Respiratory equipment

Respiratory equipment 

Respiratory protective equipment at work

  

Work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume. For example, when:

■cutting a material such as stone or wood; 

■using a product containing volatile solvents;

■handling a dusty powder; 

■welding stainless steel

Workers may also need to work in areas where oxygen levels are or may become low, for example:

■confined spaces, such as a trench, silo or tank 

RPE is a particular type of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful substances or from oxygen-deficient atmospheres when other controls are either not possible or insufficient on their own.

There are many different RPE types designed to: 

■protect the wearer from a variety of hazards; 

■suit a variety of work situations;  

■match the specific requirements of the wearer.  

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