Page 4 - FT RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

WHEN SHOULD A RESPIRATOR BE USED?

Workers should use respirators for protection from contaminants in the air only if other hazard control
methods are not practical or possible under the circumstances. Respirators should not be the first choice
for respiratory protection in workplaces. They should only be used:

• When following the “hierarchy of control” is not possible (elimination, substitution, engineering
or administrative controls)
• While engineering controls are being installed or repaired
• When emergencies or other temporary situations arise (e.g., maintenance operations)

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RESPIRATOR?

The use of incorrect respiratory protective method can cause considerable health risks and diseases.

Four (4)

STEPS
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

in choosing

your respirator

Contaminants:
GASES are substances which at an ambient temperature and pressure are in a liquid or solid state and
pass to a gaseous state through boiling or evaporation processes (examples of gas are oxygen, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide).

VAPORS are substances which at an ambient temperature and pressure become gaseous through
evaporation from a liquid or a solid (examples of vapors are a etone, toluene and hexane). For protection
against this type of contaminant it requires a carbon layer filter suitably treated to selectively absorb
different substances.

MISTS are tiny droplets that are formed from liquid materials through condensation and atomization
processes.

FUMES are formed when a solid material is vaporized through high temperature. The vapor cools quickly
and condenses into extremely fine particles.

DUSTS are formed when a solid material is decomposed into tiny fragments.

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