We all know that when working in construction, mining, oil and gas, and many other industries, the air workers breathe potentially contains hazards if you don’t take the correct precautions. Organic vapours, harmful particles like silica, asbestos or lead dust, acid gas and vapours can all wreak havoc on worker health if inhaled and can lead to some potentially fatal illnesses.
According to a 2022 study commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), approximately 584,050 Australian workers were exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the workplace that year. The report predicted that around 10,390 of those workers are likely to develop lung cancer as a direct result of exposure to silica dust.
That’s why it’s vital to have the correct respiratory protective equipment to keep your workers safe. But RPE ranges from the humble disposable face mask to supplied air respirators complete with their own air cylinder, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. And there’s no point kitting your crew in a full hazmat when a more workable level of protection is appropriate.
Which Air System Should You Use?
Unless the air has unknown contaminants, oxygen deficient, immediately dangerous to life and health and can’t be filtered, a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) may be suitable provides a high level of respiratory protection and a continuous flow of clean air to the wearer.
PAPRs can be fitted with different filters or cartridges to provide protection from various contaminants, including:
- Particulate matter such as dust, silica, and pollen
- Biological agents such as bacteria and viruses
- Chemical vapours, gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Particulate matter in Smoke and fire particles
- Pesticides and agricultural contaminants
- Acid gas and vapours
Remember, it’s important to change these filters regularly according to your established filter change schedule to maintain ongoing protection.
3m PAPRs To Suit Your Needs
3M offers a range of PAPRs and filters depending on the hazards you’re faced with. For example, TR-300+ are best for dust applications including silica. TR-600 work well for chemical and pharmaceutical industries with multiple hazards of particulates and gas/vapours, and the TR-800 are suitable for intrinsically safe environments.
3M’s PAPRs range from PAPR-P3 particulate filters only to Intrinsically Safe motor/blowers with P3 particulate filters as well as multiple chemical gas cartridges. The folks at 3M can help you select the right RPE for your needs. 3M offers a range of ready-to-go PAPR kits.
- Full facepieces for asbestos, silica and dust applications
- Half and full hood head tops ideal for chemical and pharmaceutical industry
- Helmets and face shields ideal for construction, mining, silica and welding applications
“Other benefits of PAPRs are that they can reduce heat stress and user fatigue by having air constantly blowing around the wearer’s face. Plus, you have the added benefit that they can provide multi-hazard personal protective equipment (PPE) to act as a hard hat, face/eye, respiratory and hearing protection all in one with certain head tops,” says Sanya Kranenburg of 3M Personal Safety Division.
“They’re available as loose-fitting hoods or tight-fitting facepieces and they have protection factors up to 100+. For loose fitting head tops on PAPRs, fit testing is not required reducing time off the job and costs compared to tight fitting facepieces. There is also a range of PAPR accessories available like PAPR covers, backpacks, visor peel offs etc.”
Breathing is a basic human need, and it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health. Let your workers breathe easy by investing in the right RPE for the job.
