A Brief Guide to Respiratory Protection in the Workplace

Importance

PPE for respiratory protection is crucial in many workplaces to safeguard employees from harmful airborne contaminants that can cause serious health issues. As per the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the UK Health Safety Executive, millions of workers are required to wear respirators in various industries to protect against harmful smoke, mist, gasses, dust, sprays, and environments where air quality is bad. These hazards may cause cancer, lung diseases, or death.

This is backed by the American Lung Association, who reports that that occupational respiratory diseases are among the leading work-related illnesses in the US. These diseases can develop over time, sometimes even manifesting long after exposure. By implementing effective respiratory protection programs, employers can prevent or minimize the occurrence of chronic respiratory conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis, and occupational asthma, which can have devastating effects on workers’ quality of life and productivity.

Industries Most at Risk for Respiratory Illness

While all industries have a risk for breeding respiratory illnesses among employees, some are more likely to experience it at a higher degree than others. This is due to the nature of their work environments and exposure to various airborne hazards that workers may have to handle on the daily.

Some of the industries most at risk for respiratory illness include the following:

1. Mining: Miners are exposed to dust, particulates, and potentially harmful gases, putting them at risk for conditions like silicosis and pneumoconiosis.
2. Construction and Manufacturing: Workers in these industries face exposure to dust, silica, asbestos, and other airborne particles that can come from handling chemicals, paints and coats, and heavy equipment, increasing their risk of respiratory issues.
3. Healthcare: Healthcare workers are exposed to infectious agents and may be at risk for respiratory infections, including tuberculosis and other airborne diseases.
4. Agriculture: Workers in the agricultural industry can be exposed to dust, pesticides, and organic materials that can cause respiratory problems like farmer’s lung.
5. Welding and Metalworking: Those regularly working with metals and welding are at risk due to exposure to metal fumes and gases.
6. Textile Industry: Workers in this industry are often exposed to cotton dust and other fibers, potentially leading to conditions like byssinosis.
7. Chemical Processing: Exposure to various chemicals and fumes puts workers at risk for respiratory illnesses.
8. Firefighting: Firefighters are directly exposed to smoke and other harmful substances during their work, increasing their risk of respiratory problems.
9. Waste Management and Recycling: Exposure to dust, mold, and other airborne contaminants present in different types of wastes and during the disposal process can pose respiratory risks.
10. Oil and Gas Extraction: Workers in this industry may be exposed to harmful gases and particulates.

Examples of Respiratory Protection Equipment

Different industries have different respiratory risks to consider. Here are examples of respiratory protection equipment and the industries where they are commonly used:

1. Disposable Respirators or Face Masks (such as N95, FFP2, FFP3): Used across all industries, these act as the first line of defense to different respiratory risks.
2. Half-Face Respirators: More well-known across industries that deal with paint, chemicals, and wood, these the nose and mouth and can be fitted with different cartridges for specific contaminants.
3. Full-Face Respirators: Providing protection for nose, mouth, and eyes, this type of respirator is a staple for those working in chemical manufacturing, hazardous waste management, pharmaceutical production, and other industries where hazards can reach the eyes.
4. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs): Mostly used during infectious disease outbreaks within the healthcare industry, these are also used in agricultural settings, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and nuclear facilities to filter air before it reaches the worker’s respiratory system.
5. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Providing wearers clean air from a portable tank carried by workers, this is essential for workers in environments where oxygen is low, used by firefighters, emergency response teams, and workers in confined spaces.
6. Welding Respirators: Used in industries where different items need to be welded together is common, such as metalworking, these are specially designed to protect against metal fumes and gases associated with welding.
7. Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs): Similar to SCBAs, these provide clear air to workers—usually in the manufacturing industry—but from an external source away from them.

How to Keep Respiratory Protection Equipment in Good Condition

Respiratory protection need to be properly maintained to ensure they perform as intended and ensure the safety of workers. To maintain respiratory protection equipment in good condition, follow these key practices:

Inspect for Defects

Regularly inspect the respirator for any signs of damage or wear. With the help of a digital checklist that can be accessed on any device and location, you can easily identify issues and note them for replacement, repair, or disposal. Other things a dedicated respiratory protection and inspection checklist can help with are the following:

• Checking the face piece for cracks, tears, dirt, or distortion, and if applicable, ensure lenses are not cracked or scratched.
• Examining head straps and harnesses for breaks, loss of elasticity, or malfunctioning buckles.
• Inspecting the exhalation valve for foreign material, cracks, or improper installation.

Clean Equipment Regularly

Regularly clean and sanitize respiratory protection before and after use to ensure safe usage. When doing so, make sure to disassemble the face piece, remove components like speaking diaphragms and valves, and wash them in warm water with mild detergent. After, hand-dry or air-dry components in a clean, contamination-free area before reassembling and storing. These tasks can also be streamlined with a digital checklist for a smoother cleaning and storing process.

Store Equipment in the Right Place

Once respiratory protection equipment have been cleaned, they have to be stored in the right places. Store respirators in sealed plastic bags or containers to protect them from dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, moisture, and chemicals. Ensure the face piece and exhalation valve rest in a normal position to maintain functionality.

With a digital asset management system, you can easily keep track of where your respiratory protection gear are, and manage their usage from a centralized location. Doing so also helps manage the maintenance of masks and respirators. Alongside digital checklists, this helps users keep inventory of their respiratory protection equipment.