A Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
What is RPE?
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), used to protect the individual wearer against inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. RPE should only be used where adequate control of exposure cannot be achieved by other means, in other words, as a last resort on the hierarchy of control measures. Employers are required to firstly attempt to eliminate the hazard at source. RPE should only be used after all other reasonably practicable control measures have been taken. PPE is considered a last resort because it only protects individual workers, is prone to failure or misuse, such as wearing the wrong RPE for the job, and employees wearing RPE may get a false sense of security when using RPE.
Which type of respiratory protection should I use?
Reusable Respirators
These products provide a comfortable, secure fit and are a cost effective solution for regular use applications. With the option of providing gas and vapour, particulate or combined protection in either a half mask or a full face mask with integrated eye and face protection.
Powered Respirators and Supplied Air Products
Ideal for longer duration applications, these respirators offer the flexibility to provide protection in a broad range of industrial applications. Increased wearer comfort, higher protection levels and lower running costs make these products a very effective and efficient form of repiratory protection.
Disposable Masks
Offering protection from particular hazards, disposable masks are a convenient, easy-to-use, maintenance-free option ideally suited to relatively short-duration applications.
Which type of filter do I require?
Choosing the correct filter type is a critical aspect in the RPE selection process. Use of the incorrect filter such as a particulate filter for protection against vapours will result in no protection being given and the equipment will be completely ineffective. There are 3 main filter types:
The Health & Safety Authority have produced 'A Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment', which is a very helpful tool to use when chosing the correct RPE.
If you need any help with your RPE selection we would be only too happy to help - contact us
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), used to protect the individual wearer against inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. RPE should only be used where adequate control of exposure cannot be achieved by other means, in other words, as a last resort on the hierarchy of control measures. Employers are required to firstly attempt to eliminate the hazard at source. RPE should only be used after all other reasonably practicable control measures have been taken. PPE is considered a last resort because it only protects individual workers, is prone to failure or misuse, such as wearing the wrong RPE for the job, and employees wearing RPE may get a false sense of security when using RPE.
Which type of respiratory protection should I use?
Reusable Respirators
These products provide a comfortable, secure fit and are a cost effective solution for regular use applications. With the option of providing gas and vapour, particulate or combined protection in either a half mask or a full face mask with integrated eye and face protection.
Powered Respirators and Supplied Air Products
Ideal for longer duration applications, these respirators offer the flexibility to provide protection in a broad range of industrial applications. Increased wearer comfort, higher protection levels and lower running costs make these products a very effective and efficient form of repiratory protection.
Disposable Masks
Offering protection from particular hazards, disposable masks are a convenient, easy-to-use, maintenance-free option ideally suited to relatively short-duration applications.
Which type of filter do I require?
Choosing the correct filter type is a critical aspect in the RPE selection process. Use of the incorrect filter such as a particulate filter for protection against vapours will result in no protection being given and the equipment will be completely ineffective. There are 3 main filter types:
- Particle filter (P sign and filtration efficiency
- Gas/vapour filter
- Combined filters (for particles, gases & vapours)
The Health & Safety Authority have produced 'A Guide to Respiratory Protective Equipment', which is a very helpful tool to use when chosing the correct RPE.
If you need any help with your RPE selection we would be only too happy to help - contact us