Initially identifying the hazards to the respiratory system within manufacturing environments can be done by conducting a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment - and this will determine the choice of  respiratory protective equipment.

Attending to worker welfare,  and improving worker protection and comfort will help create a healthier and safer environment for a workforce. This belief - which ought to be pretty much a ‘given’ nowadays -  is manifest in 3M’s extensive modular range of powered and supplied air respirators. The range has been developed so that the user can choose the respirator needed, with the flexibility to change in the future.

You simply select a headtop and a modular belt unit to give you the protection you require.  The versatile range covers many industrial applications and the attention to design means that any combination delivers a refreshing air flow, comfortable headtop and options of integrated head, face and eye protection. Once the level of respiratory protection has been decided the user can begin the selection process, taking the working conditions into consideration, matching a 3M headtop to either a 3M Powered Air Turbo Unit or a 3M Supplied Air Regulator.

3M has developed five series of hoods, visors, helmets and welding shields to provide a broad selection of headtop designs that are suitable for use in many different industrial applications so that users can choose the best one for the job:
- 3M 100 Series Hoods - Lightweight hoods. The range features increasing levels of coverage and protection
- 3M 400 Series Visors - Eye and face protection from impact and chemical splash
- 3M 600 Series Welding Shields - Welding applications and impact protection
- 3M 700 & 800 Series Helmets - Hard hat and bump cap protection with eye protection.

In addition to the modular range, the Speedglas 9000 auto-darkening welding shield for use with the Jupiter or Dustmaster Powered Air Turbo units completes the range.  Real attention has been paid to the ergonomic design of the headtops to ensure maximum wearer comfort without compromising protection. Each of the modular headtops can be combined with any of the Jupiter or Dustmaster powered air turbo units or Flowstream supplied air regulators.

What hazards cause respiratory damage? Initially identifying the hazards to the respiratory system by conducting a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment will help to choose the correct respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and there are six main respiratory hazards:
- Dust, which describes a range of small, dry particles
- Mists, tiny liquid droplets formed either by atomisation or condensation processes
- Fume, a fine aerosol that can be chemically or thermally generated
- Gases, substances that become airborne at room temperature and can spread freely and quickly
- Vapours, the gaseous state of substances that are either liquids or solids at room temperature.  These are formed when substances evaporate
- Oxygen deficiency, this occurs when the level of oxygen in the atmosphere falls below 19.5 per cent by volume.  The risk of oxygen deficiency should always be taken into account before carrying out work in confined spaces

RPE Selection RPE can be broken into two main types: air filtering and air supplying.  Air filtering devices include disposable respirators, half and full masks and powered air (turbo unit) respirators.  Air supplying devices include equipment that delivers air from either a cylinder (self contained breathing apparatus) or compressor (air fed equipment). 
 
If an air filtering device is selected, the correct filter must be matched to the hazard and there are three types of filter to consider: particulate, gas & vapour and combination.  Air supplied devices are generally selected when the gas/vapour hazard has ‘poor warning properties’ (wearer can’t smell and/or taste substance at a safe level), it’s a static job location (eg paint spraying, assembly line where the user does not move around) or if HSE guidance dictates.  Self contained breathing apparatus is typically selected in oxygen deficient environments or where levels are immediately dangerous to life or health.

3M’s Product Manager for powered & supplied air and welding respirators, Mike Cottam, explains: ‘We are determined to ensure that workers are healthy and safe and that they are also working in comfort. That is why we have developed such an extensive range of products, giving our customers the versatility they need.  We offer such a wide range of powered and supplied air and welding respirators that can be mixed and matched.’ For more information please call the company’s  health and safety helpline: 0870 60 800 60 or 1 800 320 500 (Republic of Ireland).

www.3m.com/uk/ohes