Selection of Products
Selecting and specifying the appropriate respiratory equipment for most people will be a difficult decision. There are multiple factors to consider, as the equipment not only needs to provide the appropriate protection for the job, but must also be comfortable enough for the individual worker to wear during the whole period of the exposure.
Selection of Respiratory Protection - 4 Step Method
- Identify the hazard - dust, mist, fumes, metal fumes, gas, vapour etc.
- Asses the risk - asses the hazard levels against safety standards and consider any other protection, skin and eye etc.
- Select the correct respirator for the required exposure.
- Training in fitting and use - to optimise the respiratory protection
Protection Factors
When correctly used by a wearer who has passed a face fit test, an FFP1 respirator should reduce the exposure to airborne particles by a factor of 4, an FFP2 by a factor of 10 and an FFP3 by a factor of 20.
Applications
FFP1 - Low levels of fine dust (up to 4 times Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL)), oil and water based mists typically found during hand sanding, drilling and cutting.
FFP2 - Moderate levels of fine dust (up to 10 times WEL), oil and water based mists typically found during plastering, cement, sanding and wood dust.
FFP3 - Higher levels of fine dust (up to 20 times WEL), oil and water based mists typically found when handling hazardous powders found in pharmaceutical industry or when working with biological agents and fibres.
