worn and fitted properly, as the seal and filtration will be unable to fully protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances. As a result, the face fit test must be carried out before RPE is worn for the first time to ensure that the wearer is adequately protected against harmful airborne contaminants.


Additional face fit testing should only be carried out when there is a change to RPE size, type, material or model, or when there has been a change of circumstance for the wearer, such as weight loss/gain, facial changes, facial piercings or dental work.


WHAT PERCENTAGE OF FACE FIT IS NOT FITTED


PROPERLY? According to the British Occupational Hygiene Society, at least 55% of non-face fit tested wearers are not adequately protected, and for every construction worker who dies from a safety related accident, 100 will die from exposure to hazardous substances.


DO YOU NEED TO BE CLEAN SHAVEN FOR A


FACE FIT TEST? Wearers of RPE need to be clean shaven around the face to achieve an effective fit and adequate protection, as beards and stubble will stop the seal from working to its full capacity and create large enough gaps for particulates to pass through.


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