Page 63 - Occupational Health & Safety, July 2017

Ease of use is especially pertinent during emergency situations because time becomes one of the most precious commodities. As a result, the chosen device should be quick and easy to don, user friendly, and lightweight so that the emergency escape process is as efficient as possible. For example, if workers are in a situation where airborne toxins are an immediate threat and a quick evacu- ation is imperative, workers may find their solution in an escape hood. Oftentimes escape hoods are easy to don and doff, and they are also compact and easily transported.
The respirator’s material composition is also vital to quality and reliability. Impenetrable materials help ensure that workers have the highest degree of protection in a situation that could leave them exposed to a variety of gases, vapors, and particles. Take a worker in the oil and gas industry, for example—this field can expose workers to hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, which is a corrosive, flammable gas that is life threatening, especially at high levels. Safety managers should look for a respirator that not only protects workers from H2S, but is flame resistant, as well.
6. Once safety managers have chosen their respirator of choice, what’s the best way to maintain good equipment hygiene? It’s always an important step to maintain devices properly. Maintaining equipment hygiene not only extends the device’s lifes- pan—lowering the total cost of ownership and long-term mainte- nance costs—but it also means the device is being kept in quality condition, allowing it to function at the greatest capacity to ensure workers are fully protected. In respiratory devices, change the fil-
ters according to manufacturer specifications, which for some de- vices may even double the product’s service life.
Cleaning and disinfecting the device after each use—even if the equipment is used in fit testing or training situations—and stor- ing the equipment in containers that are protected against damage, contamination, and extreme temperatures are also maintenance best practices. Taking these steps not only helps extend the prod- uct’s longevity, but it can reduce the risk of secondhand exposure to toxins, as well.
When it comes to storage, keep in mind that emergency equip- ment should not only be stored in an accessible location, but also should be properly packaged so that it’s safe from damage and read- ily deployable during situations where the clock is ticking away.
If safety managers are unsure of how to properly tackle the maintenance process of emergency respiratory devices, many or- ganizations and equipment manufacturers offer trainings to help safety managers and workers keep up to date with the latest statu- tory requirements and standards and can provide more best prac- tices specific to the respirator device of choice.
REFERENCES
1. http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/news-and-media/press-room/ reporters-guide-to-fire-and-nfpa/consequences-of-fire
2. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/standardsdev/cbrn/escape/concepts/pdfs/ apercon6-15.pdf
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