INDUSTRY INSIGHT
The importance of inclusivity in respiratory protection
Ian Kelsall, technical specialist, respiratory protection equipment (RPE), Draeger Safety UK discusses the practical realities of supplying appropriate respiratory protective equipment for employees operating in the construction industry which often include building services engineers
P
roviding RPE is a well-recognised and generally well-understood requirement for employers. However, supplying properly fitting RPE—such as Filtering Face Pieces (FFPs) and half or full-face
masks that require a tight facial seal—can be a significantly more complex task when ensuring effective protection for each individual against airborne hazards. After all other measures to control the risk of exposure to respiratory hazards (such as engineering controls) have been exhausted, employers are not only legally required to provide RPE, but they also have a legal obligation to carry out fit testing for all workers who are issued with tight-fitting respirators. This can frequently be where problems arise, particularly in light of the growing diversity of workforces leading to greater demand for protective equipment better suited according to gender, age, ethnicity and religion. As a result, those specifying RPE are facing challenges in selecting respiratory equipment that is suitable for each individual worker’s specific requirements. Historically, respirator mask design has been based on standardised adult head shape profiles, using a model developed in the 1960s. This provided very little accommodation for those who fell outside of these specifications, creating a problem given the fact that facial dimensions vary significantly between genders, ethnicities and with age, as well on an individual basis. Today, in the UK, British Standards Institution (BSI) standards are based on the 50th percentile of four dimensions (face length, face width, face depth and mouth width), originally of the adult white male face shape, but recently a more ethnically diverse sample group has been used. This is critical, as an increasingly diverse workforce is leading to greater demand for RPE that better accommodates different head and face size and shape as well as individual specifics such as facial hair.
Respiratory hazards in construction
There is a wide variety of respiratory hazards associated with construction sites. Cutting or drilling and sanding concrete or stone or demolition work can lead to the release of hazardous crystalline silica particles. Similarly, woodwork and joinery can generate fine wood dust particles which may also contain spores produced by bacteria, fungi or moss. Where employees are working with metals, welding, soldering and cutting can result in the
release of hazardous fumes containing toxic substances, plus painted or coated surfaces can also introduce airborne particles into the environment. And tasks involving paint, solvents or cleaning agents can lead to the release hazardous gases and vapours. In fact, many common tasks undertaken
across construction sites can create airborne contaminants that pose significant risks, even a simple task like sweeping a site can lead to harmful construction dusts being disturbed and create health hazard. Often, several tasks are being undertaken at the same time, leading to workers exposed to a number of different hazards in one particular environment. Unfortunately, due to the dynamic nature of the industry and sometimes limited use of engineering controls, construction workers are regularly exposed to these hazards and have a high risk of developing life changing diseases. Respiratory hazards on construction sites can lead to irreversible harm, resulting in serious health issues including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), silicosis and cancer. These diseases can cause permanent disability or even death.
Adequate and suitable?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that there are two key considerations which are essential when specifying respiratory protection
equipment. The first (which is usually given greater focus) is the question ‘Is the equipment adequate?’ In other words, is it appropriate for the type of hazard and does it reduce exposure to the levels needed to protect the health of the worker? The second question is equally important to ask, yet often given less focus: ‘Is the equipment suitable?’ That is, is it appropriate for the wearer, the task and the environment? This can be more challenging as it includes the suitability for an individual, which of course includes – crucially – the fit.
Fit is clearly an essential component to ensure safety across construction environments, but the importance of fit goes beyond having a tight fit creating a seal to the face which is essential to ensure protection from hazardous substances entering around the sides of the mask. Poor fit can also lead to poor compliance, as badly fitting respiratory equipment will often be uncomfortable, or the mask simply ‘won’t feel right’ and therefore workers may wear the RPE incorrectly, or not at all.
When it comes to the fit of a mask, design plays a crucial role and is key to creating RPE that meets the changing requirements of today’s diverse workforce. By understanding the needs of different workers, designers can create RPE that is both functional and comfortable (i.e., adequate and suitable). It is therefore important to consider factors such as fit, comfort and breathability of the mask, as well as the specific hazards that workers may face.
8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2025
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