Respiratory Equipment
Respiratory protection equipment is the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) used to protect the individual wearer against the inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) indicates that respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays.
Many workers are required to wear respirators in various workplaces every day. The OSHA Respiratory Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, indicates that a respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee.
Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles, and air-purifying respirators with cartridges/canisters which filter out chemicals and gases. These respirators may only be worn when there is sufficient oxygen in the atmosphere, 19.5% to 23.5%, and never in conditions that are defined as IDLH, Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health. If there is insufficient oxygen in the atmosphere or the conditions in the atmosphere are IDLH you must use a respirator that protects you by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators in this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
LUC Guidelines for the Use of a Respirator
