Respiratory Protective Equipment for the Workplace

Some work processes can involve using harmful substances, fumes and chemicals – by breathing in these substances you can put yourself and the people around you at risk!

Respiratory protective equipment is used to protect workers from these substances that could be potentially hazardous, such as…

Gases
Sprays
Solvents
Dusts

Wearing the correct equipment can include a range of things, including…

Visors
Hoods
Masks
Helmets

When it comes to using protective equipment such as respiratory masks, they should not be the only protection you use to stay safe in the workplace. However, wearing RPE is a good temporary precaution to take before you get the proper protection.

Always remember that your respiratory protective equipment should be the correct type for the task and environment as well as fit you correctly to insure maximum protection.

Subjecting yourself to a work environment that is potentially hazardous for your health can result in a number of issues, including respiratory diseases, asthma, cancers as well as diseases in the airways and bronchitis.

Looking for the correct safety PPE for the job at a price you can afford? L&A Safety offers a range of PPE, including respiratory equipment – contact us today on 021 552 0665 or email tish@landasafety.co.za otherwise pop into a store in Cape Town, Robertson or Vredenburg.

Respiratory Equipment to Protect against Common Breathing Hazards

Breathing in any hazardous substances when you are at work can put your health at serious risk and can even cause diseases and conditions such as asthma, COPD and cancer!

This is why if you are working in an environment that has a variety of chemicals including substances that create fumes, dust and other substances you need to always wear respiratory protective equipment. L&A Safety offers high quality PPE that won’t put a hole in your pocket – order online from www.landasafety.co.za or call 021 552 0665

Some of the most common breathing hazards can come from situations such as…

- Dust exposure from grinding or sanding an object

- Mixing or pouring chemicals

- Using certain chemicals

- Wearing the wrong kind of respiratory protection equipment

- Not managing and cleaning surfaces that are contaminated

You or your employees should be alert and especially vigilant and ensure that the right steps are taken if you work with or around…

- Solder flux

- Glues and resins

- Laboratories

- Chemicals in hairdressing

- Spray paints, etc.

- Wood, flour and grain dust

Respiratory protective equipment comes in many different forms, including visors, hoods, masks, helmets, etc. Any equipment that you have to wear while working should be the correct type for the task, size and fit as well as the substance and the working environment.

You can use the L&A Safety website to take a look at the various types of equipment and determine what kind you or your employees need.

Why is Respiratory Protection important in Construction?

Respiratory protection is an important part of Personal Protective Equipment in Construction Work.

In any field of construction work it is of vital importance that all employees wear the appropriate task specific PPE, respiratory protective equipment is one of the most important pieces of PPE. Whether the employee is only using hand or power tools there is still a variety of industrial sprays, dust, fumes and particulate materials, amongst other respiratory hazards on the work site.

So it is not only necessary for the sake of health consciousness to protect yourself and your workers against respiratory hazards, but it is also an obligation due to the legal Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Looking for a wide range of safety equipment and high quality of PPE? Why not stop by one of L&A Safety's branches in Milnerton, Robertson or Vredenburg and place your order today!

There are gases, dusts, and toxic fumes present at every construction worksite that can make you very ill and some may even cause eventual death, some respiratory hazards such as carbon monoxide can make you unconscious or even kill you within minutes, other hazards such as asbestos can take years before they make you sick and can cause lung cancer.

There are methods such as engineering controls, for example good ventilation methods in an enclosed area, work practice controls such as using alternative cutting and grinding techniques, and administrative techniques where only the necessary workers who are performing a task are in the hazardous areas.

In most cases a simple dust mask will suffice but depending on the type of work and the hazardous materials other methods such as a full mask with a visor, a welding helmet, or a respirator may be required.

Respirators and respiratory protective equipment needs to be well maintained and kept clean, and any damaged equipment must be discarded of and replaced immediately.

Respiratory protection can save a life, hazards in the workplace may not seem as serious to you but regular exposure to certain materials and particles can lead to chronic illnesses and can cause drastic damage to your lungs. In some cases as with extreme hazardous materials, a few short exposures can cause death.

So remember in any workplace it is not only law but of utmost importance for your and the health and safety of your employees to always wear the task specific personal protective equipment and always to follow the Written safe Work procedures and Risk assessments step by step. Take care of your own personal safety first and then that of your fellow workers.

Asbestos Mask Protection – Myth Busted!

You’ve heard that asbestos is very dangerous, and it definitely is! You may think that you can get protection from asbestos by wearing a mask, well that is a dangerous untruth and one that could cause you serious health consequences.

Asbestos is nothing to trifle with and most masks are not actually going to protect you from the deadly fibre. If you are working with or near asbestos in your home, office or on a construction site, a mask isn’t enough to keep you safe from asbestos.

Myth – Asbestos isn’t dangerous if you wear a mask

   o   A basic face mask that you can buy at a home improvement store will offer very little or no protection from asbestos fibres. Asbestos dust and fibres can easily get around the edges of these types of masks and can be inhaled which puts your health at risk.

   o   To safely work around asbestos, you need a half-face respirator that completely shields your nose and mouth and seals tightly against your skin. A properly fitted respirator will purify the air you breathe and block asbestos fibres from entering your nose or mouth.

   o   Even a high quality respirator-type mask must be worn properly to ensure you’re protected. Facial hair can break the seal and allow asbestos fibres in. so, for a proper fit, you need to be clean shaven.

   o   A high quality respirator-type mask alone is not enough to protect you from asbestos if you are in an area where asbestos has been disturbed by removal efforts, construction, renovation, flood or fire. In addition to the mask you must wear head to toe disposable protective gear including a hat, gloves and shoe covers. These must then be misted with water and removed while the respirator is still on, placed in asbestos waste bags and then the mask can be removed. A thorough shower afterwards is also recommended.

   o   Asbestos fibre can cling to your clothing, skin, shoes or hair. If you are not coated entirely in protective gear when exposed to asbestos, not only are you putting your health at risk, but your family’s as well. Second hand exposure can be just as dangerous!

Wearing all the right personal protective equipment is essential to protecting your health when working with asbestos – make sure you protect yourself and your family.

For a wide variety of PPE at an affordable price, visit L&A Safety at one of their branches or call us today! Choose anything from ear protection and boiler suits to respirator masks!