Respiratory Protection Information
Standards
EN149:1991 - Filtering face piece 
EN149:2001 - Filtering face piece
EN405 - Maintenance free half masks
EN136 - Full face mask
EN137 - Filtering face piece
EN140 - Half mask
EN141 - Gas and vapour filters
EN143 - Particulate filters
EN146 - Filtering face piece
EN149 - Filtering face piece for particulates
EN371 - Gas and combined filters
EN12941 - Power hoods and helmets
EN12942 - Powered full face masks
How to select the correct respiratory equipment
- Identification of the hazard
- Dusts* - Sanding, cutting , grinding and brushing
- Mists* - Spraying, cutting, cleaning and grinding
- Fumes* - Welding, smelting and pouring metals
- Vapours - Methylated spirits, petrol and degreasers
- Gases - Air like at room temperatures and have the ability to travel a long way very quickly
- Oxygen Deficient - Note: Normal respiratory equipment will not protect against this hazard.
- Access and understand the hazard
Ensure that you fully understand the hazard and the correct respiratory equipment is selected also the correct eyewear and skin protection may need to be selected. - Select the correct type of respiratory equipment
- Disposable masks
- Half masks
- Full face masks
- Powered
- Airline
- Escape
- Training for user and care of the respirator
Employer must supply suitable equipment for the employee
Employer must supply training including face fit testing COSHH regulations (2002)
Qualitative fit test for disposable masks and half masks
Quatitative fit test for full face masks
Equipment must be maintained and records kept.
Qualitative Fit Test Kits
New legislation from the Health & Safety Executive means that all wearers of tight fitting face pieces,
i.e. full/half face masks and disposable masks should be fit tested. If the fit is inadequate it will significantly reduce the protection provided
to the wearer.
COSHH regulations require employers of wearers of face masks to conduct a Fit Test Check on all wearers of respiratory products
to ensure adequate protection.
Filter Guide
For use against Gas & Vapour (EN141 & EN405)
- A Brown* - for use with Organic vapours with a boiling point greater than 65oc
- B Grey* - to be used with Inorganic gases & Vapour eg Chlorine (NOT Carbon Monoxide)
- E Yellow* - to be used with Acid gases & Vapour eg. Sulphur Dioxide and other acidic gases
- K Green* - for use with Ammonia and organic ammonia derivatives
- P White* - for protection against Particuate
For use against Particles (EN143 & EN149)
- P1 White* - for protection against coarse, solid particles (low toxicity)
- P2 White* - for protection against solid and/or liquid aerosols (low to average toxicity)
- P3 White* - for protection against solid and/or liquid aerosols (high toxicity)
For use against Gas & Vapour (EN371)
- AX Brown* - Certain organic compounds with boiling points less than 65c
*Filter Type & Colour Code
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