SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Respiratory protective devices
(Reprinted courtesy Business Forum, Vol.12 No.4 May 2002)

This guidance note provides general advice for employers and employees on the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices.

Respiratory protective devices (RPDs), or respirators, are designed to prevent workers inhaling contaminated air.

They belong in two main categories:

• Air-purifying respirators: Designed to filter or clean contaminated air from the workplace before it is inhaled by the wearer and available as disposable respirators or non-disposable respirators with disposable filters.
• Air-supplied respirators: Designed to deliver clean, breathable air from an independent source to the wearer. Typically used for high-risk environments, such as oxygen-deficient atmospheres and confined spaces.

Personal protective equipment is the least effective means of controlling exposure to harmful substances.  While RPDs may be used as an immediate control measure, employers must try to eliminate or minimise airborne contamination in the workplace at the source. 

Where this is not possible or practicable, other control methods should be put in place, such as:

• Substitution: Can a less harmful substance be used, or can the substance be used in a less harmful form (e.g. pellets instead of powder)?
• Isolation: Can the process be isolated from the operator?
• Engineering controls: Can ventilation be installed or plant and machinery be modified to capture contaminants?
• Administrative controls: Can the time spent on the task be reduced?

Typical use

RPDs are typically needed for the following types of activities:

• irregular or short duration operations, such as inspections and maintenance;
• jobs where the location continually changes and so fixed engineering controls are not appropriate;
• where engineering controls have been installed but do not reduce the concentration of air contamination to safe levels; and
• For entry to confined spaces.

Problems with RPD use

Some workers rely on using smell as an indicator to determine when to change the filter on a respirator.  This practice is not encouraged because some gases do not have an odour and cannot be detected and some people are unable to detect contaminants by smell.  The contaminant may also be hazardous at a low concentration and worker may already be exposed to harmful levels by the time they smell something.

Choosing an RPD

The correct selection of RPD will depend on a number of factors, including the nature concentration of the airborne contaminants, the task/process being undertaken, and whether the employee is able to wear the RPD?

In many cases, consultation with manufacturers, importers and suppliers of chemicals (including reference to the Material Safety Data Sheet of the chemical used), as well as manufacturers and suppliers of the RPD, may provide suitable information on the correct type of respiratory protection required.

Documents such as Codes of Practice, Industry Standards and Guides may also be able to provide information on selecting respiratory protection.  Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1715 – 1994 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices provides comprehensive guidance on how to select the correct type of RPD.

When selecting RPD, ensure that the equipment meets an appropriate standard.  Look for Australian Standard markings (see AS/NZS 1716 – 1994 Respiratory protective devices), or equivalent, on the respirator or its container.

RPDs are manufactured as a system (e.g. face piece with filter, airlines etc).  Information should always be requested from the supplier confirming that the RPD purchased has been tested as a complete system and meets an appropriate standard. 

Do not modify any component of the RPD without the knowledge and consent of the manufacturer, as the safety specifications of the RPD system may become void.

Training employees

Employees need training on the need for, correct use of and maintenance of RPDs.  In particular, workers should be able to demonstrate that they can put on a respirator correctly and to check for leaks (known as a ‘fit check’).

Some record keeping may be required, depending on the RPD used and it’s purpose.  Records normally would not need to be kept for disposable respirators.

Employers should remember that under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 (OHS Act), employers must provide and maintain, as far as practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. 

The act also specifies duties applying to employees, and contractors and their employees.  Employees must cooperate with the employer where actions have been taken to comply with any legislative health and safety requirement.

Regulations, such as those for confined spaces, asbestos, lead and hazardous substances, also set out the requirements on how an employer must apply the risk control process before personal protective equipment, such as a RPD, is used.

For further information, contact your local WorkSafe Victoria office or visit: www.workcover.vic.gov.au

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