Selection of Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) for Hazardous Substances

A hazardous substance is defined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, commonly known as COSHH. These include chemicals (e.g. mercury, ammonia gas, caustic soda), products (e.g. paints, oils, fertilisers) and the byproducts of work (e.g. welding fume, wood dust). The suppliers of a hazardous substance must provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to help you to decide who to make use safe.  Hazardous substances can be present in the workplace in different physical states, including:

• Gases such as chlorine and ammonia
• Liquids such as solvents, petrols and paints
• Solids and dusts such as slate, powdered chemicals, flour, cement dust, silica and wood dust
• Solids that produce dangerous gases with moisture (e.g. cyanide, phosphide) or that give off vapours (e.g. phenol, metaldehyde, naphthalene, iodine)
• Fumes arising from welding, soldering and burning metals
• Fibres such as asbestos, glass wool, Rockwool and refractory ceramic fibres
• Mists and sprays such as battery acid mist from re-charging or from tasks such as paint spraying
• Vapours generated by petrol, solvents, thinners or products like paints and varnishes.
  

Breathing in hazardous substances can cause ill health. In some cases it can lead to early death.

Respirators and breathing apparatus (RPE) is used in workplaces to protect workers when working with hazardous substances. RPE comes with various forms of face-piece, such as helmets, visors, hoods or masks.  It should only be used as the last option after you have taken all other reasonable steps to control the exposure, and improve air quality and ventilation in your work area. Your justification for using RPE should be clear in your risk assessment, which needs to be written if you have five or more employees.

If you use RPE, or are responsible for the selection and use of RPE in your company, the link from this page will provide you with information and guidance on how, when and why to select the correct equipment.  You can use the RPE Selector Tool to determine what kind of equipment your workers will need for a hazardous substance, task and work area involved.

http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/personal-protective-equipment/rpe.aspx