Facts About Respirators

First things first, respirators are primarily used to protect individuals – especially workers – from any air contaminants especially if there are no other possible or practical methods available to control them.

Contaminants in the air that contribute as a hazard to one’s respiratory health include mists, dusts, gases, fumes as well as atmospheres that are deficient in oxygen.

One way to control such situations is by designing a well maintained ventilation system, appropriate use of equipments for processing, the substitution of materials that are less hazardous.

Also, well controlled administrative procedures that are properly in place help limit the possible exposure of workers in areas that are contaminated. Components of an authentic respiratory program include the following: assessment of exposure, a program for training, keeping records and inspection, appropriate respirator storage, surveillance of health, evaluation of the respirator program. Part of a comprehensive respiratory program are physicians that are able to examine the fitness – both psychological and medical – of the workers. It is important that workers are fit physically while working, this while they are wearing respiratory gears.
Such equipments when worn should also be comfortable.

It is important that workers with sideburns that are long, or those who have beards or hair stubbles not wear any respiratory gears since such facial hairs could cause breakage on the seal in between the mask and the skin. There are basically two kinds of respirators. One is a respirator that purifies the air, while another is a respirator that is supplied with air.

The first basically removes any contaminants on the air that is breathed via its filtering of any dust, mists or metal fume particulates.

Meanwhile, the air respirators that are supplied clean the air using an air tank that is compressed.

All in all, respirators do well in keeping the air clean and breathable.