Respiratory EquipmentPersonal protection is required by workers to ensure their safety when carrying out welding or cutting. In some circumstances respiratory protection may be required to protect workers from fumes or gases. The sort of respiratory protection available ranges from disposable general dust respirators, respirators designed to be used in specific environments, through to air fed helmets and full breathing apparatus. Simple respirators are normally used for protection in general situations where dust and fume are produced to filter air before being breathed in by the worker. Air fed helmets come in several different types, those that are provided with an integral battery operated fan and filter system and those where air is fed to the helmet via an air-line from a compressor. Each has advantages and disadvantages and also applications where they should or should not be used. Positive pressure air fed hoods and breathing apparatus are intended for use where the worker needs an air supply isolated from the surrounding atmosphere in order to work safely. Whichever type of respiratory protection is used will depend on the prevailing circumstances but each type is intended for use in different situations and it is imperative that the correct type is selected or adequate protection may not be provided.
|
