subject: Respiratory Protection at your Workplace [print this page] Respiratory Protection at your Workplace Respiratory Protection at your Workplace
Respiratory protection measures are a requirement of any workplace with various airborne contaminants to effectively reduce adverse health effects in workers exposed to these environmental conditions. In certain circumstances there is no possibility of less-toxic chemical exposure or proper ventilation, in these work environments employees rely on the use of respiratory protection.
Your workplace may be exposed to several harmful airborne toxins which can seriously affect your health. The most effective way to prevent such health hazards is to use a respirator which helps to eliminate any harmful gases, vapors or any airborne contaminants that could enter your lungs while working. The nature of the work being performed plays a vital role in deciding the type of respiratory protection system you should use when on the job.
According to the nature of the work, a half mask air-purifying respirator or a full face piece supplied air respirator can be selected. Respirator filters and respirator cartridges are often used with air-purifying respirators. A disposable mask, such as a N95 dust mask can be preferred for comfortable lightweight protection from particulates alone.
Whenever respirators are used on the job or in the workplace, employers should focus on respiratory protection training steps. Workplace respiratory protection training and fit testing when using SAR and APR respirators is necessary to ensure proper safety standards. For maximum respiratory protection and to minimize breathing troubles, half mask respirators or full mask respirators must be checked, fit testing is mandatory for such face pieces to ensure maximum protection for workers. Comprehensive and effective respiratory protection training must be provided to the workers by the employer prior to the use of such protective devices. Reduction of worker exposure to harmful environments and hazardous contaminants is part of maintaining OSHA compliance and a healthy workplace.
