Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Protection Explored

Making sure that you get clean air for your workforce is really a requirement in any industrial setting, which is where respirator protection really comes into its own.

As airborne contaminants, from fine dust and mists to harmful gases and vapours, really do pose a significant threat to you and your employees' long-term health, leading to a range of respiratory illnesses.

As a result, here at MSC Direct, we understand the importance of you being able to provide the right respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

To that end, we will help to walk you through some of the essentials of respiratory protection that you need to know and to help inform you on how to select the appropriate PPE equipment for your needs, understand the UK standards here, and help you to understand more what you need to become compliant in your daily operations.

So let’s make your workplace safer, comfier, and more protected — because a healthy body is the best tool you’ve got.

Then, if you are still not sure in any way, our helpful customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you may have before you buy as well.

What Are Hearing Protection Products?

Definition: Respiratory Protection is any type of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the person wearing it from breathing in harmful substances in the air.

This includes protection against things such as dust, fumes, gases, and vapours, and it also covers equipment used when there isn't enough oxygen to breathe safely, for example, in a confined space.

Essentially, it's a last line of defence used to keep you and your workforce from inhaling anything that could damage your lungs or harm your health.

As a result, this equipment will tend to range from simple disposable masks to full breathing apparatus with its own air supply and more depending on what you need for your specific application.

Understanding the Risks and Your Responsibilities

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mandates in the UK that employers protect their employees from respiratory hazards under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

This will then involve you conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify the specific airborne contaminants in your specific workplace and their concentration levels, as there is never a one-size-fits-all approach here, and this needs to be done before buying the products you need to make sure the ones you buy are fit for purpose as required.

The hierarchy of control should always be applied as well, with RPE being the last line of defence here after your other measures to eliminate or control the hazard at its source have been exhausted.

As a result, some common respiratory hazards in the workplace will include:

Particulates

These can be from dust, fumes, mists, and fibres from activities like grinding, welding, cutting, and handling of fine powders.

Gases and Vapours

Here, these can come from numerous sources, such as solvents, paints, cleaning agents, and chemical by-products.

Oxygen-deficient Atmospheres

These come from confined spaces where oxygen levels may be dangerously low.

Understanding Your Legal Obligations: Key UK Regulations and Standards

In the United Kingdom, the use of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is governed by some very stringent health and safety legislation to ensure workers are adequately protected from airborne hazards.

As an employer, understanding these legal obligations is not just a matter of compliance but a fundamental part of maintaining a safe working environment.

This section is thus designed to introduce you to the primary regulations and the British / European standards that underpin them to help you understand this site better.

Core UK Health and Safety Legislation

Two main pieces of legislation dictate the responsibilities of employers regarding respiratory protection:

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

COSHH requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health.

The primary principle here is the hierarchy of control as well, where RPE is considered a last resort, to be used only after other reasonably practicable measures (like elimination, substitution, or engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation) have been taken.

When RPE is required, COSHH sets out specific duties for areas such as:

• Correct Selection
• Fit Testing
• Maintenance and Storage
• Training and Information

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended)

These regulations then cover all types of PPE, including RPE.

A significant update in 2022 extended these duties to cover not just permanent employees but also 'limb (b)' workers (more casual, worker-for-a-reward relationships).

As a result, key requirements under these regulations include:

• Provision of Suitable PPE, where a risk assessment indicates a need for PPE, it must be provided free of charge
• Compatibility, if an employee needs to wear more than one type of PPE simultaneously (e.g., a respirator with safety glasses), the items must be compatible and remain effective
• Assessment of Suitability, where the PPE must be effective at protecting against the identified risks without, in itself, creating a greater risk
• Correct Use, employers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the provided PPE is used correctly by employees.

Relevant British and European Standards (BS EN)

To ensure equipment provides reliable protection, all RPE used in the UK must be CE / UKCA marked, signifying that it has been tested and approved to a specific performance standard.

The most common standards for respiratory protection here are, for instance:

Sector-Specific Guidance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also provides specific guidance for industries where respiratory risks are particularly high, such as:

Construction

Here there is a strong focus on controlling dust from materials like silica (in concrete, mortar) and wood, and this guidance often specifies an FFP3 level of protection as the minimum for tasks that generate fine dust, such as cutting or grinding.

Welding

Following evidence linking all welding fumes to cancer, the HSE mandates that suitable engineering controls (e.g., local exhaust ventilation) must be in place.

This, is where RPE is also required, as it must provide adequate protection against the specific fumes and gases generated.

Healthcare

For infectious aerosols, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), NHS guidance mandates the use of fit-tested FFP3 respirators to protect healthcare workers from airborne pathogens.

Types of Respiratory Protection, How to Find the Right Fit for the Hazard You Are Facing?

Choosing the correct type of respirator is more than crucial for effective protection here.

As a result, RPE is broadly categorised into two main types: Respirators (Air-Purifying) and Breathing Apparatus (Air-Supplied).

Respirators (Air-Purifying)

Respirator devices work by filtering contaminants from the air as you breathe.

As a result, they are suitable for environments where there is a sufficient oxygen level (at least 19.5%) and can feature many different types of products, each of which is suitable for different tasks.

For instance, here you have:

Disposable Masks (Filtering Facepieces - FFPs)

Disposable Masks are then lightweight and convenient for protection against dust and other particles.

As a result, they are classified according to their filtering efficiency under the European Standard EN 149:2001+A1:2009:

Half and Full-Face Masks

Half and Full-Face Masks, are then reusable masks that will tend to provide you with a better seal to the face and are used with replaceable filters.

As a result, here you can tend to see standards such as:

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) (EN 12941 & EN 12942)< /h4>

These powered respirator systems then use a battery-powered fan to draw air through a filter and deliver it to a hardtop, hood, or facepiece for instance.

As a result, they are ideal for long-duration tasks as they reduce breathing resistance and offer a higher level of protection (APF of up to 40).

Breathing Apparatus (Air-Supplied)

This type of equipment then provides a supply of clean, breathing air from an independent source and is essential for working in oxygen-deficient atmospheres or where contaminant levels are very high.

As a result, this type of PPE tends to be based around:

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Here, the wearer carries a cylinder of compressed air, providing complete independence from the surrounding atmosphere.

Airline Systems

Wiht airline systems, the air is then supplied from a compressor or cylinder bank through a hose to the wearer's facepiece.

Filters and Cartridges, The Key to Targeted Protection

The effectiveness of reusable respirators really does depend on selecting the correct filter or cartridge for the specific hazard at hand as well.

Here, for instance, filters are colour-coded as well to help you understand which one you need for your risk assessments and application use.

For instance, according to the type of contaminant they protect against under EN 14387, you can tend to see:

Pro Tip: Combination filters are also available to protect against multiple types of contaminants as well.

Why Is Fit Testing Important?

A tight-fitting respirator can only provide its stated protection level if it forms a complete seal with the wearer's face.

As faces come in all shapes and sizes, a "one-size-fits-all" approach is not acceptable here.

As a result, the HSE requires that fit testing is to be carried out for all tight-fitting RPE by a competent person due to this.

As a result, there are two main types of fit testing available here:

Qualitative

Where you will get a pass / fail test that relies on the wearer's sense of taste or smell.

Quantitative

That uses a machine to measure the leakage into the facepiece.

As a result, fit testing should be conducted during the initial selection of RPE and repeated regularly (typically every two years), or if there are any changes to the wearer's facial characteristics - such as significant weight change or dental work, for example, that may change how the respiratory aligns to the face.

How Do You Maintain Your RPE for Continued Safety?

Proper maintenance is really essential to make sure your respiratory protection remains effective, and you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially when it comes to:

Cleaning and disinfection

Especially for reusable masks.

Storage

Keep RPE in a clean, dry place, away from contaminants.

Inspection

Regularly check for signs of wear and tear.

Filter Replacement

Adhere to the recommended replacement schedule.

So Is Respiratory Protection Right For You?

As you can see here at MSC Direct, we offer a comprehensive range of respiratory protection from leading brands, covering all the categories mentioned above.

Our team is also on hand to provide you with expert advice where we can to help you navigate the complexities of RPE selection and ensure you meet your legal obligations while protecting your most valuable asset – your workforce - if you are still unsure about which bit of kit is right for you and your application.

So browse our extensive selection today to find the right solution for your application and make your workplace safe.

Disclaimer

Please note: Even though we have done a good job at explaining this space and what you need to be concerned about easy for you, we obviously can not in one article cover all application uses and areas for your individual applications.

As a result, if at all you are not 100% confident, please contact a trained professional for your exact field, or give our very helpful customer service team a call, as we are also on hand to answer any questions you may personally have, as we may be able to help you further here if you still have questions or you are unsure.

However, all information above should be superseded by what information is in your own personal and individual risk assessments as well as your RAMs.

Contact Customer Support

If you are still not sure about which is the correct respiratory protection for you, or you need help, then for further product information, please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you understand which ones are perfect for you and your team.

Standard Delivery Options

We have also extended our delivery service and ordering hours to offer you free next-working-day delivery with immediate despatch, making your shipping experience even easier.

Place your order online by 7 p.m. and choose the delivery charge that suits you - including next-day dispatch - to ensure you get a timely, UK mainland hassle-free delivery of your products.

Standard free UK delivery is also available for all products ordered within the specified time, with free shipping and a good returns policy for certain items as well.

Who Is MSC Industrial Supply Co.?

Here at MSC Industrial Supply Co., we are a leading supplier of industrial machine tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies across the United Kingdom. As a result, we can offer trade accounts, a vast selection of new and great-value products from tool sets to metalworking cutting tools and lots more, with free next-day delivery on eligible orders as well.

Our extensive range includes everything from hand tools and power tools to specialised hole-making equipment like blacksmith drill bits, core drills, and machine reamers, to name just a few.

As a result, we can provide you with a comprehensive selection of products, including:

• Blacksmith Drill Bits
• Countersink Drill Bits
• Step Drill Bits
• Masonry Drill Bits
• Hand Tools
• Indexable Insert Drills
• Cutting Tools
• Abrasives
• Power Tools
• Reamer Tools
• Safety Equipment
• Centre Drill Bits

As a result, we serve a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to maintenance and beyond. Consequently, our commitment to providing quality products and exceptional customer service makes us a trusted partner for all your industrial needs.

With our knowledgeable customer support team and technical assistance available Monday-Friday, we ensure you have the support you need to succeed.