What are the totally different types of respirators available?
Thousands and thousands of people all over the world wear totally different types of respirators to filter the air they breathe and protecting their lungs. In closely populated areas, pollution is a concern. Some work applications require respiratory protection by law. Even at home, folks wear filtering face-items to protect their lungs from allergies, frequent illness just like the cold or other health reasons. Relying on the application, specific types of filtering protection shall be required. Lets take a closer have a look at the different types of Respirators and their purpose.
OSHA, the governing agency created to protect workers safety, requires workers wear respiratory protection anytime air quality situations are hazardous. A part of a proper respiratory safety program consists of figuring out the potential hazards within the work environment. A risk evaluation should be made to find out if respiratory protection is required. Training and training will follow which consists of the proper use, maintenance and fitting of those respirator devices. All respirators have to be approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The appropriate markings should be displayed on the respiratory device. NIOSH creates efficiency guidelines for the totally different types of respiratory units and OSHA enforces them.
Beneath is a basic list of the completely different types of respirators commonly used in by consumers and workdrive alike:
Single Strap Masks – These are usually not officially considered respirators and never approved by NIOSH. They are categorised as “Comfort Masks” because they aren’t rated to protect you. These are disposable.
Approved filtering Mud Masks – These are NIOSH approved and display the approval markings. They’re designed for particles, some mists and even some fumes depending on the type of approved dust mask. These are disposable.
Half-face masks – These usually include some type of respirator cartridge filtering system that is designed to protect the worker from specific types of contaminants ranging from acid, gas fumes or other chemicals. Particulate media or cartridges will also be used with many of these masks to protect against numerous types of particles. Some half-masks respirators are disposable but many of the face-pieces are reusable and supply substituteable cartridges. These types of face-pieces require maintenance.
Full-face masks – The whole face is protected from the contaminants. Filtering cartridges are usually used to protect the worker from acids, gas fumes or chemical compounds which might be hazardous. The cartridge systems are sometimes just like half-mask respirators. These types of face-pieces require maintenance.
Powered Air Purifying Systems – These blow filtered air into a hood or helmet system and the positive pressure blows out the openings below the face. The filtering system is worn by the user.
Self contained Supplied Air – These systems provide air by way of tanks worn by the user. Commonly seen worn by firemales, these are designed to supply life saving air because the surroundings lacks the mandatory air to breathe safely.