Page 8 - Occupational Health & Safety, May 2019

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Why Pick a PAPR?
PAPRs are useful and often necessary in many types of hazardous jobs and conditions.
BY JOHN J. LENSS
Respiratory protection is a necessary part of many jobs throughout many different types of industries. Protecting workers from cer- tain hazardous particulates, gases, vapors,
and other contaminants is an important concern that should be top of mind.
Enter the powered air-purifying respirator, com- monly referred to as a PAPR.1 OSHA defines this type of respiratory protection2 as an air-purifying respira- tor that uses a uses a battery-operated motor blower to pull ambient air through an air-purifying element to the inlet covering. A belt-mounted PAPR system typi- cally includes a motor/blower, belt, filter/cartridge, battery, headgear, and a breathing tube.
Although there may be a higher capital expendi- ture when choosing to implement PAPRs into an em- ployer’s respiratory protection program, this expense may be justified in the sense that PAPRs may:
■ Eliminate fit testing if used with loose-fitting facepieces, hoods, or helmets
■ Potentially increase comfort to the wearer
■ Potentially integrate multiple types of PPE into one NIOSH-approved system (head, eye, face, and re- spiratory protection)
Moreover, some types of PAPRs are built to be in- trinsically safe (IS), where certain work environments may require the use of electrical equipment that pre- vents ignition from the devices in certain hazardous atmospheres.
Now, let’s explore some of the key benefits when it comes to selecting a PAPR system.
Easier Breathing, No Fit Test for Loose-Fitting Headgear
A PAPR system uses a blower instead of lung power to draw air through the filter. This allows the user to breathe comfortably with less resistance, as the airflow is delivered directly into the headgear from the blower. Loose-fitting headgear on PAPRs do not require a fit test, unlike tight-fitting disposable and reusable air-purifying respirator options. This can potentially save time and money because fit testing takes time and must be performed at least annually in the United States.
Options for Use with Limited Facial Hair
With any tight-fitting respirator, beards and other facial hair can be a problem, compromising the face seal. But PAPR systems with loose-fitting headgear are designed to accommodate limited facial hair.
8 Occupational Health & Safety | MAY 2019
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This can allow workers to keep their facial hair in certain circumstances.
Integrated Eye Protection
Integrated faceshields on certain headgear for PAPR systems can help protect the eyes and face. At the same time, some headgear models may offer a wider field of vision, which can help the wearers easily view their surroundings. Eyeglasses also may be worn un- der many loose-fitting headgear models.
Integrated PPE from the Neck Up
Non-integrated PPE from multiple manufacturers are often not designed to work as a cohesive “system.” For example, you may wear a hard hat from Company A, eyewear made by Company B, respirator from Com- pany C, and ear muffs sold by Company D. There are certain PAPR systems that include integrated hard hat protection, limited eye and face protection, and re- spiratory protection all incorporated into one system from the same manufacturer.
PAPR Systems: Designed to Be
Integrated and Work as a Single Unit
When using a PAPR approved by NIOSH, the sys- tem is designed to work together as one integrated system. Further, certain PAPR systems may allow you to choose from a wide range of headgear, allow- ing for a customized PAPR solution that works for your environment.
For instance, certain PAPR blowers are compatible with both tight-fitting half-facepiece/full-facepiece respirators and loose-fitting headgear. In some in-
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