Criteria for selecting respiratory equipment
All respirators are Category 3 devices according to the Personal Protective Equipment Directive: protection against major risks
They are designed and manufactured for:
- Protection against dust, fumes, liquid aerosols or gases and vapours
- To fully isolate the user from the ambient air and thereby offer protection against a wide range of contaminants
OXYGEN DEFICIENCY: RISK OF DEATH
- Oxygen plays a vital role in the respiratory system of a human being.
- It is the oxygen level in the immediate ambient air that will mainly determine the choice of respiratory equipment: self-contained or filtration.
EVALUATION OF EXPOSURE RISK
- Oxygen level
- Nature, form and effects of contaminants
- Knowledge of the levels of contamination present in the workplace and the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) set for those contaminants
- Consideration of other associated hazards (Explosive Atmosphere Risk)
- Duration of use of the respirator