Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE)

RPE are devices to protect the respiratory system which are designed to guard
against dust, fumes, gases and vapours. The design of a respiratory protection
device is based on one of the distinct principles, namely :

The filtration and/or absorption of contaminants from the local atmosphere

which allows the wearer to breathe the local air safely.
The provision of a source of breathing air which is independent of the
surrounding atmosphere.

There are two quite separate classes of RPE for protection against respiratory
hazards, as described below.

Respirators
This class of RPE purifies the surrounding air being breathed into the lungs
through the nose and mouth. The contaminated air is drawn through a filter,
chemical, or combination of filter and chemical that removes the harmful
substances before they can cause harm to the health of the wearer. The
amount of protection offered to the wearer depends upon the efficiency of the
filter.
Breathing Apparatus
Breathing Apparatus (BA) has its own supply of air from an uncontaminated
source. The air is that breathed by the wearer is supplied either from
cylinders direct to the wearer or by a compressor and/or cylinders that are
situated well away from the hazardous substances causing the respiratory
hazards, via an airline to the wearer.

Filter Respirators
Filter respirators are devices in which ambient air passes through a filter being
inhaled. They can be unassisted or powered and there are several different types of
filter respirator. The most common types of respirator are described below along
with a description of some of their advantages and disadvantages.
Filter respirators are only filters they must not be used in oxygen-deficient
atmospheres.
Two types of filter may be used in filter respirators with replaceable filter
elements/cartridges. They may also be used in combination to form a third type and
the three types are :

Gas filters which remove specified gases and vapours.

Particle filters which remove airborne solid and/or liquid particles.
Combined filters which remove solid and/or liquid particles, and specified
gases and vapours.

Type of Filter
Particle

Gas and Vapour

Combined

Typical Applications
building dust (cement,plaster)
sulphuric acid, zinc oxide
asbestos, cadmium oxide,
paraquat (weedkiller), fluoride,
zinc chromate
benzene, glycol, solvents,
tetrachloromethane, tetraethyl
lead, toluene and xylene (paint
additives)
chlorine, ethyl mercaptans,
hydrochloric acid, hydrogen
sulphide, methyl isocyanate
sulphur dioxide, hydrochloric acid
ammonia
oil mists and vapours,
dichlorobenzene, naphthalene
lindane, polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), phenol
mercury compounds
Filter or Cartridge Type Respirator

This type of respirator has a rubber or neoprene mask with head straps and
threaded attachments for fitting filters or cartridges. The masks are
obtainable in two styles, Half-Mask which is similar in design to the filter mask
and only covers the nose, mouth and chin. And Full-Face which consists of a
half mask fitted inside another mask with a clear visor and face seal that
extends to the forehead of the wearer. This provides eye protection as well as
breathing protection.
Canister Type Respirator
This type of respirator has a rubber or neoprene full-face mask. The face
mask is connected by flexible hose to a canister that contains the filter
medium and is usually worn on a blet around the waist or on a full body
harness. Canister type respirators can be tiring to wear for long periods as air
has to be pulled through the filter(s) by the lungs. They also require
considerable maintenance and frequent recorded checking that the effective
life of the filter medium in the canister has not expired.
Powered Respirators

These types are very similar to the filter respirator with the addition of a
battery-driven fan, after the filter(s). Some manufacturers make Helmet
Powered respirators where the fan and the filter are built in to the back of
safety helmet that is provides with a clear visor extending down the front of
the helmet to below the wearers chin. This provide constant flow of
breathable air to the nose and mouth.

Breathing Apparatus (BA)

There are several different types of BA and they all enable the wearer to breathe
independently of the surrounding atmosphere by providing a pressure-fed air supply
that comes from an uncontaminated source. Used correctly, BA will provide
protection from all breathing health hazards.
All BA used in companies operation shall be of the Positive Pressure type and shall
maintain a pressure inside the mask or hood that is above atmospheric pressure at
all times when worn. This prevents the entry of toxic or hazardous atmospheres to
the breathing zone of the wearer should the mask become dislodged or the mask
not form a total seal against contours of the wearers face.
Air-Fed Hoods and Helmets

Air-fed hoods and helmets are a very simple type of BA. Air-fed hoods consist
of simple hoods of clear plastic material that cover the whole head to the
shoulders. Beneath the hood is attached a strong fabric collar that covers the
shoulders and upper chest. Air is constantly fed from a breathing air supply,
via a hose and cooler unit, directly into the hood. The air supply will be direct
from a compressor which is capable of supplying breathing quality air. Air-fed
helmets are very similar, but use an industrial standard helmet with a clear
visor, that protects the whole head and face, instead of the plastic hood.
Air-line Breathing Apparatus
This type of BA is very commonly used in the petroleum industry. It consists
of a Full-Face mask similar in design to that of Cartridge Type Respirators. The
face mask is fitted with a demand valve which allows a supply of air to be
breathed by the wearer when he inhales. The demand regulator is fitted to a
long airline that leads to a pressurised supply of breathing quality air. The air
supply will be either direct from a compressor which is capable of supplying
breathing quality air or from cylinders that have been filled from such a
compressor.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Self-contained breathing apparatus is equipped with a similar mask to airline
BA but the air supply to the demand regulator comes from a compressed air
cylinder that is attached to a back plate carried on the wearers back. It is

also equipped with a pressure gauge from the compressed air cylinder so that
the wearer may check the cylinder contents.

Energy Breathing Apparatus

This is a smaller version of a self contained breathing apparatus set. It is
equipped with a mask or hood with an air supply from a small compressed air
cylinder. The cylinder is not normally mounted on a back plate but is
contained in a bag or has straps so that it may be carried by the wearer. It is
only intended for escape from areas where breathing hazards exist, or a likely
to exist, to areas where it is safe to breathe, or other types of BA are
available. It must only be used for escape purposes and not for any type of
work or rescue.
Compressed Breathing Air
Breathing air systems shall as far as possible be dedicated solely to that
purpose. General service or tool air systems shall not be used. Instrument air
systems may be used providing adequate filtering, warning and back-up
systems are installed in the event of failure of the instrument air supply.

Problems
There are variety of industrial injuries or diseases that can be caused if
insufficient PPE or unsuitable PPE equipment been issued. The problem with
these conditions is that they can take years to surface, by which point the
damage is already done and in many cases, is irreversible but this could
have been prevented if workers had been provided with appropriate personal
protective equipment.
Below are the accidents or injuries that could happen when PPE is not being
used:

Crushed limbs, toes and fingers can occur this injuries could happen
when safety boots and gloves are not used.
Lacerations and amputations can occur among employees that work
with chainsaws and other bladed tools, whilst head and brain injuries
can occur where no helmets or hard hats are issued.
Dire accidents and fatalities can occur where faulty harnesses and
safety ropes are issued.
A lack of air filtration masks, respirators or protective clothing can lead
to bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and
etc.

Below are the case studies showing how accidents occur when there is a lack
usage of PPE when handling work in the Oil and Gas Industry.

http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/personal-injury/unsuitable-equipmentblame-workers-injury.htm

Estimated Proposal Budget

The following is an estimate and summary of the proposal budget which

comes to BND$269,900, which are largely single time fees associated with
opening the store.
BND$
Start-up Expenses1
Legal
Brochures
Consultants
Rent
Expensed Equipment
Other/Utilities
Initial Store Facilities
Total Expenses
Start-up Assets2
Cash Required
Start-up Inventory
Total Assets
Project Personnel3
Administrator
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivables
Sales Coordinator
Sales Executive
Logistics
Storekeeper
Driver
Total Wages
Total Budget

$2,400
$3,500
$4,000
$2,000
$50,000
$3,000
$150,000
$214,900

$1,000
$50,000
$51,000

$500/month
$550/month
$500/month
$650/month
$500/month
$500/month
$400/month
$400/month
$4,000
$269,900

1 Expenses- The organization would require

2
3