For miners working in hazardous environments, often underground, the choice of respirator is critical. Respirators protect them from a range of potentially deadly substances, including respirable crystalline silica (RCS), respirable coal dust, welding fumes and diesel particulate matter. Yet respirators can be challenging to wear.
Facial hair has to go for tight-fitting respirator facepieces. Facepieces can feel restrictive. Fit testing is necessary but time consuming. Hot air builds up with physical work, increasing breathing resistance. Communication can be difficult without taking the respirator off. The combination of respirator, hearing protection and eye/face protection weighs miners down.
3M’s VersafloTM Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) systems offer next-level comfort, helping reduce fatigue and preserve productivity over long shifts. The range includes three battery-powered blower units with different filters depending on the hazard environment:
The modular system is supremely versatile. All headtops, air delivery units and breathing tubes are compatible. Just mix and match as workers move between different areas and hazard levels. Choose from belt or backpack-mounted options, with components suitable for various dust and moisture levels.
The right respirators can make a big difference to safety and performance. The benefits of the system include:
The blower delivers a continuous flow of filtered air to the helmet. Miners breathe freely inside the headtop, while the PAPR-P3 particulate filter does the hard work of capturing dust, RCS and other particulate matter.
The continuous flow of air doesn’t increase breathing resistance (unlike a negative pressure air purifying respirator), helping reduce fatigue. Miners can control the airflow level to the helmet, helping them stay cooler. The system components are lightweight and ergonomic.
The system has a number of loose-fitting headtop options, so fit testing to ensure a tight seal against the face isn’t required. This saves time, and the loose fit accommodates many different styles of facial hair.
There’s no need to weigh workers down with multiple types of PPE. The impact-resistant integrated face shield avoids the need for separate eye protection. Add earmuffs with in-helmet microphone and two-way radio communication for both hearing protection and improved communication.
Mark Reggers, 3M Specialist Application Engineer (Respiratory), says comfort is a critical factor in the effectiveness of all PPE, including respirator systems. “Our advanced PAPR system is comfortable and easy to use. With the correct loose-fitting headtop, it’s even comfortable for miners with facial hair,” he says. ‘Workers stay safe and compliant, and are likely to be happier and more productive.”
As Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, Blackwoods has all your job requirements covered. Shop the 3M Versaflo TM PAPR range on site.
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