We're not full of hot air -- respiratory protection is important!

 

Respiratory protection can be a confusing topic. There are so many hazards that require respiratory protection, and many times those hazards are invisible. It can be tempting to ignore invisible hazards -- out of sight, out of mind! And then there are so many different styles of respirators, so how do you know what you have will protect you?

 

Here's a little FAQ that might help you out.

Signs You Might Need Respiratory Protection

 

-       Working in an enclosed space

o   Think about poorly ventilated areas like attics, crawlspaces, grain bins, or storage tanks. Mold, mildew, pests, or asbestos may be concerns in these spaces.

-       Working in an excavated area

o   If the excavation is at a depth of 4 ft or more, air monitoring must take place to ensure the atmosphere is safe. If not, you might be looking at wearing respiratory protection or other safety measures.

-       Any job that sends particles flying around

o   Sanding, sawing, grinding, etc.

-       Pandemics

o   We have to add this one to the list due to COVID-19, so make sure to always follow proper respiratory protection recommended by public health experts.

 

 

What kind of Respiratory Protection do you need?

 

-       Unless you’ve been trained by your employer and assigned a specific respirator, it’s not your job to determine this. There are many different types of respiratory protection, and they’re all for fairly specific situations. Approach your employer for clarification. If your supervisors or management team has questions, TT&S is always happy to help!

 

Respirators are not comfortable to wear and I hardly see anyone wearing one. Do I really need to wear one?

 

-       Not everyone is educated about the consequences of skipping respirator use. There’s lots of things that can go wrong depending on what type of particulate you’re dealing with, but long story short, the respirators are there to protect your lungs. Sometimes the bad effects from not using a respirator are not felt for twenty or even thirty years down the line! So if you don’t wear one and feel fine, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. 

 

-    Not wearing a respirator when you’re supposed to can lead to difficulty breathing, lung cancer, or catching a disease like hantavirus. So the stakes are pretty high.

 

-    If the style of respirator is truly uncomfortable, it's worth bringing it up to your supervisor. There are many different styles of respirators, and chances are there is one that might work better for you while still providing protection.