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More than ready – Understanding respiratory products

Published Date

Understanding which respiratory products your workers need to help them get the job done safely.

Degree of assigned protection factor (APF) required by user

Standard respiratory hazards

 

Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

Disposable Respirator

Assigned Protection Factor
Up to 10
Typical Use Duration
Minutes to hours
Benefit
Convenience & maintenance-free

Reusable Half Face Respirator

Assigned Protection Factor
Up to 10
Typical Use Duration
Minutes to hours
Benefit
Low-cost solution for “normal” levels of protection from airborne hazards

Reusable Full Face Respirator

Assigned Protection Factor
Up to 50
Typical Use Duration
Minutes to hours
Benefit
Low-cost solution for “normal” levels of protection from airborne hazards

PAPR & Continuous Flow Supplied Air

Assigned Protection Factor
Up to 1,000
Typical Use Duration
Typically 2-12 hours per shift
Benefit
Integrated personal protection equipment system for comfort and effectiveness

SCBA & Pressure Demand Supplied Air

Assigned Protection Factor
Up to 10,000
Typical Use Duration
30-75 minutes
Benefit
Highest form of respiratory protection - the default solution for the unknown

When should workers use a pressure-demand SCBA?

Contaminant cannot be filtered or adsorbed

Unknown air quality

Airborne concentration unknown

Compressed air source not available

Reduce exposure as low as reasonably achievable

Unusual and/or non-repeating task = uncharacterized exposure

Exposure varies significantly during task

Environmentally friendly

Download the technical guide.

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