It is vital to remember that harmful things such as biological agents, gases, fumes and dust can get inside your business. Air pollution masks are specifically important for ensuring the overall workplace safety.

You should always have properly maintained and functional personally protected equipment such as respirators that will protect your employee’s lungs by blocking gases and harmful particles and keeping them away from dangerous substances and hazards. By clicking here, you can learn more about respirator regulations.

Importance of Respiratory Protection

Respirators are essential for ensuring the workers safety from airborne contaminants, while lowering the risks of getting lung problems that may happen. The main idea is to follow the regulation and safety rules from the area you reside.

Respiratory protection that works well can prevent asthma, lung diseases and other long-term issues that may happen after prolonged exposure to dangerous and harmful chemicals.

According to standards, you must adhere the rules for respirators that you wish to use. We are talking about specific requirements for filtering facepieces.

The best way to make workplace safe is by following regulations and rules. Each type of respirator comes with specific standards regarding filtering gases or particles. That way, you can ensure workers faith in the safety.

Different Types of Respirators

We can differentiate various respirators available on the market, which are specifically suited for workplace conditions and hazard levels. In further article, we will break down the most common options you can find on the market.

1.   Disposable Respirators

You can find filtering facepiece respirators or FFRs, which are another name for disposable options. We are talking about light masks that you can use only once. People tend to wear them in areas where you can find dangerous particles such as mists, smoke and dust. They go over the mouth and nose, and make tight seal. You can find various types of protections, such as:

• FFP1 – You will get low-level protection against non-toxic particles. That way, you can type up to eighty percent of airborne contaminants.
• FFP2 – It can filter out approximately ninety-four percent of airborne particles, which means you can use it for areas with low amounts of toxicity. In most cases, they are common in fields such as building and farming.
• FFP3 – You will get high-end defense by removing 99% of particles. When you are at high-risk areas with potential environmental dangers such as chemical factories, hospitals and labs, FFP3 are mandatory.

Enter this website: https://doccs.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2019/12/frm1236.pdf to learn more about using respirators.

2.   Reusable Half-Mask Respirators

Half-mask respirators are great option, because you can use them more than once to protect mouth and nose, while ensuring the ability to change filter system. That way, you can make cost-effective and long-lasting option that will offer you a peace of mind.

Since the filters can be changed without buying a new mask, they are highly popular in fields where people are often exposed to medium dangers. In most cases, respirators have P2 or P3 screens, meaning you can use them to protect against particle threats and gases. Painting, carpentry and small-scale industry are essential fields that use half-mask respirators.

3.   Full-Face Respirators

When it comes to full-face respirators, you will get a highest protection by covering the entire face, while sealing around mouth, nose and eyes. The type of respirator is essential when you are continually exposed to hazardous fumes, gases or fine particulates.

With it, you will get a complete coverage, which is essential factor in waste management, chemical processing and other fields where eye protection is needed as well. We can differentiate combined and gas filters. Full-face respirators use vapor filters and gas options that will help you prevent inhalation of hazardous gases.

Filters depend on various colors based on the type of gases they can filter. Brown is for organic gases, while yellow is for inorganic gases. Combined filters will address both particulates and gases, meaning you will get a comprehensive protection especially in hazardous environment.

4.   Powered Air-Purifying Respirators

You can take advantage of battery-powered fan moves air through a filter and into the face. They are most comfortable to wear for longer periods, while they function properly for people who have trouble breathing through other types of respirators.

They are commonly used in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, while you can use them in areas with a lot biological waste and toxins.

Final Word

Before you undergo training with Vest Med, you should consider a few factors that will help you purchase the desired respirator. Everything depends on hazard type, which directly dictates which respirator is the most suitable for the process.

Some environments such as confined space require specialized options that feature additional protection. Finally, it should fit comfortably while offering you tight seal for safety. Fit tests are perfect for confirming the seal, especially for full-face and half-face options.