What Is Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)?

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) used to protect you against the inhalation of hazardous substances. There are many work environments where RPE is vital to remain safe, and others may opt to wear RPE as a precautionary measure.

Respirators are protective equipment that utilises filtering devices. They use filters to remove contaminants from the air being breathed in, protecting the wearer’s lungs and respiratory system. They split into two other smaller types:

• Powered respirators use a motor to push air through the filter, delivering a clean air supply.
• Non-powered respirators rely on the wearer’s breathing rather than a motor to draw air through the filter.

Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment

The right type of RPE will depend on the activities they are worn for. The range of protective masks and respiratory protective equipment available ensures there is an effective solution for all environments, providing the required level of protection and additional functionalities. Clear masks, for example, feature a transparent anti-fog front panel that allows for easy lip-reading and limits the risk of contamination and infection. These are some other effective types of respiratory protective equipment with varying levels of protection:

IIR Face Masks
Type IIR face masks adhere to EN14683 and have a three-ply construction. This minimises the risk of large particles reaching the wearer. They also feature splash resistance to protect against spillages or fluids. They typically have a pleat-style appearance with ear loops for comfortable wear.

FFP2 Face Masks
FFP2 face masks provide a moderate level of protection. They can protect you against hazardous mists, fumes, and smaller particulates. FFP2 masks sometimes feature exhalation valves as wearers may experience some breathing resistance. These valves can also help improve comfort for the wearer as heat can escape more easily. FFP2 RPE protects against hay, granite dust, lead dust, softwood dust, brake dust and cotton dust, as well as other particulates. It is also suitable for specialised industries such as mining and metalworks.

FFP3 Respirators
FFP3 respirators provide the highest respiratory protection available in a disposable face mask. Fitted properly, FFP3 RPE can protect against fine toxic particulates. These can include bacteria, viruses, radioactive particles, and asbestos. These masks almost always feature exhalation valves for comfort and are an effective choice for industries such as pharmaceuticals and chemistry.

The right Respiratory Protective Equipment for your environment
Choosing the most effective respiratory protective equipment for your environment will protect against airborne hazards. Don’t forget the importance of a fit test to ensure a correctly worn mask and feel safe and confident in any given activity.